The popularity of red light therapy home devices is still on the rise, especially due to their being so cost-effective.
If you’re confused about which red light therapy device is the best one for you – you’ve come to the right place.
In this long-researched post, you’ll find my new and updated Red LED light therapy skin devices reviews and comparison.
(👉 See the proven benefits of red light therapy for wrinkles and other skin conditions.)
Ready to start your at-home red LED facials?
Let’s go.
(This post may contain affiliate links, at no extra cost to you)
Overview
- What Does Red LED Light Therapy Do to Your Skin?
- The Best LED Light Therapy Home Devices (For the Skin)
- 1. Aduro LED Mask – Best Value LED Light Therapy Mask
- 2. Platinum LED Therapy Lights – Highest Strength
- 3. Project E Beauty- Best Budget LED Mask
- 4. Sola Wave – Best Portable
- 5. dpl IIa Professional Panel System – Best Table Top
- 6. RejuvaliteMD by TrophySkin – with Flexible Arm
- 7. Amazing2015 Red Light Therapy Dome (with Infrared)
- 8. Vital Charge – Best Mini LED Panel
- How Often Can You Use LED Light Therapy?
- How Long Does it Take for Red Light Therapy to Work?
- How Do You Prepare Your Skin for Red Light Therapy?
What Does Red LED Light Therapy Do to Your Skin?
Red light therapy is proven to regenerate skin cells, improve micro blood circulation, increase oxygen content in the blood, improve skin healing from wounds, boost collagen and elastin production (and thus reduce fine lines and wrinkles), and improve skin tone and plumpness, and more.
So, what can you use red light therapy devices for?
- Wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, dull skin, skin redness
- Hyperpigmentation
- Acne blemishes, acne scars (skin repair), Rosacea
- Eczema, Psoriasis
- Wound healing
- Broken capillaries
The Best LED Light Therapy Home Devices (For the Skin)
If you’re in a hurry, here’s a 2023 updated LED light therapy products comparison. Below you’ll find my full reviews for each device and some awesome coupon codes! 😍
Led Light Therapy Device | Bottom Line | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Aduro LED Face Mask | Best Value LED Mask | 8 colors + infrared 11 programs 218 LEDs | ✅ $343 with code MEITAL20 at Aduro Australia |
Platinum LED Therapy Lights | Highest Strength | 5 wavelengths (red & near-infrared) 200 LEDs | ✅ $598 with code MEITAL at Platinum LED |
Sola Wave | Best Portable | Red Vibration Micro current | ✅ $119 with code L20 at SolaWave |
Revive dpl IIa | Best Table-Top | Red & Infrared 154 LEDs | ✅ $399 at Revive |
Hooga Red Light Therapy | Small & Portable (12x8 inches) | Red & Near Infrared 60 LEDs | ✅ $139 with code MEITAL12 at Hooga |
Vital Charge | Best Mini LED Panel (5.5"x3.5") | Red 12 LEDs | ✅ $329 at Vital Red Light |
And now, see my reviews and pros & cons for each at-home LED light therapy device:
1. Aduro LED Mask – Best Value LED Light Therapy Mask
- Wavelengths – 800-825nm/630-633nm/415nm/505-555nm/590 nm/590nm/600nm/470nm
- Intensity – 18WM/cm2
The Aduro LED light therapy mask has 8 colors, 11 pre-programmed treatments[ (no need to overthink the colors you need), has infrared light, and is made with comfortable silicone instead of the heavy plastic most LED masks are made with.
If an LED mask is what you want, we highly recommend the Aduro LED mask (full review at the link) I tried it (and still use it!), see my results below:
2. Platinum LED Therapy Lights – Highest Strength
- Wavelengths – 660 nm/630 nm/810 nm/830 nm/850 nm
- Intensity – 129 mw/cm2
- Size – 19″x9″
The Platinum LED Therapy Lights body panel is a larger device, with 200 LEDs, made to cover more than just your face and neck – with 5 wavelengths (red & near-infrared) – and the highest irradiance on the market.
EMF radiation is close to zero, there’s no flicker or noise, and you get a 60-day money-back guarantee to try it at home.
These LED panels are the latest trend in the bio-hacking world and are being used for anti-aging, pain, inflammation, eczema & psoriasis, injury recovery, muscle performance, immunity, and more.
✅ Available at Platinum LED Therapy Lights ($598 with coupon code MEITAL)
👉 See our full Platinum LED Light Review!
Lower-Cost Alternative – Hooga Red Light Therapy Device
Hooga LED panel is a smaller, portable red light therapy panel (12×8 inches) that has 60 5W LEDs that emit both red and near-infrared wavelengths. You can easily place it anywhere while you drink your coffee in the morning, or hang it with its included hook.
Users seem to love it and rate it highly, and it is the lowest-cost LED panel on this list.
✅ Available at Hooga ($139 with code MEITAL12)
And here’s another alternative, a small red light therapy panel from the trusted LifePro brand, that offers a choice of 4 light modes – red/infrared/combined/pulsating – so you can use the best choice for your needs.
The red light mode is best for skin rejuvenation, the infrared mode is best for pain relief and muscle recovery, the combined mode treats everything, and the pulsating mode is for cell regeneration and wound healing.
Plus, it comes with a stand that can also be used as a wall-hanger, anti-slip pads on the bottom, and it has a tilt angle.
3. Project E Beauty- Best Budget LED Mask
- Wavelengths – 415nm/630nm/525nm/490nm/590nm/390nm/white (mix)
- Intensity – 29.8mW/cmw
The Project E Beauty LED Face mask was the first LED mask I purchased, and I use it to this day (though less than my favorite one – listed above).
With 7 colors to choose from, a wireless model, and a model with a neck attachment, its price just can’t be beaten. It’s the best starter LED mask, to help you figure out if the red LED light therapy works on your skin.
Project E Beauty LED Face Mask Pros:
- 7 color therapy lights
- Reasonable price
- Large treatment area, covers the entire face
- Hands-free treatment
- Lights are timed automatically, so once the 15-minute session is over, the lights will turn off and you can remove the mask.
Cons
- A bit heavy on the nose
✅ Available at Project E Beauty ($119 with coupon code IWD15), and on Amazon ($149)
Here are our results with the Project E Beauty LED mask:
4. Sola Wave – Best Portable
- Wavelength – 633nm
- Size – 0.6″x6″
.The Solawave tiny wand (6 inches long and weighing just 1 ounce) looks like a women’s razor, but instead of shaving hair, it serves as a small and portable red LED light therapy wand with microcurrent and vibration massage – that can easily fit into your pocket.
While it’s small and needs to be moved over your facial skin for a few minutes to cover all of it – you do enjoy the great benefits of microcurrent (low-current energy), red light therapy, and blood circulation boosting of vibration massage.
These combined therapies can reduce undereye puffiness, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, treat blemishes, and fade dark spots – after 2 weeks of 5-minute treatments – 3-5 times a week.
The FDA-cleared SolaWave comes with the brand’s natural serum to use on the skin before you start gliding it over your face (in an upward direction), but you can use any serum, and I recommend a LED light therapy serum for best results.
Most users are happy about their purchase and report noticeable results in less than 2 weeks – including a happier-looking and smoother skin, less puffiness and dark spots, some skin tightening, and fine line reduction.
Solawave Pros
- Small and 100% portable – can be taken anywhere and used while multitasking
- A single charge lasts for over two weeks’ worth of five-minute sessions
- 4 treatments in one – microcurrent, red light therapy, massage, and gentle warming
- Award-winning and celebrity-endorsed
- Easy to use
- Users are happy with the results
- The therapeutic heat is gentle and it doesn’t get too hot
- Comes with an Aloe Vera & Hyaluronic acid serum
Cons
- No indication for battery – you don’t know when the battery is about to run out
- Requires patiently gliding the wand for 5 minutes
- Serum will not fit everyone – it may feel too heavy for some people
- Price is mid-range
✅Available at SolaWave ($119 with code L20, free shipping and 30-day trial)
5. dpl IIa Professional Panel System – Best Table Top
- Wavelengths – 660nm/880nm
The DPL IIa Professional light therapy system covers your entire face and neck in one treatment and combines red and infrared rays for skin rejuvenation and healing.
It is comfortable to use as a tabletop device, but the panels are detachable and can be pointed anywhere in your body (for example, to treat stretch marks and cellulite).
Revive Light Therapy is a well-known and trusted brand for many years, and all its devices are FDA-cleared.
DPL II Light Therapy pros
- Large treatment area – covers the entire face
- Hands-free treatment
- Removable panels
- Short treatment time (9-15 minutes)
- Auto shut-off, no need to watch the time
- Red & infrared – can be used for pain relief too
Cons
- Not fit for travel
- No multitasking during treatment
✅ Available at Revive Light Therapy ($399), and on Amazon ($399)
6. RejuvaliteMD by TrophySkin – with Flexible Arm
- Wavelengths – 660nm/590nm/630nm/880nm
The Rejuvalite LED panel (with a flexible arm and a sturdy base) includes 120 LEDs and requires only 5 minutes of daily treatment to improve the elasticity and firmness of your skin, brighten it, and reduce fine lines, reverse sun damage and heal inflammation in your skin.
The FDA-cleared Rejuvalite comes with 4 wavelengths: Red, yellow, amber, and infrared – a great combination for both skin anti-aging and skin healing.
The panel is detachable, and when you purchase from the official site, you’ll get protective goggles as well!
Rejuvalite Pros
- FDA cleared
- 90 degrees tilt
- It covers a large treatment area, with many LEDs (powerful)
- Detachable panel
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Goggles are too small for some people
✅ Available at Trophy Skin ($249) and on Amazon ($249)
7. Amazing2015 Red Light Therapy Dome (with Infrared)
The Amazong2015 professional red LED light therapy dome comes with 4 different wavelengths and 1032 LEDs!
Here are the wavelengths:
- Red Light – 640nm – wrinkles reduction, anti-aging, scar healing, psoriasis, and eczema relief
- Blue light – 423nm – acne-causing bacteria destruction, cystic acne, skin inflammation prevention, skin purifying
- Yellow – 583nm – pigmentation reduction, improving skin softness
- Infrared – 880nm – pain relief, heat treatment
The dome structure of this device makes it very easy and comfortable to use (but adds to the price…) and you can choose to use only one color or combine two colors in one (30-minute) treatment.
Amazing2015 Dome Pros
- Automatic shut off (beeps when treatment time ends)
- A professional device with 1032 LEDs
- Easy to set up and use
- High ratings on Amazon
- It can be used for hair growth as well!
- Comes with safety goggles
Cons
- No money-back-guarantee trial (but can be returned if you buy through Amazon)
- Pulse mode is not recommended, users state that this hurts the eyes, even with the goggles on.
✅ Available on Amazon ($155)
8. Vital Charge – Best Mini LED Panel
- Wavelengths – 630nm/660nm
- Intensity – 110 mW/ cm^2
Though the Vital Charge LED Panel is about the size of an iPhone, it lights up an entire bedroom with a warm red glow and covers your entire face with a single treatment.
It contains 12 Premium 5-Watt Anti-Flicker LEDs and it’s the highest-strength small LED panel you’ll find on the market. Since it’s a strong device, you’ll need to keep it at a safe 16-24 inches distance from your face and body.
It is promoted as a handheld device, but without the stand, we wouldn’t recommend it, because no one wants to hold a bulky box for 10 minutes straight in front of their face (too much effort).
With the stand, you can just place it anywhere and point to any part of your body and use it as a pain relief tool as well (when pointed to small muscles and joints).
It comes with everything you need to take it on the go – a stand, a charger, goggles, and a carrying case.
Vital Charge Pros
- Battery lasts for 4 hours of continuous use
- No EMF radiation
- Shuts off after the 10-minute treatment is done
- Can be used for muscle and joint pain relief, and wound healing
- Comes with a much-needed carrying case, stand, and safety goggles
- 30-day trial and 1-year warranty
Cons
- May feel a bit bulky and heavy for some people
- Not a handheld device – too heavy to hold for more than 30 seconds
✅ Avaialbe at Vital Red Light ($329 with 30-day trial) and on Amazon ($249)
How Often Can You Use LED Light Therapy?
Each device comes with its own clear instructions to get the best results. Generally, we would recommend using red light therapy 4-5 times a week, starting with 15-minute treatments (for LED masks and tabletop devices) or 3 minutes per facial area for handheld red light machines.
While everyone reacts differently, You’ll probably see results after 8-12 weeks.
After you see skin rejuvenation improvement, you can reduce weekly treatment to 1-2 per week.
How Long Does it Take for Red Light Therapy to Work?
The time it takes red light therapy home treatments to work depends on your skin condition and severity. Red light therapy is not an immediate miracle maker. Changes won’t occur overnight, but it will promote ongoing anti-aging benefits anywhere from 24 hours to 3 months, depending on your condition and how often the light is used.
To see a noticeable change in wrinkles and fine lines, you may need at least a 2-month home treatment, at least 2 times a week (though some people report results faster, even after one month).
You should continue doing red light therapy home treatments once a week to maintain the improvement.
You’ll see fast improvements in your skin tone, smoothness, and brightening. Some people report this after only 2 weeks (that “healthy glow” we all want).
How Do You Prepare Your Skin for Red Light Therapy?
Always use red light therapy (phototherapy) home devices on clean skin (preferably after a gentle exfoliation) – remove any makeup, serums, or moisturizes completely. This is because they can interfere with light penetration into your skin. Make sure to not use any skincare that may cause skin sensitivity to light (like retinol) before treatment.
You can use your regular skincare after treatment as normal.
I hope my research has helped you choose the best and the right red LED light home device for you, and please let me know if there are any more questions you have – in the comments below.
To your health and happiness,
Meital
References
Avci P, Gupta A, Sadasivam M, et al. Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: stimulating, healing, restoring. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2013;32(1):41-52.
Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014;32(2):93-100. doi:10.1089/pho.2013.3616
Barolet D. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in dermatology. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2008;27(4):227-238. doi:10.1016/j.sder.2008.08.003
Can I use the red light if I have melasm on my face? Thank you
Some people experienced a worsening of melasma after using red light therapy (though most people don’t), to be on the safe side, I recommend using the green light instead, which also works and will not worsen melasma.
Does this device get warm or hot? I wish to stay away from heat.
Red light therapy devices do not get hot, except for very large devices that get slightly hot, but you are instructed to keep a certain distance away from them so you won’t feel the heat.
Hi, which device is good for light therapy for areas around eyes only? Any recommendations? Would I need to put goggles to protect eyes or just keeping eyes closed would do when wearing such masks ? Ta,
For the eye area only you can use a small red/infrared light therapy wand, there are a few options, like this one on Amazon – https://amzn.to/2FndvZs or this one by Homedics – https://fave.co/2SJYzaO
Closing your eyes is enough, you do not need goggles for a small device, but make sure to not stare at the light if it seems too bright for you. I hope this helps! :)
I have another question. Some of the masks have a separate part that goes over your neck. Would this have any kind of affect on the thyroid gland – either positive or negative that you know of? Do you think it is safe to use it on the neck in the area of the thyroid? Thanks.
There are mixed studies about pointing red light therapy to the thyroid area. Some studies say that it can’t be used by people with thyroid issues, others claim that it actually helps and is very beneficial. In my personal opinion (I’m not a doctor) it is probably beneficial for hypothyroid and may not be a good idea for a hyperthyroid.
Do you have to use eye protection with the mask? If so, what kind would you recommend?
You’ll need eye protection if you think you’ll look directly at the light, yes. There are several good ones on Amazon. Here’s an example: https://amzn.to/2u0z38o
Hi Meital: I have a 250watt red heat bulb screwed into an aluminum incandescent light fixture. I have been using this on my face 6” away for 10 minute sessions. Is this good for the anti aging process and what’s your recommended usage?
Thanks, do you have any brands you recommend? Also does anyone know if these diminish varicose veins?
Can any of these be used if I have a pacemaker
Red light therapy devices are electric and so may interfere with pacemakers. To stay on the safe side I would advise not to use it, or consult with your doctor first.
Do you know of any data or research for Red Light Therapy and people of color?
To my knowledge, there should be no problem for people of color with red light therapy – just as safe and effective.
No, I haven’t. Have you?
I would not be concerned by FDA approval! There are many wonderful things we use everyday that are not FDA approved. The FDA allows a great number of insects in canned, dried, and frozen foods. They also allow a percentage of arsenic and alloys in food and drugs. I do not put a lot of faith in the FDA “approvals”.
Would red light therapy be any good for the thin skin on my arms and cappillieries that keep bursting?
Yes, it may help. Definitely worth a try. It increases blood circulation in the area. Good luck!
Thank you for your help.
Would I be able to use the green led light in between the days I don’t use the red led one?
Yes, you can. But make sure to listen to your body. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the information.
I have another question. Would I be able to use the anti pigment light also, after using the anti wrinkle light?
I’m using the red every other day, in between would I be able to use the other ones? I’m sorry I don’t have instructions with my box that’s why I’m asking
Thank you in advance
You can use the green light right after you’re done with the red light – but for less time. 10 minutes can be enough.
I have the Sirius Aurora Light Therapy one, can the red light touch my skin (face) or away from it? May I use it on daily basis or every other day? May I put aloe Vera after the use?
Yes, you can touch your face with your specific device, I’m sure the instructions say that clearly. You can use every day but no more than 5 times a week, to allow tour skin to regenerate. And yes, of course you can Aloe Vera or any other product after your red LED light therapy treatment.
Which device are you referring to when you say it’s not FDA cleared?
As for the other mask, you mean I tried the Aduro 7+1, not the Acura and I used it after the Project E mask. It’s what I use now and I’m satisfied with it. At this point I would recommend the Aduro a bit more than the Project E, but it’s much more expensive. I hope this helps.
I haven’t seen the show, you can send me the link for the show if it’s online, and I’ll check.
Which one are you referring to?
project e mask
I have it at home and use it for months. To me it seems well made and high quality. Many red LED light devices are not cleared by the FDA, but the general technology is cleared for skin anti aging.
Thank you so much.
Can you put serums while using red light therapy?
You can, but only after treatments. Here are the best serums to use with LED light therapy!
It is better to allow a few days for the skin to “relax” – every week. I never use more than 4-5 days a week.
If I buy a hand held Red LED w/ Infrared light, would I also be able to safely use it on my scalp to stimulate hair growth around my temples?
Or is the light needed for hair growth a different wavelength, then say the light found in the Baby Quasar Pur Rayz.
It’s the same wavelength, but it’s going to be hard work holding it and using it on each side of your scalp every day. Check out my post about regrowing hair with red light therapy
is it possible if we use the LED in our face then it could stimulate the facial hair growth too? i think i read in a forum where they use the LED in conjunction with dermarolling and found more facial hair
To my knowledge, red light therapy can not grow new hair on your face, where hair hasn’t been before. I use a LED light mask for months and no hair has grown on my face.