What mW/cm² Means & Why It Matters in LED Light Therapy - Neo Elegance

What mW/cm² Means & Why It Matters in LED Light Therapy

If you’ve been researching LED light therapy devices, you’ve likely come across the term “mW/cm²” but what does it actually mean? And why is it important when choosing a light therapy device?

Let’s break it down in simple terms and explain why our Lumineo LED Panel, delivering 30 mW/cm², stands out from the crowd.

What Does mW/cm² Stand For?

mW/cm² stands for milliwatts per square centimetre. It measures how much light energy (power) is delivered to your skin per second.

  • milliwatts (mW) = the power of the light

  • cm² (centimetres squared) = the surface area it hits

So mW/cm² tells you how intense the light therapy is. It’s like the “strength” of sunlight on your skin but in a focused, therapeutic way.

Why It Matters

1. It Determines How Deep the Light Penetrates

Higher mW/cm² = deeper penetration into skin and tissue. This is crucial if you're targeting:

  • Collagen production (anti-aging)

  • Inflammation reduction

  • Wound healing

  • Acne or rosacea

  • Muscle or joint pain

If the light isn't strong enough, it won’t reach the cells needed to trigger a biological response meaning minimal or no results.

2. It Affects How Long You Need to Use the Device

Think of it like filling a glass of water. A high-flow tap fills it quickly; a trickle takes much longer.

  • A low-powered device (e.g., 5 mW/cm²) might need 30–40 minutes per session

  • A high-powered device (like Lumineo at 30 mW/cm²) can do the job in 5–10 minutes

So you save time and get faster results with the right intensity.

3. It Separates Effective Devices from Gimmicks

Many cheap LED masks and panels on the market deliver low level mW/cm².

Low levels are often not enough to reach the skin layers required for collagen synthesis or healing.

In contrast most of our devices deliver medium to high levels, for example our Lumineo Advanced LED Panel delivers a powerful 30 mW/cm², placing it firmly in clinical-grade territory, which is why it is used by professionals in aesthetic clinics, physiotherapy, and dermatology.

High Performing Devices

Lumineo Advanced LED

Lumiderma LED Face and Neck Mask

Illumination LED Face Mask

Your budget

It also depends on your budget, as most high quality devices do cost more. We have tried to provide solutions for all types of budgets with our LED Face Mask collection. 

If you’re serious about seeing results from your LED light therapy device, mW/cm² should be one of your top considerations.

With Lumineo’s 30 mW/cm² output, you’re getting the same performance trusted by professionals, without the salon prices or long treatment times.