Chief Pretty Officer | (CPO) Record 19 Counter Edition. The TL;DR | Follow the Light In parts one and two, we covered the why and the how. Now we get into the what. Part three of the device series breaks down LED what it does, why it works, and what to look for before you spend. The Counter is loaded with real devices at every price point. Wherever you see an underline, lean in. That's where the good stuff lives. This is not a shopping list it's a starting point. Choose with your needs as the lens.

Editor's Note | CPO Counter. The Light Matters.

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​The device series is four parts. I broke it up on purpose because the first draft read like a school report and I'm not here for that. Neither are you.

In part one, we talked about grief, life quakes, how they shape you and the control I needed to get a hold of them. In part two, we talked about time, research and expectations.

Now in parts three and four we bring it all together: how to do the research, how to find the right device for your needs, where to read the reviews and how to use the Counter resources to go deeper.

Part three is LED devices: what works and why. ​
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​Part four covers microcurrent tools that actually make sense.

If you currently receive injections, I strongly recommend adding a device as a supplementary tool. It will help extend the time between your sessions. And if life happens such as job loss, funds dry up or plans change, it's your Plan B. You're welcome.

Before we get into it: every product I recommend across all of our series has a hyperlink. Wherever you see an underline, lean in. That's where the good stuff lives.

The Counter is where I lean in and slip you where to shop. Every recommendation is a starting point, not a prescription. No product or device is wrong. What matters is that you choose based on your own needs as the lens.

LED- I am going to keep this simple

LED uses light to wake your skin up. Red light goes deep, tells your cells to make more collagen. Blue light stays on the surface, kills acne, bacteria and exfoliates the skin. We also have different kinds of LEDS out today that help with brightening of the skin like orange LED.

Why it matters: Your body stops producing collagen the way it used to. LED is one of the only at-home tools that actually signals your skin to make its own. Not injected. Not synthetic. Yours.

One data point worth keeping: 90–120 days is your baseline. If you see something small before that, great but don't chase it. Stay the course.

And read the directions. I mean it. Some LED tools require daily use for the first 30 days that's the active stimulation phase, waking the cells up. Then you scale down. That protocol exists for a reason.

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Here is an unpopular opinion: if you are only willing to commit to once a week, don't bother. You won't see results and you shouldn't spend the money. You need to invest the time. I'm not saying suffer, I'm saying dedicate the time.

Not all devices are standalone.
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You are buying a system. Use it.

Some LED tools work with whatever serum you already have or nothing at all. Others come as a system. Their own serum, their own gel, their own activator. And that is not a suggestion, that is how the device was designed to work.

If the device you are considering comes with its own products, those products are part of the investment. There is no workaround. The formula is often what conducts or activates the light. Without it, you are not getting what you paid for.

So before you buy, know what you are buying into. Not just the device, the full system.

Don't make the mistake of someone I know who bought the device, skipped the required products then complained about the discomfort and called the system faulty. That's not a faulty system. That's user error.

If you're going to do this right,use the products that come with it. If you're not willing to buy them, don't buy the system. It's that simple.

Don't break the system.

Some of the devices I'll share with you are part of a system. Choose wisely.

Before you shop, know what you're looking for.

Design matters. A mask straps on,you sit, you wait and you're done.
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A wand is hands-on,you're working specific areas yourself. Neither is better. But one fits your life and the other collects dust. Be honest about which one you'll actually use.
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CPO Opinion: I prefer a hands-on approach. I enjoy using my hands and the tools ("wands") to learn and shape the material. This active involvement keeps me focused and allows me to directly address and correct issues.

Check the settings. Some devices let you adjust intensity, that matters as your skin adapts. Most have timers that shut off when the session is done. Some even have percussive massage built in. These aren't dealbreakers, but they're worth knowing before you spend.

Keep the instruction booklets. Some of these devices come with booklets, keep them. Sometimes they have a serial number that is attached to your device. If something happens to your device the booklet has instructions. Customer service. If you are someone that does injections you def want to read the instructions.

Devices for your face come with responsibility, it's your face, choose wisely.

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CPO COUNTER THE DEVICE RECOS. A quick note: all areas marked by an underline are hyperlinked to the website Please feel free to choose your preferred path and begin filling them in. This is the Counter for LED. ​ ​ Luxe Level: NIRA Pro Laser​ $649 FDA cleared | Handheld wand | Cordless, rechargeable | ​ ​ ​ ​NIRA Pro Laser ​ ​ ​Product Details NIRA's non-fractional lasers directly heat the dermis to rebuild collagen for lasting wrinkle reduction in 5 minutes/day; red light (LED) boosts cellular activity more gently, but is less targeted and needs longer, ongoing sessions to maintain results.Same goal, deeper reach. The NIRA Pro uses fractional laser technology to target fine lines and wrinkles with precision. It's a wand, not a mask, which means you're directing the treatment exactly where you need it around the eyes, mouth, forehead, the areas that show time first. Standalone device, no proprietary products required. ​ Why We Love It for CPO This is the precision tool. NIRA lets you go where the work actually needs to happen. What I love about this tool that I personally own is that you can use it around the eyes and target your fine lines. This can also be used on hands and feet. Yup! ​ It's the difference between painting a wall and detailing a corner. If you know your concern areas and you want to target them specifically, this is the investment. It's also standalone with no system, no extra products, no hidden costs. Worth every pretty penny. Luxe Level: Thera Face Mask​ $649.99 ​Therabody TheraFace Mask​ Product Details 648 LED lights red, red + infrared, and blue in a full-face mask. Clinically proven to firm and smooth skin while reducing fine lines and dark spots in as little as 8 weeks. It also has built-in vibration massage for the face. This is a mask, strap it on, sit back, let it work. ​ Why We Love It for CPO This mask does more than glow. It visibly reduces fine lines, lightens dark spots, evens out your tone, and improves texture. And the vibration massage means you're not just treating your skin you're giving yourself a moment. ​ Most LED masks just sit there. This one works while it sits. Therabody built their name on recovery science with Theragun. They brought that same thinking to your face. ​ ​Smart Standard: ​ ​Onmilux Contour Face ​ $395 ​ ​Omnilux Contour Face​ Product Details ​ Dermatologist-recommended red and near-infrared LED mask. FDA cleared for the treatment of full-face wrinkles. Clinically proven to reduce fine lines, promote healthier, younger-looking skin, and unveil a brighter,more radiant complexion. Noninvasive and gentle on the skin. ​ Why We Love It for CPO This is the one the professionals use at home. Omnilux built their name in clinical settings, dermatologist offices, medical spas and brought that same technology into this mask. FDA cleared, clinically proven, 600K customers. 10 minutes a session, no proprietary products required. If you want the mask that came from the treatment room this is it. ​ ​Pretty Basics: Therashield ​ ​​ ​$90.00​ ​I apologize for showing you a mask that is currently sold out! This particular mask is so popular right now because of its fair price, which is why it's flying off the shelves. ​ ​ Therashield Product Details Infrared phototherapy mask designed specifically for sensitive skin. Uses finely tuned infrared light to treat skin imperfections without the irritation or dryness that comes with traditional treatments. The same phototherapy technology used by dermatologists and NASA, brought home. ​ ​

Smart Standard: ​ ​Current Body ​ ​ ​$469.99 ​LED Face Mask​ ​ Product Details Full-face flexible silicone mask with three wavelengths red (633nm), near-infrared (830nm), and deep near-infrared (1072nm). Clinically shown to reduce wrinkles by 30% and improve skin plumpness by 57% in 8 weeks. ​ ​Why We Love It for CPO This is the mask that takes the guesswork out. Three wavelengths covering surface-level collagen and deeper cellular repair in one session. The flexible silicone means full contact across your face no gaps, no dead zones. And the numbers back it up. CurrentBody didn't just build a pretty mask, they built one that's clinically tested at the bulb level. That matters when you're investing in something you're going to use for 90–120 days. This is Smart Standard because the results punch above the price. ​ ​ Smart Standard: ​ ​ Shark Ninja ​ $399.99 Product Details ​ Full-face LED mask with red, blue, and infrared light plus cryo-cooling under the eyes. Four treatment modes better aging (6 min), skin clearing (8 min), skin sustain (4 min), and under-eye cooling (5–15 min). The iQLED technology sequences the light between skin layers for full coverage with no gaps. ​ ​ Why We Love It for CPO Three things: The cryo-cooling is what separates this from every other mask on this list: cold tightening under the eyes in one use and three temperature levels. The treatment modes are a short 4 to 8 minutes,which means no excuses. And it's a shark. You already trust them in your home. Now trust them on your face. ​ I'm usually one for a wand, but if I had my choice, I'd pick this LED mask. It offers full coverage and precision lighting, all hands-free. Since Ninja is great with technology, my Ninja kitchen appliance keeps my smoothies perfect. I trust that this mask will keep my face in top shape. Pretty Basics: ​ ​Mario Bedescu​ $150 Mario Badescu Flexible LED Therapy Mask ​ Product Details 62 LED lights across 7 light colors including NIR red light. Flexible mask design, full-face coverage. Targets fine lines, texture, tone, and pigmentation. Non-invasive, gentle for all skin types. No proprietary products required. Why We Love It for CPO Seven light colors means this mask addresses multiple concerns in one session. The NIR red light goes deeper for firmness and fine lines while the other wavelengths work texture, tone, and pigmentation. It's Mario Badescu, a brand that's been in skincare longer than most of us have had a routine. And it's gentle enough for every skin type, which matters when you're recommending a community with different needs. This is the entry point that doesn't feel like a compromise. ​ For an investment where I need a cautious approach and a reliable fallback, this is my preferred choice. Their midtown spa in NYC is excellent; the aestheticians there are fantastic at facials; they truly know how to de-puff and bring a glow to your face! ​ ​ Why We Love It for CPO This is the pick for the woman who's been told her skin is too sensitive for devices. Therashield was built around that problem, infrared therapy without the irritation. That matters because not every CPO reader has the same skin and not every device works for everyone. If you've tried treatments before and your skin fought back, this is your re-entry point. Gentle doesn't mean weak. It means designed with you in mind.

Closing Note | What System Speaks To You? Every device on this list earned its spot not because it was trending, not because someone paid me to say it but because the technology works and the results back it up. But remember what we talked about at the top. The device doesn't do the work. You do. The consistency, the 90–120 days, the discipline of showing up for yourself when nobody's watching that's what makes any of these worth the investment. A device without commitment is just an expensive shelf decoration. In part four, we close this series out with microcurrent the tools that tone, lift, and train your face the way the gym trains your body. If LED is the light, microcurrent is the workout. Stay tuned. Till the next one. Keep Leading, K.A. ​Did you receive this newsletter from a Chief Pretty Officer? ​​​Join Here.​​ ​​