We tested them for effectiveness, ease of use, comfort, design, and more
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It’s incredible how much red light therapy can improve your skin. From acne to psoriasis, fine lines and wrinkles, and more, red light therapy can promote healing within your body.
There are many red light therapy products on the market—some are more effective than others. It’s important to note that although at-home red light therapy masks can be effective, regular in-office LED light therapy might be more effective in treating various skin conditions, as these treatments usually use stronger LED lights.
When searching for a red light therapy device, you want to look for a device with 600 to 900 nanometers of light. You also want to choose a device that is easy to use or easy to wear, too. Our editors spent six weeks testing the best red light therapy masks and evaluating them on effectiveness, design, ease of use, and comfort. A dermatologist from our Medical Expert Board reviewed the content in this article for medical and scientific accuracy.
It’s as aesthetically pleasing as it is effective.
You need to purchase different face masks as well as serums in order for this to be optimal.
Although this pick came with a bit of a learning curve, we absolutely fell in love with the Foreo UFO 2. Don’t be fooled by the cute pink, circular design—this gadget has a handful of skin-enhancing benefits right in the palm of your hand.
The Foreo UFO 2 features T-sonic pulsations, eight LED lights, cryotherapy, and thermotherapy to address multiple skin concerns. From acne, to dry skin, to aging skin and more, you’ll really start to notice a difference after using this product daily for a few weeks.
One of the downsides of this pick is that you have to purchase separate face masks and serums from the brand to use with the Foreo UFO 2. Depending on your skin concern, you can purchase a serum or mask that attaches to the device for each use.
This mask stays put on your face, so it’s easy to multitask while using it.
It’s hard to put on for folks who have bigger hair.
The HigherDOSE Red Light Therapy Face Mask was one of our favorites for multiple reasons. First of all, we loved how easy and simple it was to use. Just press a button and the mask will light up for 10 minutes or 20 minutes, depending on how long you want to wear it.
We also loved that you could bop around your house and do chores or lounge on the couch with a book while wearing it—you didn’t need to focus on swiping it across your face during the treatment time. Finally, we really liked how it made our skin glow after each use. Although it did not prevent a breakout from occurring, it did make our skin look more luminous.
This device was a bit difficult to strap onto our head—especially if you have thicker, afro-textured hair or are wearing braids. The mask would be easier to secure if the straps were a bit thicker in the back.
Its petite status makes it the perfect travel beauty essential.
You have to dedicate time to do this, as it’s a handheld device.
Small but mighty, this pimple spot treatment from Solawave works well to target breakouts and reduce the appearance of blemishes. We really loved how small and compact this is—it’s easy to travel with and can really be used to spot treat each pimple you have on your skin.
This little gadget comes with two light therapies—the red light and the blue light. The red light works to target inflammation and redness that can be caused by acne, while the blue light helps kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin, further treating and preventing breakouts.
We liked that this was really easy to use, but it’s important to note that you will have to use your hands and focus on specific areas that you’re treating. Unlike some of the other red light therapy treatments on this list, you can’t just strap on a mask and do chores or read—you’ll have to move this device around with your hand during the treatment.
Is an ultra-lightweight device that you can use all over your body to reduce blemishes.
Because this wand is so tiny, it can only target small patches of skin at a time.
There couldn’t be a more travel-friendly device than the Solawave 4-in-1 Advanced Skincare Wand. It’s thin, sleek, and fits into any bag easily. We loved that this device was extremely easy to use—all you have to do is charge the wand, apply it to your skin, and it will automatically light up upon contact with your face.
We like that this wand can be placed on any area of your face and body, and is easy to glide across the skin. It uses red light therapy to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as blemishes, dark spots, and redness, too.
A few things we didn’t love about this wand was that it only targets small areas at a time, and we didn’t notice a huge difference after using it for about a month and a half. Additionally, it only has one setting, which is the red light setting. You don’t get a blue light option with this pick.
It’s a cool-looking and lightweight mask that stays on to reduce fine lines or melasma.
This mask doesn’t cover your entire face and it’s less effective than others on this list.
Not only does this mask look incredibly cool and futuristic, but we loved how simple it was to put on, and stay on. Just like you would wear sunglasses, the Therashield 3-in-1 Light Therapy Mask is really easy to slide on and will stay on your head for the 10-20 minutes this device requires.
After multiple weeks, we noticed that our breakouts were diminished and less visible. However, we didn’t notice a huge difference in terms of reducing fines lines or melasma. We love how easy it was to use, but didn’t like that the battery didn’t last very long (it uses a USB cord to charge, and lasts about an hour).
We like that this mask has a lower price compared to some of the others, but we didn’t see as effective results. Additionally, we noticed that the mask didn’t reach our entire face, and actually missed some of the spots on our cheeks.
This mask comes equipped with seven LED color modes and is great for reducing redness.
Because the mask isn’t cordless, you’re tethered to one spot for the entire treatment.
If you’re looking for an overall brightening effect on the skin, consider trying the Nutriskin Wrinkle Clearing Light Therapy Face and Neck Mask. This pick helps to address uneven skin tone while reducing redness from rosacea or acne. It comes with seven LED color modes and also treats the neck area, too.
There were a few flaws we found with this device. It only comes with one strap, which is on the upper part of your head. Because of this, we found that it felt way too heavy on the forehead and put too much pressure on the top of your head.
Additionally, we didn’t love that you had to actually plug this device into a wall to turn it on. It’s not cordless and you can’t move around in it, either.
In order to choose the best red light therapy devices on the market, we tested multiple devices on different skin types and skin tones. We tested the devices per their instructions for six weeks, and looked for improvement in areas including acne, hyperpigmentation, redness, overall tone, and wrinkle-reduction. We also tested each device to see how easy it was to use and how it held up while in use.
To find out what to look for in red light therapy devices, we interviewed three dermatologists and one esthetician for their best tips. These experts include:
Red light therapy (RLT), also known as Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation, is a therapeutic treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red light (640 nm) very often in combination with near IR (830 nm) LED lights to stimulate various biological processes in cells and tissues. “RLT uses low-level wavelengths of red light to treat various skin conditions, such as wrinkles, scars, redness, acne, and other signs of aging,” says Julie Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Russak Aesthetic Center in New York City. “Studies suggest that low-level red and near IR light combinations stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in fibroblasts and increase ATP production in mitochondria, which therefore improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles through tissue regeneration.”
The interest in red light therapy evolved from NASA's experiments with red light to promote plant growth in space and help heal wounds in astronauts. This led to further investigations into potential medical uses, and it is now widely accepted for certain applications, such as photodynamic therapy, where it is used to treat skin conditions like skin cancer and psoriasis, according to Dr. Russak.
Red light therapy is generally considered safe when used as directed for short-term treatments. “It is non-toxic and non-invasive, but misuse or overuse may lead to skin or eye damage,” explains Dr. Russak.
According to Dr. Russak, there are many things you want to consider when using red light therapy devices.
Not all red-light devices are created equal. Some devices are made with high-quality materials and components, while others are made with lower-quality materials. “It is important to understand what to look for when choosing a red-light device,” says Dr. Russak. “You want to choose the device with the highest parameters.”
There is evidence that red light therapy can have positive effects on multiple skin concerns, from pro-aging benefits to wound healing and inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Red light therapy can treat acne-prone skin, promote wound healing, treat rosacea, psoriasis, alopecia areata, and fine lines and wrinkles, too.
That being said, there are skin issues that red light therapy can’t address. “Red light therapy primarily targets melanin, and individuals with darker skin tones may absorb more light, potentially leading to hyperpigmentation or other adverse effects,” says Dr. Russak. “Additionally, while red light therapy may improve fine lines and wrinkles, its effects may not be as significant on deep wrinkles and severe sagging.”
You can treat virtually any part of your body/face with red light therapy, whether it be via a facial, full body treatment, or at home using handheld devices. “At my spa, we offer face and body LED light treatments,” explains Joanna Vargas, a celebrity esthetician based in New York City. “Results of an LED light bed are dependent on the physical condition of the person, age, diet, and lifestyle.”
Some people start to see visible results after only a few sessions, however, normally people need a minimum of 12 in-person treatments—the results are cumulative. “LED light is a proven technology, as it reduces inflammation, speeds the healing of the body by 300%, increases collagen production, and corrects damage to the surface of the skin,” explains Vargas. “If you are willing to invest the time, the results are truly incredible.”
For red light therapy, you need either 660 or 850 nanometers for wavelength. “660 is more common for the skin, whereas 850 is used more for sports recovery,” explains Vargas. “I would also look to see how many red lights were actually in the device—the better the saturation, the better the result.”
According to Vargas, people often mistake light for laser, or think that it will cause sun sensitivity, but it won't. “It's totally safe and non-invasive,” she explains. “Also, I think people have some idea that it is just a ‘beauty treatment’—it is a proven technology and a real therapy. It is a technology that has been studied and its results are proven.”
“If you choose to use an at-home red light therapy device, I recommend looking for devices that are FDA-cleared,” explains Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist a Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, PA. “LED red light devices that are intended to produce safe light, generally go through the FDA clearance process as likely class II devices.”
If this is not noted on the product you are considering, it is difficult to say if it has been subject to a third party evaluating its safety. In terms of effectiveness, this is not always as clear. “Most devices I have come across appear to be FDA-cleared and not necessarily FDA-approved,” says Dr. Ilyas. “The clearance process is not as high a standard as the approval process.”
According to Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology in New York City, prices range from around $40 to more than $1000, depending on the brand and size of the device. “LED red lights can be handheld devices, LED panels, or full-body beds,” she says.
According to Dr. Ilyas, not all red light is the same, depending on the source of the red light. “LED light therapy is thought to be more effective in delivering energy to the skin with less heat compared to other sources,” she says.
Daley Quinn is a freelance journalist, specializing in beauty and health, who has contributed to numerous publications, such as Elle, Real Simple, Allure, The Cut, WWD, and more. She also writes for her blog, The Daley Dose.
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