Zapping Away Acne with Light Activated Technology by l.a.b
Ever had that sinking feeling waking up to a surprise blemish on a big day? Whether it's before your prom, wedding, a job interview, or an important first date, those moments can get under your skin. Instead of sharing my senior year picture day photos (a potential jump scare), let me introduce l.a.b (Light Activated Beauty), the new brand harnesses light technology to zap away spots in three minutes.
l.a.b launched its first two products on October 17. The first I tried out is L.A.B.’s FDA-cleared and UV-free ‘patch’, a device harnessing proven LED power to combat acne-causing bacteria and inflammation. If you buy a two-pack, the set will come in a travel-friendly case for skin emergencies on the go.
Application is simple: stick the Light Therapy Patch onto your skin, press and hold the button until it activates, and let the red and blue light work its magic for three minutes. The patches are reusable, and you can repeat the process up to three times per day on the same spot. Results are best when the patch is followed by l.a.b’s $16.50 Acne Drying Compound. This is a fast-acting acne drying serum intended to unclog pores, exfoliate dead skin, reduce redness and absorb excess oil. Use a Q-Tip to dab a drop of the pink sediment onto your spot. Obviously, this is not a product for you if you have dry skin, as it will just dry it out further.
While other LED products are on the market, L.A.B. stands out because it is much more reasonably priced than many of its competitors. With the brand’s TikTok account only active for four weeks, it has not yet made a significant splash on that platform. However, I see great potential for this product to gain lots of traction online, particularly with a Gen Z audience.
Not only is the light patch highly visually interesting and filled with novelty, but the product was also launched by a founder familiar with TikTok virality. Douglas Cooper, the founder of l.a.b, saw his other brand Wonderskin take off online with its Wonder Blading Lip Stain. The lip stain is dark blue upon application, and when it is wiped off it transforms into one of the16 shades sold.
The lip stain racked up over 100 million views on TikTok, with 4,000-5,000 orders per 10 million views.
Cooper’s strategy involves making an impression on TikTok users and capitalizing on social media exposure. “When you’re able to do that, he says, you’re able to spend money on media efficiently, and you’re able to build a big following, drive revenue and get yourself ready for a successful retail launch.”
Although they currently only sell patches for acne products to target TikTok’s largely gen Z users, l.a.b are looking to expand their range. They are working on products to address dark spots, wrinkles, and hair loss.
Each of the light activated products will be coupled with a topical product, much like how the acne patches were accompanied by the separate acne drying compound. The dark spotlight patch will be coupled with a topical product filled with green tea and skin-brightening vitamin C. In Cooper's words, “what we’re trying to develop is a brand that is looking to solve multiple skincare issues through this unique combination of light therapy and topicals.” You can shop for these products at the lab site.
You can shop for these products at the skin by lab site
Instagram: @lightactivatedbeauty
Article by Richelle Hodson, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Chenglin Qu, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
*All images are from l.a.b
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