Derms Use This Technology To Smooth And Firm Skin. These Are The Best At-Home Versions

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You've likely heard the recent buzz surrounding LED light therapy tools. While there are multiple different kinds of light therapy—think orange, green, and blue—red light therapy in particular is a non-invasive, therapeutic treatment that uses a low wavelength of visible light to help boost your natural production of skin proteins like collagen, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, lightening stubborn dark spots, and clearing acne.

Best red light therapy tools

While at-home red light therapy tools may not work as quickly as in-office treatments since they're not as strong, they're still helpful for treating more common skin conditions like the odd breakout or fine lines, says dermatologist Shari Sperling, DO. Want to get faster and more effective results at home without a trip to the med spa? Dermatologist Purvisha Patel, MD recommends that you simply use your device more often—ideally daily—until you start to see results (hint: this may take up to six months).

What to consider

The type of device

There are many different types of red light therapy devices, but before you start trying them all out, plastic surgeon Daniel Gould, MD, recommends visiting a dermatologist to find the right one for your specific skin concerns. Among the options to choose from: red light therapy panels, red light therapy masks, and red light therapy wands. Andrew Silberstein, founder and CEO of Solawave, breaks them all down.

"Panels are commonly used by professionals to provide a medical-grade, maximum dose of red light therapy," he says, highlighting the diverse range of shapes and sizes available, each offering different levels of red light exposure. Masks, on the other hand, are most commonly used at home, and Silberstein says they provide effective red light therapy to targeted areas of the skin. "These masks are typically used for three to ten minutes, adjusting based on the mask's power and wavelength." Options on this list include the Omnilux Contour Face and the Shani Darden Skin Care Déesse PRO LED Light Mask. Finally, Silberstein notes that with a facial wand, like the LightStim LED Light Therapy Device, users are able to target specific areas of the face and skin, including often-neglected areas of the face like the under-eye area.

Your skin concerns

As Dr. Sperling mentioned, red light therapy is great for treating common skin conditions like acne and fine lines. But, some devices, whether that be the Trophy Skin RejuvaliteMD Red Light Therapy or the Foreo UFO 2, are meant to target those concerns and more, like dullness, redness, sun damage, and discoloration. When searching for a device, make sure to hone in on exactly what you want to treat and which devices claim to target those concerns (of course, we outlined this for you, below!).

Treatment target areas

Silberstein mentioned the different types of red light therapies above, but not all of them are secluded to the face. Some masks, like the Shani Darden Skin Care Déesse PRO LED Light Mask, are meant for both the face and neck, while the Fxtiaa LED Panel can be used anywhere on the body from your chest to your hands.

How we selected

For the past year, Women’s Health associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner. assistant love and life editor Addison Aloian, and contributor Brigitt Earley have been testing and researching the most popular, top-rated red light therapy tools. They consulted with five dermatologists, one plastic surgeon, one brand founder, and WH beauty director Brian Underwood for the story, and, together, compiled a list of the best options for every budget and preference. Then, they got their hands on the devices and tested them in the comfort of their own homes. These 12 delivered results.

So, are you ready to transform your skin with the 11 best red light therapy tools of 2024? Look no further than this list, which has been curated with help from medical professionals, beauty experts, and our roster of anonymous product testers.

Light Therapy Mask

If you're on the hunt for a red light therapy tool that checks all of the boxes (who isn't?!), Qure's Light Therapy Mask is your answer. The mask is structured, so it sits squarely on your face for a targeted treatment. Still, our testers told us it isn't at all heavy or cumbersome. It's also entirely wireless and hands-free—a combination that's surprisingly hard to find in these tools.

We love that you get two types of red light therapy: red for collagen-boosting and firmness and deep red for wrinkles and redness. But the beauty benefits don't stop there. You'll also enjoy infrared for circulation and collagen protection, amber to help with sun damage and hyperpigmentation, and blue for acne and breakouts. It's all controllable and customizable through a compatible smartphone app. The icing on the cake? Treatment time is only three minutes—among the fastest of all devices.

"Setup is, admittedly, a little bit tricky—especially figuring out how to fit the eye protection into the mask. And turning the device on is not the most intuitive process," our tester told us. "But once you figure it all out, there's really no looking back. This mask is just as lightweight as more flexible options, but fits my face so much better, which makes me feel like I'm reaping more benefits," says Earley. "I also love that it's 100% hands-free and has eye protection, so I can multitask without worry that I'm straining or damaging my eyes in any way."

Wrinklit LED Mask

Dr. Camp endorses this mask as one of the more affordable LED tools out there. "A more budget-friendly treatment, this device employs red, blue, and orange light to improve one’s overall complexion," he says. The red light helps with anti-aging and redness, the blue helps clear acne, and the orange light chips in by enhancing your skin's natural glow.

This mask is also completely wireless, so you can lay in bed, clean your home, or even do laundry without worrying about it coming unplugged. Its treatment time is a bit longer, but testers say that because it's so lightweight and features built-in eye protection, the longer wait time is worth it. It's worth noting, too: One of our testers, a woman in their late 60s, has used this product for only five minutes (!!) every day and, after two months, she still sees a huge difference in her skin.

On the downside, another tester did tell us that they didn't feel like this mask delivered quite as much targeted light as some other options and has lights that are further away from the face. However, the user manual does say it's equipped with 630nm of red light—a spec that's comparable to other devices.

Contour Face

Both Dr. Patel and Dr. Vasyukevich recommend this results-driven mask, which features flexible silicone to fit around any and all face shapes and sizes. Dr. Vasyukevich especially appreciates that it's FDA-approved and has clinically-proven results backing it up. Among its accolades: It stimulates collagen production for youthful-looking skin, refines skin texture and tone for an effortless glow, and reduces the appearance of pigmentation and redness. Dr. Shirazi adds that it also regulates oil production.

As per the brand's guidance, noticeable results typically manifest following three to five 10-minute sessions each week, over the span of four to six weeks. And associate fashion and commerce editor Lily Wohlner says it's worth the time. "I have a lot of unevenness on my skin, and while I do everything I can to prevent accumulating more, I use this flexible mask periodically to undo some of the damage that has built up over the years." Wohlner also loves that you have the option to purchase the Omnilux Contour Neck And Décolleté device if you want to treat your chest area, too.

Another tester told us this face mask has also become her go-to—also because of how flexible the design is and how easy it is to use overall. Even the power cord that hangs down isn't all that heavy, she told us. "I often multitask while wearing this mask, but because there's no eye protection, I second-guess whether that's the best idea," she told us. "I do also wish the mask was equipped with other lights, like blue or infrared."

Pro

If you haven't heard of Theragun, you need to check it out—I mean, it's basically the Tesla of deep muscle therapy. And, because it's so highly rated, the brand recently developed a similar, FDA-cleared tool for deep facial massage, with a few added bonuses.

The Theraface pro is everything you need in a facial tool. "It comes with six different attachments including percussive massagers, LED lights, a deep cleansing ring, and a microcurrent ring," says Wohlner, who adds that she couldn't imagine a better facial device. "I struggle with jaw pain from grinding my teeth, and the percussive therapy this device offers is a major game changer when I wake up with a sore jaw come morning. I also use it whenever I have a pesky breakout or some redness that needs solving. I just snap on the blue or red light rings and it really does help keep my acne at bay."

Another tester gave a similar glowing review: "You simply can't beat the versatility of this beauty gadget," says contributor Brigitt Earley. "I love the red, blue, and infrared light attachment, but I gravitate towards the microcurrent head just as much. It's not the cheapest out there, but it's also not the most expensive—and I think it does more than any other," she says "In my opinion, this is—hands down—the best overall value." Her only complaint? It's not hands-free.

UFO 2

This little tool does it all, and then some. It has thermotherapy, cryotherapy, T-Sonic pulsations, and eight LED lights, so you can easily customize your next at-home facial experience. "This product has so many potential uses," says Dr. Camp. "It has anti-aging benefits, treats muscle aches like headaches, and enhances the penetration of skincare products. It also has several LED settings to address a variety of specific skin concerns."

According to the brand, you can use this with your favorite mask to hyper-infuse its ingredients and unlock brighter, more youthful-looking skin. Don't know which one to reach for? Pair this device with Foreo's UFO Activated Masks.

Our tester said the device is easy to use and fits comfortably in the palm of her hands. She also liked the fact that it connects to the brand's compatible smartphone app to help guide you through treatments. "Treatment time is quick, and I noticed almost immediate brightening benefits," our tester told us. "And even though you'll get best results with the brand's own masks, you can definitely use your own serum or mask in a pinch and still reap all kinds of beauty benefits from the light and beyond."

DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro

Although this pick is expensive, it has the FDA's stamp of approval and it'll last you years, says Dr. Sperling. And she signs off on its ability to unleash younger-looking skin.

The device has a combination of 100 light emitting diodes in red mode and 62 LED lights in blue mode (now that's a double whammy!). Dr. Sperling explains that the red light setting supports collagen production, which is key to a youthful-looking complexion. "The blue light, on the other hand, is great for the reduction of acne," she adds. You can also use both lights together to treat both aging skin and blemishes at the same time, making it one of the most customizable choices on this list.

One of our testers, whose been using this mask for an entire year, says her rosacea, acne, and wrinkles have noticeably reduced. Plus, she told us her skin just feels better overall.

Revilit LED

One of the more affordable red light therapy devices on this list is Skin Gym's wand, which comes with a double seal of approval from experts. What makes it stand out? It has red, blue, and green lights that can easily be used all over the body, thanks to the size of the device (it legit fits in the palm of your hand). Addressing various skin concerns such as aging, pigmentation, and acne, this device, according to Dr. Sperling, is up to the task.

While the lights are meant to be used separately, dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD suggests using the green light after the red and blue settings, as it is believed to have a soothing effect on inflamed and irritated skin.

You'll also love that the device will automatically shut off after 15 minutes of use, so you don't have to worry about setting a timer.

RejuvaliteMD Red Light Therapy

WH contributer Neha Tandon reviewed this light treatment after her dermatologist recommended it to her. Spoiler alert: She loved her results, noticing that it actually shrunk her pores and almost completely erased her dark spots and acne scars. Plus, she noted that is was super easy to use. "After years of being told it wasn't possible, I had fully debunked the myth that you can't shrink your pores," she says.

Tandon also loved the affordability of this product (if you didn't already know, a lot of the devices on the market can get up to $3,000!). "At less than $200, it's one of the more affordable panel options out there," she says.

Our tester agrees with Tandon, saying that it completely reduced her rosacea and fine lines after using it daily on both sides of her face. More importantly, this device made her skin so much more resilient and less sensitive. She deems this product worth the investment.

How To Glow LED Light Therapy Mask

This LED mask actually uses NASA technology to deliver four different colored lights. The red light in particular addresses a handful of concerns (think aging and discoloration) by increasing skin cell production. "The red light feature also works to help visibly plump the skin and reduce signs of aging," Dr. Sperling says. "Plus, it’s easy to use a couple times a week!"

Although this device has rave reviews from our testers, one noted that its 15 minute wear time is a hassle compared to the devices with a much shorter treatment time on this list. However, this tester did notice a difference in her skin every time she used it, noting that it looked noticeably less red and appeared brighter and tighter.

If you have a more specific concerns like acne or sensitivity, you'll appreciate that the blue light kills bacteria, amber calms sensitive skin, and green works to lighten dark spots.

Acne LED Light Therapy Device

This handheld wand is made specifically for acne as it simultaneously administers red and blue lights, says dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD. "Blue light has a different wavelength than red, so it'll penetrate the skin at a different depth. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help clear acne while increasing skin cell turnover." When the lights are used together, they give your skin the nourishment it needs for a more radiant appearance.

Because of the wand shape, it can easily be used on different parts of the body, too—just be sure to do a quick patch test before using it for a long amount of time.

After a few weeks of daily use, our product tester said his skin was acne-free, although it was still red in some areas. After speaking with his dermatologist about which device was the right one for him, he says he's happy that he chose this one.

BrightenMD 4-In-1 Portable Microcurrent Facial Device

This microcurrent facial device uses microcurrents (duh) to stimulate and tighten the facial muscles, red light therapy to attack signs of aging, therapeutic warming, and ultrasonic waves to help boost your skin's circulation and cell turnover. Unlike other devices, this one is made to glide across the skin to lift, tighten, and treat.

We also love that this device comes equipped with a smart touch sensor, which turns on when in contact with your skin so you don't have to worry about pressing any buttons. Once it's on, the brand claims that BrightenMD helps relax the pores, allowing your skincare products to sink deeper into the skin. And it's not just for the face—you can use it on your eyes, mouth, forehead, neck, and lips, too.

One thing to note, though, is that testers say, because it's on the more inexpensive side, it breaks a bit easier than the higher-end, pricer options on this list. You do also have to be hands-on with this device, since it's a wand rather than a mask or a stand-up light.

LED Face Mask

This tool mimics a salon experience with an overhead display of 287 rows of light beads and a 180-degree light source that provides treatment for for your face, neck, hands, and body.

It also has the most light options on this list, with yellow, green, blue, red, cyan, purple, and white light modes. Together, they promote blood circulation, relieve scarring, activate skincare ingredients, improve swelling, calm oil production, promote skin metabolism, brighten, and improve fine lines.

According to the brand, you only have to use it two to three times per week to see a difference. If you're looking for an all-in-one treatment device that mimics an in-salon treatment, this one is for you.

Testers also really like this device, finding it much more comfortable than wearing a face-covering LED mask. One of our testers mentioned that her aesthetician recommended using it between in-office sessions, and she says it's been great for treating her rosacea.

4-in-1 Skin Care Wand

One of the bestselling skincare tools—and a Women's Health beauty award winner—this wand offers four treatments in one. It features microcurrent, red light therapy, and a facial massage function all while providing a warm sensation that helps stimulate blood cells. "A popular tool, you will need to move this over your face for five minutes per treatment, so it can easily be used when you are talking on the phone or watching TV," says Dr. Camp.

"Our patented hero product, the Solawave Wand, provides users with one of the most accessible forms of red light therapy," says Silberstein. "The user is able to target specific areas of the face and skin, including often-neglected areas of the face like the under-eyes."

Our tester calls this rechargeable wand "absolutely amazing," and says that she "loves the way the wand feels on my skin." It’s also supremely portable, easily fitting into a purse, backpack, or carry-on for on-the-go use.

Déesse PRO LED Light Mask

Hear us out, this is a pricey purchase. But, unlike other devices on this list that supplement your in-office visits, this one totally replaces a trip to the medspa. Equipped with 238 LED lights, three treatment modes, and timed ten-minute sessions, this hard-hitter claims to address visible signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes by at least 80 percent after 12 uses. Plus, it treats both the face and the neck, so you get two treatments in one.

WH beauty director Brian Underwood says, although it's expensive, The Déesse Pro is his favorite device on this list. "It really is a true professional LED mask," he says. "You won't have to leave your house and go to a medpsa for LED treatment if you've got this thing."

Meet the experts

• Dr. Shari Sperling, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical, cosmetic, laser, and surgical dermatology

• Dr. Purvisha Patel, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare

• Dr. Konstantin Vasyukevich, MD, is a double board-certified surgeon and facial plastic surgery specialist in New York, NY

• Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City

• Dr. Azadeh Shirzai, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of AziMD Skincare

• Dr. Daniel Gould, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, CA

• Andrew Silberstein is the founder and CEO of Solawave

What are the benefits of red light therapy?

Red light therapy is a non-invasive, therapeutic treatment that uses a low wavelength of visible light to help your skin in a variety of ways. It can boost collagen production, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, help lighten dark spots, and clear acne. “Red light aids in repairing skin—especially for rosacea," says Dr. Sperling. "It also enhances circulation, shrinks the appearance of pores, and decreases inflammation and redness."

"The mechanism behind red light therapy revolves around its interaction with mitochondria, often referred to in the medical community as cellular 'power plants,'" adds Silberstein. "By providing an energy boost to the mitochondria, red light therapy enables other cells to operate more effectively." Silberstein adds that this includes many tasks such as skin repair, facilitation of new cell generation, and the promotion of skin rejuvenation.

Beyond cosmetic benefits, red light has anti-inflammatory effects that help with hair growth and inflammatory skin issues, says Dr. Patel. And, Dr. Vasyukevich says red lights can even reduce pain and inflammation in your muscles.

When should you use your red light therapy tool?

Red light therapy can be done in the morning or at night, but it should be applied on clean, dry, product-free skin after you cleanse your face, before any serums or moisturizers. But, Dr. Patel notes that if you do use a red light therapy tool after a serum, it'll help the product penetrate more deeply in to the skin—just patch test on some skin before you do it on the whole face.

"The most common instructions say to use red light therapy for either three or 10 minutes," says Silberstein. "Our panel of doctors and dermatologists often suggest their clients start at three to five sessions per week, working their way up to daily treatments if their skin reacts positively and if they have the time to do so."

What precautions should you take when doing red light therapy at home?

First, Dr. Patel says to read the instructions for usage, but just be sure not to apply red light to infected skin. You'll also want to make sure you're wearing a protective eye mask made to shield your eyes (most tools come with one). And, be sure that you don't fall asleep with the mask or tool on your face, Dr. Camp notes (FYI: Applying a red light for longer than instructed can result in burning or scarring). Most tools have an auto turn-off feature, but make sure of that before you snooze during your next treatment.

While many red light devices are generally safe (many are even FDA-approved), start out by using yours once or twice a week to make sure your skin doesn't have any reactions. Once you've confirmed that your skin can tolerate it, Dr. Sperling says you can increase how frequently you use your device.

Read more about the best beauty devices

Microcurrent Devices | Laser Hair Removal Devices | High-Frequency Wands | LED Face Masks | Dermaplane Tools | Epilators

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