The Best Red-Light Therapy Device | Reviews by Wirecutter

Top pick

Packed with 72 LEDs, this wand offers a surprising amount of coverage and emits four different wavelengths of red light. It’s easy to operate, but it needs to be plugged in.

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At first blush, the LightStim for Wrinkles seems devoid of bells and whistles. But it dazzles where it truly matters: in the jam-packedness of its 72 LEDs, its handiness, and its foolproof one-button operating system. Like all wands, though, it requires you to actively engage with it, and it’s not cordless.

For a handheld device, it’s loaded with LEDs. If you’re going to put in the time and effort to manually move a wand around, it should cover a good portion of your face. And the LightStim does just that, with 72 LEDs packed into a circle that’s just a skosh under 5 square inches. In comparison, the Lifepro Lumicure has three LEDs in a 0.78-square-inch circle, and while the Solawave 4-in-1’s little 0.75-square-inch wand head has 14 (seven dual) LEDs, it requires significantly more elbow grease to equally treat the same amount of skin. Some testers liked that they could simply press the LightStim’s large head against their faces until the three-minute timer signaled that they could move it to a different location.

This wand emits four different wavelengths of red light. The wavelength is what determines light’s color, and these LEDs are amber (605-nanometer wavelength), light red (630 nm), deep red (680 nm), and near infrared (855 nm). The varying wavelengths spark different reactions at various levels of the skin: Amber, red, and infrared penetrate to reduce oil and inflammation, as well as to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which make skin look plumper and firmer and minimize the appearance of fine lines. (Since infrared is invisible, the 865 nm LEDs might not appear lit, even when the power is on.) The Solawave 4-in-1, meanwhile, emits a single wavelength, 630 nm. One tester loved the LightStim’s range of reds, especially for treating nasolabial folds and other lines around her mouth.

The simple design makes it beyond easy to use, and silent. The LightStim is on or off — and that’s all there is to it. Every three minutes, a quick tone indicates that it’s time for you to move it to a different part of your face or body (unlike most of the devices we tested, this wand has no automatic shutoff). Whereas the Solawave 4-in-1 buzzes and lightly vibrates, the LightStim is dead quiet and inert in the palm, with one tester likening it in vibes and looks to an old-timey candlestick . Testers also appreciated that the wand’s single button required zero practice or guesswork. You also operate the Therabody TheraFace and Dr. Dennis Gross DRx Spectralite via on-device push buttons, but those models, both of which are masks, require cycling through many presses to change modes, and while the mask is attached to your face, it’s hard to tell which color mode you’re in.

You can use it on other body parts. Signs of aging aren’t limited to the face, and our testers liked using the LightStim on their necks, décolletages, and even scars, as well. Sure, our flexible mask pick, the Omnilux Men, can also be placed on or wrapped around body parts other than the face, but the LightStim was the easiest device to use in this regard.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The LightStim can drag a bit against skin unless you use it with a serum. But this was true of all the wands we tried. For our testers, pressing the wand head against the skin and holding it there for a bit was more comfortable.

It needs to be plugged in. Of the 11 devices we tested, the LightStim is the only one that has a cord. For something you use for about 12 minutes at a time, staying within 6 feet of an outlet isn’t such a big deal, and the wand will never conk out mid-treatment (as the rechargeable Solawave 4-in-1 did a few times in our tests). Complicating matters, though, is the fact that the AC/DC adapter detaches from the wand — increasing its chances of being misplaced.

The plastic housing feels a bit cheap. Especially when you consider the wand’s $250 price tag.

Key specs

LEDs: 72
Wavelengths: 605 nm, 630 nm, 660 nm, 865 nm
Irradiance: 65 mW/cm2
Treatment time: three minutes per area (no automatic shutoff)
Charging: none; powered by AC/DC adapter
Return policy: 30 days when bought from LightStim
Warranty: five years

Top pick

This comfortable mask multistasks, with LED treatments for both aging and acne-prone skin, plus cold panels for under-eye puffiness. It lacks under-eye LEDs as a result.

The Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask has a fan base among our group of testers, who loved virtually everything about the experience — from how comfortably the mask fit to how simple the remote control was to how well the cool, de-puffing under-eye pads worked. With 480 (160 tri-wick) LEDs, this mask offers a few different programs: an anti-aging option, an anti-inflammatory acne treatment, a maintenance setting, and a cooling-only protocol.

Everyone gets a perfect fit. The CryoGlow has two straps — a wide stretchy band that spans from ear to ear, and an overhead band with a hook-and-loop fastener — that adjust for a custom fit. A few other masks (like those from Higher Dose and Therabody) took some doing on our part to just stay on testers’ faces, and they didn’t feel nearly as tailored. Even better, though, are the CryoGlow’s plush and pliant silicone pads around the eyes, which rest gently on the skin and shield your vision from the bright lights. No other mask we tried had such ample eye protection.

Lots of LEDs amp up the power in multiple modes. Dotting the inside of the mask are 160 LEDs — and each one is a “tri-wick,” which means it contains a blue, red, and infrared diode, for a total of 480 lights. The six-minute anti-aging program activates the (630 nm) red and (830 nm) near-infrared lights, and the eight-minute acne treatment cycles through near-infrared, blue (415 nm), and red. The four-minute maintenance mode is meant to be a daily treatment that mixes all three wavelengths. What’s more, the CryoGlow delivers a lot of energy to the skin: The red lights have an irradiance of 73 mW/cm2, on the high side of what the dermatologists we spoke with recommended (and just as powerful as the lights of the Therabody TheraFace, which costs several hundred dollars more). One tester noticed that the lines around her mouth looked less pronounced within a month of use; she also sometimes “double-dipped” and went for just the under-eye cooling chill-out.

The remote control is intuitive and clear, and it keeps track of your sessions. The remote has buttons for toggling between mode options and fine-tuning the temperature of the cooling pads, as well as a screen showing a large-font countdown clock for the treatment time. It also logs how many total sessions you’ve done. It’s unique among the LED devices we tested. Granted, all that tech requires room: The remote is about the size of a hot dog bun, and it attaches to the mask with a yard-long cord. Both the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx Spectralite and the Therabody TheraFace, the two other rigid masks we tested, are cordless and remote-free, and testers could wear them and walk about entirely unencumbered. Even so, they still far preferred the CryoGlow and its interface, which even lets you pause mid-treatment without resetting the clock.

Cooling eye pads set it apart. This mask takes the old spoons-in-the-freezer trick to an Olympic level: During the LED treatment, you can set the metal pads, each about the size of a thumbprint, at any of three levels of frosty coldness, or off completely. Alternatively, you can deploy just the chilling pads — no LEDs — for a five-, 10-, or 15-minute session. Some testers said they would have preferred to have LEDs in those spots instead; the Omnilux Men, our pick for a flexible mask, even has 1,072 nm infrared LEDs around the eyes, intended to treat crow’s-feet.

It’s a comparative bargain. In features and user-friendliness, the $350 CryoGlow far outranked the two other rigid masks we tested — but it costs $100 less than the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx Spectralite and $300 less than the Therabody TheraFace.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s noisy. The CryoGlow has an internal fan that whirs when the eye-cooling pads are on. One tester was surprised by how loud it was, though ultimately she considered it white noise.

Its clunkiness gets in the way of portability. The mask is recommended for daily use, but with dimensions that are about 9.5 inches high by 7.5 inches wide by 5 inches deep, it consumes a notable amount of space in a suitcase or carry-on.

To charge, you have to plug in the entire mask. Several other devices we evaluated had detachable remotes that juiced up easily and discretely. Shark does offer a charging stand bundled with the mask, or sold separately for $70 more.

Key specs

LEDs: 480 (160 tri-wick)
Wavelengths: 415 nm, 630 nm, 830 nm
Irradiance: 73 mW/cm2 for red light
Treatment time: six-, eight-, and four-minute LED treatments; five-, 10-, and 15-minute cooling treatments (automatic shutoff)
Charging: USB-C is included; entire mask needs charging
Return policy: 60 days
Warranty: two years

Top pick

Don’t let the name mislead you: Anyone can use this mask with deep-reaching 1,072 nm wavelengths, and not just on the face. Getting a good fit on your face takes a little practice, though.

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Dermatologists we spoke with name-checked Omnilux again and again (the company also makes devices for in-office use). Our testers loved using both the Omnilux Men and the OG Omnilux Contour Face: They’re the same size and shape, and each one has 132 (66 double) LEDs. Whereas the Contour Face provides just 633 nm red and 830 nm near-infrared light, the Men version adds 1,072 nm near-infrared light, which penetrates more deeply (intended for male skin, which tends to be thicker). We appreciated its flat-packability and flexibility, though the straps don’t provide the best fit of the models we tried.

Near-infrared light at 1,072 nm achieves the deepest penetration into skin. Only two masks we tested had near-infrared rays at such a high wavelength — the Omnilux Men and the Current Body 2. The 1,072 nm light can reach deeper below the epidermis, making it well suited for men’s skin, which can be a bit thicker than women’s, though this wavelength is also fine for women’s skin. This mask emits 633 nm and 830 nm red light, as well. The 1,072 nm light is directed where signs of aging are especially noticeable: on the forehead, at crow’s-feet, and at the nasolabial folds.

This mask pinch-hits for use beyond your face. The Omnilux Men is just a touch bigger than a piece of printer paper, and nearly as flat and flexible. Testers flexed it under their chins to get their necks and laid it flat on their chests to treat crepiness there. In contrast, although we loved the ample coverage and curved shape of the Current Body 2 — it was the only soft mask we tested that had LEDs angled under the chin — what makes that mask so comfortable for contouring around the face limits its utility elsewhere on the body, as it doesn’t lie flat for easy use on the chest. Some companies sell specialized add-ons for the neck or chest or eye area — almost like build-your-own LED armor — but you can truly get away with using a flexible mask.

It’s easy to pack. Whereas the Shark CryoGlow is bulky and rigid, the Omnilux Men is thin and pliable and takes up little space in a suitcase. When slid flat into its cloth carrying sack, the mask and its controller occupied less room than a folded T-shirt in one tester’s weekend bag.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s the most expensive of our picks. Although this mask is priced just under $400, it doesn’t look like much and doesn’t come with much: Most of the other masks we tested came with either protective eye shields or goggles, but the Omnilux Men did not.

The fit is just okay, not great. The Omnilux Men has just two nominally stretchy straps for use across the back of the head, and it can feel a little loose along the chin. The Current Body mask, in contrast, has wide, comfortable neoprene straps, and the Higher Dose and Solawave masks we tested have both back straps and overhead straps for a stay-put fit.

Key specs

LEDs: 132 (66 dual)
Wavelengths: 633 nm, 830 nm, 1,072 nm
Irradiance: 35 mW/cm2
Treatment time: 10 minutes (automatic shutoff)
Charging: USB-C included
Return policy: 30 days
Warranty: two years

Skin is a wondrous thing. So is LED light. And the two work great together. Specific wavelengths of blue, red, and near-infrared light have been shown to penetrate skin at varying depths to trigger specific reactions: LED light at a wavelength of 415 nm appears blue and reaches into the epidermis, or outer layer of skin, to kill acne-causing bacteria. Red light in the range of 630 nm to 650 nm and near-infrared light in the range of 800 nm to 1,200 nm (or so) penetrates into subcutaneous tissue to reduce oil and inflammation, as well as to stimulate collagen and elastin production, which makes skin look plumper and firmer and minimizes the appearance of fine lines.

Many dermatologists offer in-office light therapy to treat conditions such as acne, rosacea, and signs of aging. Such in-office treatments employ the same wavelengths of light, but the devices or panels are generally more effective than those sold for home use, and treatment time tends to be longer. For the models we tried, the instructions generally suggest using the device for about 10 minutes several times a week. Dermatologists we spoke with also pointed out that home devices can be used in between office sessions.

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As several dermatologists also noted, plenty of excellent topical options are available for treating acne at home, which is why we didn’t consider dedicated blue-light devices (but did keep devices that mix blue and red light in the running for our picks). What’s more, blue light alone may cause hyperpigmentation.

As everyone’s grade-school buddy Roy G. Biv would remind you, red and infrared light is literally at the opposite end of the spectrum from the light of a tanning coffin bed, which emits ultraviolet rays. Red light doesn’t burn or age your skin the way UV rays do. A red-light device might feel warm on the skin but shouldn’t feel hot. (If it does, stop using it.)

Notably, though, not everyone should use an LED device — always check with a doctor before trying it. Sit out light therapy if you have lupus or melasma. If you have darker skin, check with a dermatologist. Skip at-home LED devices if you’re on medication that increases skin’s sensitivity to light, or your eyes are sensitive to bright light (even testers who aren’t light-sensitive experienced ripping headaches after trying some masks). In any event, always check in with a doctor before trying LED therapy, and carefully read the contraindications for any device you consider purchasing.

For this guide, I interviewed six dermatologists who use laser and red-light devices in their offices and are familiar with the options for home use. I pored over academic studies that explored the effectiveness of red-light therapy and suggested ideal strengths and parameters for effective devices. For real-world insights, I consulted with dozens of colleagues to find out which red-light masks and wands have delivered the best results — often over the course of several years — in their varied skin-care routines. I also dove into online reviews, seeking devices that maintained high star ratings over hundreds (or even thousands) of reviews.

Photobiomodulation — the fancy term for light treatment — was initially developed for NASA and cleared by the FDA more than 20 years ago. The FDA generally doesn’t approve at-home LED devices, though, so I prioritized FDA-cleared masks and wands (meaning the agency had already deemed a similar technology safe) that had a 510(k) Premarket Notification on file in which the device’s maker disclosed all of the specifications.

I also sought out devices with well-studied and effective wavelengths for visible red light (at least 630 nm) and near-infrared light (at least 830 nm). For masks that mixed blue light with red light, the sweet spot for blue was 415 nm. I also confirmed that each device had an irradiance (power over an area, measured in milliwatts over square centimeters) recommended by the dermatologists I interviewed: Soft masks had at least 30 mW/cm2, hard masks had at least 50 mW/cm2, and wands had at least 49.5 mW/cm2.

The dermatologists I spoke with also stressed the importance of dealing with companies that stand by their products. “You want to buy from a company that won’t just say ‘buy another one’ if things go wrong,” said Glynis Ablon, MD, a dermatologist in Manhattan Beach, California. Amazon offers dozens upon dozens of masks and wands at seemingly too-good-to-be-true prices, but we avoided such dupes.

When I was researching and writing, I set a price cap of $600 (some prices have since climbed). I was also definitely impressed and tempted by arc lights, such as those from Celluma and LightStim, as well as the panels by Joovv and MitoPro, but for the purposes of this guide I focused only on self-care/skin-care masks and wands. As a few dermatologists pointed out, a soft mask can be wrapped or placed against other parts of your body too, not just your face. (My elbow has a fresh pirate-style scar from about three dozen surgical staples, and as I’ve treated it with several soft masks and wands, it has become less gnarly, though I can’t say for sure whether it wouldn’t have healed as well on its own.)

Ultimately, I tested 11 devices over the course of a month, and I passed six of them along to a group of four additional testers. We judged each model based on the following criteria:

• Overall experience and perceived benefits: We sought devices that we thought made our skin look better while also being a pleasure to use.
• Comfort: We looked for devices that felt good on our faces. For masks, we considered how well they stayed in place, how effective the straps were, and whether the eye holes had shields or gaskets to protect vision. With wands, boredom was always a factor, so that was not a disqualifier. But we did consider how well the device glided over skin (either with a treatment serum or without).
• User friendliness: For devices that are meant to be used several times a week, the interface matters a lot. We favored masks and devices with clear, intuitive operating systems, controls, and remotes.
• Charging process: With several of the devices we tested, we were frankly annoyed by the charging process, specifically when a device would juice up only with the (usually too short) accompanying cord. In a world tangled up in too many USB cables, we appreciated devices with the flexibility to charge over the same cord we use for our tablets, phones, and laptops.

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You may have seen at-home Red Light LED masks on the market, but how do they stack up against professional Red Light Therapy? In this article, our experts dive into the differences between Red Light LED masks and Red Light Therapy to get the best results for your skin.

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What Are Red Light LED Masks?

Red Light LED masks are wearable devices designed for at-home use. These masks emit low-level red light wavelengths to the skin, which can stimulate cellular activity and collagen production. Often used for skin rejuvenation, Red Light LED masks are popularly known for being convenient and non-invasive.

These masks are typically used to help with:

• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles
• Improving skin tone and texture
• Minimizing redness and inflammation
• Boosting overall skin radiance

But while Red Light LED masks are a popular at-home tool, their capabilities are somewhat limited due to their design and power output.

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Our Experts Weigh In

Dr. Henry Legere, the Chief Medical Officer of Restore Hyper Wellness, explains the effectiveness of Red Light LED masks but notes that they primarily target the outermost layer of the skin.

“While at-home devices can be effective, they are most useful for maintenance and for mild to moderate skin concerns. They help somewhat with reducing fine lines and wrinkles, improving skin tone and texture, reducing inflammation and enhancing wound healing. However, for more profound changes, penetration into the dermis is required, and LED masks typically do not achieve this.”

While LED masks are great for surface-level concerns, they may not be powerful enough to trigger the deeper skin transformation you’re looking for. This is where professional Red Light Therapy comes in.

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What is Red Light Therapy?

Red Light Therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses more powerful wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to penetrate deeper into the skin’s layers. Unlike LED masks, which typically work on the epidermis (outer skin layer), Red Light Therapy can reach the dermis, the deeper skin layer responsible for collagen production, elasticity and overall skin structure.

By reaching these deeper layers, Red Light Therapy promotes more comprehensive benefits, such as:

• Enhanced collagen production, improving skin elasticity
• Faster wound healing and skin regeneration
• Reduced inflammation and redness
• Improved circulation, helping skin stay nourished and healthy
• Muscle recovery and relief from joint pain 

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Why is Red Light Therapy More Effective for Skin Health?

The deeper skin penetration of Red Light Therapy makes it more effective than LED masks for long-term skin health. Because the light can reach the dermis, it stimulates collagen production and repairs damaged tissue at a cellular level. This leads to more significant improvements in skin texture, tone and elasticity, and can also address more severe skin concerns, such as sun damage and deep wrinkles.

Another key advantage is the power of the Red Light panels used in professional therapy. At Restore Hyper Wellness, the Red Light Therapy panels are far more powerful than those found in at-home devices. This means each session delivers a stronger dose of red and near-infrared light, helping to enhance skin health more quickly and effectively.

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Boost Your Skin Health with Red Light Therapy

While Red Light LED masks can be useful for at-home maintenance, they simply do not provide the same level of skin transformation as professional Red Light Therapy. If you want to take your skin health to the next level, consider booking a Red Light Therapy session at Restore Hyper Wellness. With deeper skin penetration and more powerful light wavelengths, Red Light Therapy at Restore offers more comprehensive results that can rejuvenate your skin from within.

Invest in the best, and give your skin the most potent red light experience for results that matter. Book your Red Light Therapy appointment today. 

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Medical services are provided by an independently-owned physician practice. Some services may require medical clearance and a prescription. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Services, therapies, ingredients and prices may vary per location. The content on our site, blog posts, educational materials, apps, promotional newsletters, and any other written content are not intended to replace an evaluation with a qualified healthcare professional and are not intended as medical advice.

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