Find the best red light therapy devices to minimize wrinkles, inflammation, and acne. Learn about each product from the Vogue editors who tested them firsthand.Find the best red light therapy devices to minimize wrinkles, inflammation, and acne. Learn about each product from the Vogue editors who tested them firsthand.
Let’s address the cherry-colored elephant in the room: Does red light therapy actually work? It’s a question I, for one, have pondered many times as I watch Hailey Bieber move through her beauty routine or see the praises of the best red light therapy devices sung everywhere. Don’t get me wrong: Red light therapy (RLT) looks cool, and I have quite the collection of devices scattered across my bedside table and bathroom shelves. But are the red light therapy masks, red light therapy wands, and helmets all competing for my chargers actually doing anything, apart from casting an alluringly selfie-ready glow?
“Whilst clinic LED treatments are both effective and popular, at-home devices are a much more cost-effective and convenient way of using LED,” says Laurence Newman, founder and CEO of Currentbody. “You can use it more consistently at home, resulting in better long-term effects on the skin.”
- What is it?
- The Benefits of Red Light Therapy
- How often should you use red light therapy?
- How quickly will you see results from red light therapy?
- Is red light therapy safe?
- How to Find the Best Red Light Therapy Device for You
- Do red light therapy devices work?
- Is there a difference between infrared and red light therapy?
- What skin types most benefit from red light therapy?
- Are home red light therapy devices worth it?
- What wavelength of red light should you use?
- Are at-home red light therapy tools as effective as in-office options?
- How We Tested
- About Our Testers
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Under-Eye Red Light Therapy: Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite EyeCare Pro
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Courtesy of Hunter Abrams
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Vogue’s Kiana Murden uses the Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite LED EyeCare Max Pro.
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Dr. Dennis Gross
DRx SpectraLite EyeCare Pro
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Improves dark circles and puffiness, comfortable to wear | The bright lights can irritate some eyes, so you may need to keep your eyes closed during treatment |
When it comes to (quite literally) masking crow’s feet, dark circles, and other concerns in the orbital eye area, Dr. Dennis Gross has a 96-LED solution. The hands-free SpectraLite Eye Care Pro fits comfortably and has a fun, superhero-mask look to boot.
Designed for daily use, the device is pre-programmed with three-minute treatments that utilize light across four wavelengths—ranging from amber (605 nm) to infrared (880 nm)—to penetrate multiple layers of the skin. By stimulating collagen production, the tool smooths out crow’s feet, frown lines (also known as “11 lines”), and fine lines in the eye area. Clinically tested and FDA-cleared, it may yield visible improvements after just 10 weeks.
Dr. Dennis Gross’s medical peers have lauded his red-light-therapy devices. Dr. Angela Sturm, for instance, previously praised their use of near-infrared light therapy and amber light, noting that the wavelengths effectively stimulate collagen and tame inflammation. Meanwhile, the brand’s DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro is a dermatologist—and Vogue editor—fave.
| Device Type | Eye mask |
| Best For | Under-eye puffiness, dark circles, crow’s feet, fine lines and wrinkles, tone, texture |
| Target Area | Around the eyes |
| Treatment Time | 3 minutes |
| FDA-Approved | Yes, FDA-cleared |
| Specs | 96 LEDs across four light wavelengths—amber (605 nm), red (630 nm), deep red (660nm), infrared (880 nm); hands-free; automatic shutoff; USB-C charging cable |
| Wireless | Yes, rechargeable |
Best Red Light Therapy Mask: CurrentBody Series 3 Mask
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LED Red Light Therapy Face Mask Series 3
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Covers the entire face, with proven results from the brand’s clinical studies | Unlocking wavelength customization features requires app reliance |
While CurrentBody’s original 2018-launched device was Vogue-verified, two upgraded versions have since launched—the latest of which launched this September. The flexible silicone exterior remains the same, easily covering the entire face and chin. For starters, the mask features a significant increase in LED bulbs (from 236 to 750, to be specific). Rufolo particularly likes the treatment customization offered by CurrentBody’s Series 3 mask. “It incorporates six wavelengths, including 633-nanometer red, 830-nanometer near-infrared, and 1072-nanometer deep near-infrared, alongside blue, green, and yellow light, so it goes beyond a traditional red-and-near-infrared mask,” she says, adding that it also offers wavelength precision and adjusts the light dose as needed. With that in mind, this mask targets multipurpose concerns, from redness to hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and beyond.
| Device Type | Mask, flexible silicone |
| Best For | Customizable treatments for a wide range of skin concerns, from fine lines to acne, and more. |
| Target Area | Face |
| Treatment Time | 10 minutes, three to five times per week |
| FDA-Approved | Yes, FDA-cleared |
| Specs | 750 lights across six light wavelengths: red (633nm) and near-infrared (830nm), deep near-infrared (1072nm), blue (415nm), green (532nm), and yellow (590nm). |
| Wireless | Yes, with a rechargeable remote. |
Best for Covert Hair Regrowth: HigherDOSE Red Light Therapy Hat
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Vogue’s Conçetta Ciarlo uses Higherdose’s red-light therapy hat.
HigherDOSE Red Light Therapy Hat
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Streamlined design; easy to wear | No major cons to note |
| More affordable price point for the category |
Higherdose is a purveyor of quality red-light therapy devices, from blankets to masks and beyond. The brand’s red-light hat promotes increased blood circulation to the scalp to support follicle function and reduce shedding. “It uses 650nm red light and 120 LEDs, and the technology is FDA-cleared,” Rufolo says. That said, she reminds us that hair has a much longer treatment timeline than an average facial treatment. But the gadget’s real standout feature is its baseball-hat design, notably sleeker (and lighter) than bulkier, helmet-like options. And yes, it has an adjustable back strap like a regular cap. Plus, even though this Higherdose cap will set you back a couple hundred bucks, it’s still one of the most affordable in its category.
| Device Type | Hat |
| Best For | Stimulating hair regrowth, with a stealth design. |
| Target Area | Head/scalp |
| Treatment Time | 10-20 minutes |
| FDA-Approved | Yes |
| Specs | One-year warranty, 120 medical-grade LED bulbs |
| Wireless | Yes |
Best Red Light Therapy Wand: LightStim for Wrinkles
LightStim
LightStim for Wrinkles
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Customizable treatment options, ideal for spot treatments | Those with ultra-sensitive skin may experience redness or irritation with prolonged use |
Embedded with 72 LED lights that emit wavelengths of light red, dark red, infrared, and amber, this handheld device treats wrinkles everywhere on the face—including the forehead, crow’s feet, and lips. “LightStim is the OG red light wand and stands out for its FDA-cleared technology and customizable treatment options,” says Bassiri-Tehrani. “It uses a range of wavelengths to penetrate different skin layers, targeting fine lines and wrinkles to improve firmness and elasticity with regular use. It’s also a great option to help target trouble areas because it’s a wand.” Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama, also signs off on the device. “LightStim for Wrinkles is a favorite of many patients, and I like it as a spot treatment because you can use it in key areas of concern,” he says. “The device can help reduce pore size, firm and tone skin, and increase skin’s elasticity for a more youthful, refreshed appearance. Plus, the LED light helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin for an ongoing benefit.”
| Device Type | Wand |
| Best For | The wrinkle-taming device was designed for maturing skin. |
| Target Area | Face, body, neck, hands, etc |
| Treatment Time | Three minutes per target area |
| FDA-Approved | Yes, FDA-cleared |
| Specs | 72 LEDs across four light wavelengths: amber, light red, dark red, and infrared |
| Wireless | No |
Best for Relaxation: Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo
Therabody
TheraFace Mask Glo
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| High LED count, full-face coverage | The 12-minute treatment time is relatively long |
| Vibration therapy delivers a soothing massage |
With 504 medical-grade LEDs, TheraFace Mask Glo delivers full-face skincare—plus a little TLC for the scalp. A more lightweight version of the original Therabody TheraFace mask, this device has a preset, 12-minute routine that toggles between three wavelengths.
Using blue light (415nm), the hands-free tool targets acne and acne-causing bacteria in the upper layers of the skin, while its red light (633nm) mode reaches the dermis to address fine lines and dark spots. In its third setting, the mask combines red and infrared (830 nm) lights to stimulate collagen production. While the device works hard, it helps you relax. It’s equipped with VibraWave technology that massages the scalp in three different modes, and you can turn it on or off at the flick of a switch.
“Our vision was to deliver clinically validated wavelengths and dosing in a frictionless, feel-good ritual people can actually stick with—so the science translates into visible change,” Tim Roberts, Therabody’s vice president of science and innovation, previously told Vogue. After testing the mask, beauty editor for shopping Kiana Murden shared: “As someone looking to address both signs of aging and acne, I find myself toggling between blue and red light occasionally, so I like that this one takes out the guesswork by combining three wavelengths in one session.” She added that the device’s light extends to the neck and décolletage, too—“a nice bonus for those interested in below-the-chin care.”
| Device Type | Mask |
| Best For | Fine lines, texture, tone, acne |
| Target Area | Face, scalp |
| Treatment Time | 12 minutes |
| FDA-Approved | Yes, FDA-cleared |
| Specs | 3 light wavelengths—red (630 nm), blue (830 nm), and near-infrared (830 nm); two-year warranty |
| Wireless | Yes, rechargeable |
Best for Contour: Laduora Lumeo SkinLift 4D Current Red Light Therapy Kit
Laduora
Lumeo 4D Current Red Light Therapy Skincare Kit
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Offers four therapies in one, quick and easy to use. | Some users report that the device can stop working after a short time. |
Why We Love It: When celebrities like Jenna Ortega want to hit the red carpet with intensely chiseled cheekbones, they throw a little Laduora Lumeo treatment into their glam session. Beloved by pro makeup artists, the device harnesses red light therapy, near-infrared light, and the patented 4D Infusion technology to snatch the face into a sleek, contoured shape. Clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the device—a favorite of pro makeup artists—also lends a hint of the spa to one’s daily beauty routine. Its therapeutic massage is like a mini facial that boosts circulation for a fresh-from-the-treatment-table glow.
| Device Type | Wand |
| Best For | Smoothing and lifting the skin |
| Target Area | Face and neck |
| Treatment Time | Three minutes, three to five times per week |
| FDA-Approved | No |
| Specs | Red light therapy (630 nm), near-infrared light (850 nm), 4D Current Infusion (patented waveforms for targeted toning) |
| Wireless | Yes, rechargeable |
Best Spot Treatment: Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
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Video: Courtesy of Sam Ravin
Solawave
Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight, travel-friendly, four-in-one device | Only covers a small area of the face at a time; treatment time may feel long |
A Vogue editor favorite, Solawave’s four-in-one device handily smooths fine lines and wrinkles, brightens dark circles, and boosts serum absorption in just a few minutes with consistent use. All the while, it delivers a depuffing face massage, which boosts circulation. “This handheld, travel-friendly device is a fantastic tool that combines red light therapy, galvanic current, massage, and warmth to address a range of skin concerns,” Dr. Engelman says. “The galvanic current works to tone and firm the face while reducing puffiness for a brighter and smoother complexion. Plus, the vibration massages serums into the skin barrier to enhance absorption.”
| Device Type | Wand |
| Best For | Suited for all skin types, the wand targets fine lines and wrinkles, crow’s feet, dark circles, and blemishes. |
| Target Area | Face |
| Treatment Time | Three minutes per region |
| FDA-Approved | Yes, FDA-cleared |
| Specs | 7 LEDs across one light wavelength: red (630nm), wireless |
| Wireless | Yes, rechargeable |
Best for Puffiness: Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask
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Shark
CryoGlow LED Face Mask
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Multiple treatment options | The cooling function can be a bit noisy |
| Cooling function is both soothing and depuffing |
