LED Pimple Patches Are a Thing, So I Put One to the Test

Acne might warn me that my period is on its way and give me a heads-up when a product just isn’t going to work for my skin, but who am I kidding? Breakouts f*cking suck. I started experiencing them for the first time when I hit my late 20s, and for a while, things were pretty touch-and-go. There were a few months when I refused to leave the house because I couldn’t handle the thought of other people seeing my face. Yes, I’m dramatic, but it was jarring. I now take an oral acne medication, which helps keep things in check, but I do still experience acne at all the fun times I listed previously.

Usually, I rely on a few key products to help, and recently, I was introduced to something that has become my No. 1 tool for kicking acne’s ass: the Riki Love Riki Miracle LED Patch ($105). It’s like a pimple patch, but it treats acne with LED light. For the unfamiliar, LED (light-emitting diode) therapy is a treatment originally developed by NASA that utilizes different wavelengths of light to combat signs of acne and aging, among other things. The Miracle LED Patch uses red and blue light to help treat blemishes quickly.

Ahead, keep scrolling to read my full review of the patch.

About the Riki Love Riki Miracle LED Patch

• This product is a portable, reusable, rechargeable, silicone LED therapy patch.
• It is FDA-cleared.
• It uses red and blue LED light to treat acne, reduce inflammation, and balance sebum production.
• The patch has six LED bulbs.
• Each treatment “session” is six minutes in length.
• The product includes an LED patch, a travel charging case, 20 large adhesive patches, 20 small tape patches, a charging cable, and protective eyewear.

What I Like About the Riki Love Riki Miracle LED Patch

First and foremost: it works. Since using it, I’ve noticed it helps diminish acne marks faster than if I didn’t treat them at all, and it’s extremely easy to use. Although it requires a couple of extra steps compared to my typical LED face masks, it was easy to get the hang of the first time I tested it out. It’s also compact, so it’s perfect for bringing with me when I’m traveling or if I’m on the go. I love my LED face masks, but they aren’t really practical for taking with me on trips. I can also toss it in my purse without worrying about it becoming damaged since it comes with a travel case that also charges it.

The first time I used the LED patch, I was worried it would feel cumbersome or heavy hanging onto the side of my face, but besides the fact that I could see it in my peripheral vision, I barely noticed it was there. In all honesty, it fits into my self-care routine seamlessly, and I love that it offers a targeted approach to clearing up breakouts.

How to Use the Riki Love Riki Miracle LED Patch

The brand recommends testing the adhesive on your hand prior to using it on your face to make sure your skin is not sensitive to the product. From there, if skin is clean and dry, select either a small or large piece of adhesive depending on the size of the blemishes, peel off the film on the “down” side, and then apply it to the the treatment area. Next, apply the miracle patch directly on top, place the battery on top of the patch, and then press the “heart” button. The treatment lasts six minutes. It should not be used for longer than 40 minutes.

Because this patch is so tiny, I can use it at any point of my day. It’s small and compact, so I can work while I wear it, wash dishes – I could probably even drive, although I haven’t tested that out yet. I’m all about multitasking, so I like using it while I’m sitting at my computer or reading on the couch. I typically put it on as soon as I feel a zit coming, especially if it seems like it’s going to be an under-the-skin pimple. I usually do two rounds of six minutes for each blemish, at least three days in a row.

What to Consider Before Trying the Riki Love Riki Miracle LED Patch

Something to consider before buying this product is that although it does work well, it’s not a one-and-done purchase. The product comes with 40 adhesive strips in two different sizes, plus six additional strips in the charging case, but once you run out of adhesive strips, you will need to purchase more, because you can’t use the LED patch without them. Additional boxes of 40 adhesive strips will run you $20 each.

This product should not be used near recent steroid injections, if you are undergoing any photosensitizing treatments, and it is not recommended for anyone pregnant or under the age of 13.

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