Photobiomodulation is the term researchers use for what happens when cells absorb light at particular wavelengths. Red and near-infrared light have been studied for decades, first in wound healing and later in skin care, and the mechanism is reasonably well described even where the clinical evidence is still being built.
What absorbs the light
Inside every cell there are mitochondria, the structures that produce the cell's energy. A protein in the mitochondria called cytochrome c oxidase absorbs red and near-infrared light. When it does, the cell produces more of its energy molecule, ATP, and releases signalling molecules that affect how the cell behaves. That is the whole basis of the field: light in, more cellular activity out.
Why the wavelength matters
Different wavelengths reach different depths. Blue light at around 415 nm stays at the surface, which is why it is used for blemish-prone skin, where the bacteria live. Red light at around 635 nm reaches the dermis, the layer where fibroblasts make collagen and elastin. Near-infrared at 830 nm goes deeper still, and far-infrared at 1072 nm deeper again. A mask that carries all four can address the surface and the layers underneath in the same session.
What the studies look at
Published trials on LED masks and panels mostly measure skin roughness, wrinkle depth, redness, and how people rate their own skin after eight to twelve weeks of regular use. Most report improvement over that period. Results vary between studies and between people, and the effect builds slowly rather than arriving overnight.
What it is not
Light at these intensities does not heat the skin, does not contain UV, and does not tan or burn. It is also not a treatment for any medical condition. SilkSkin is a general wellness product, and if you have a skin condition or take medication that makes you sensitive to light, ask your doctor before using it.