The 8 Best Red Light Therapy Home Devices (2024)

best red light therapy devices for the skin

Red light therapy home devices make the most cost-effective technology to transform your skin, leaving it looking vibrant, youthful, and with an undeniable glow.

Harnessing the power of LED light therapy, this innovative skincare technique has taken the beauty world by storm, including celebrities such as Chrissy Teigen, Victoria Beckham, Julia Roberts, Kelly Rowland, Lena Dunham, Emma Stone, and many more.

Why?

Because LED face masks offer a radiant complexion, reduced wrinkles, and smoother texture –  without the need for invasive procedures or expensive dermatologist visits.

The Red light wavelength (the most used light therapy color) penetrates deep into your skin, stimulating collagen production and enhancing cellular regeneration.

On top of that, red light therapy is proven to heal mild-to-moderate acne, promote wound healing, and hair growth, and even reduce eczema and psoriasis.

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 our new and updated Red LED light therapy reviews and comparisons.

Ready to start your at-home red LED facials?

Let’s go.

👉 In a Hurry?

See our top picks compared below, followed by our full red light therapy reviews.

This post may contain affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.

What Does Red Light Therapy Do to Your Skin?

what does red 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
  • Hair Growth (through laser hair caps)

The Best Red Light Therapy Home Devices (Masks/Panels/Wands)

All devices below are FDA-cleared!

👉 For full body treatments – see the 4 Best Red Light Therapy Mats

1. Aduro LED Mask – Best Value LED Face Mask

best value LED light therapy mask

  • Colors – red/blue/green/yellow/light orange/purple/Turquoise-blue/infrared
  • Intensity – 18WM/cm2
  • Programs – 11

$340 with my coupon code MEITAL20 at Aduro Australia

LED face masks are easy to use and cover the entire facial skin in one treatment, and the best ones are cordless s you can use the time to do anything you want around the house.

They are generally safe for the eyes because the eye area is cut out, but it’s always advised to avoid looking straight at the LEDs.

👉 Our top pick is the FDA-cleared LED face mask we have at home – see our results in our Aduro LED Mask trial.

The Aduro LED light therapy mask has 8 colors, 11 pre-programmed treatments (no need to overthink the colors you need), infrared light, and is made with comfortable silicone instead of the heavy plastic most LED masks are made with.

best red light therapy mask
Flexible & comfortable

Each program you choose includes the best wavelengths to reach your goal. For example, the “Skin Booster” program includes both the red and infrared wavelengths, that promote collagen and heal the skin.

The “Acne-Buster” program will include the blue wavelengths – proven to kill acne-causing bacteria.

See all the programs on the Aduro website (and don’t forget to use my coupon code MEITAL20)

Which Red Light Device is Right for You? Our Free PDF will help you find out – in 2 minutes!

2. Platinum LED Therapy Lights – Strongest at-Home Red Light Therapy

strongest at home red light therapy panel

  • Colors – red & infrared (660 nm/630 nm/810 nm/830 nm/850 nm)
  • Irradaiance – 129 mw/cm2
  • Size – 19″ x 9″

$598 at Platinum LED Therapy Lights

While LED face masks are more convenient, they lack the strength of red light therapy panels, which include more LEDs, and stronger irradiance, and can be used for larger areas than just the face.

The Platinum LED Therapy panels (FDA-cleared) are the strongest at home red light therapy panels and combine the most science-backed red & infrared wavelengths.

(👉 See our full Platinum LED Therapy Light Review)

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.

The most cost-effective model is the Biomax 300, which has 200 LEDs, with 5 wavelengths of red & near-infrared – and the highest irradiance you can find.

The panel’s 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.

Available at Platinum LED Therapy Lights ($598 with my coupon code)

Lower-Cost Alternative – Hooga Red Light Therapy Device

hooga red light therapy device
Small, portable, and low cost$123 with code MEITAL12 at Hooga

The Hooga LED panel is a smaller, portable red light therapy panel (12 x 8 inches) with 60 5W LEDs that emit both red and near-infrared wavelengths.

You can place it anywhere while you drink your coffee 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 ($123 with code MEITAL12)

And here’s another alternative, a small red light therapy panel from the trusted LifePro brand (FD-cleared), that offers a choice of 4 light modes – red/infrared/combined/pulsating – so you can use the best choice for your needs.

lifepro bioheal red ligth therapy panel
BioHeal – 4 light modes – $179 at LifePro

The red light mode is best for skin rejuvenation, the infrared 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, it has anti-slip pads on the bottom and a tilt angle.

3. Project E Beauty-  Best Budget LED Mask

project e beauty led mask

  • Colors – red/blue/green/cyan/yellow/purple/white (mix)
  • Intensity – 29.8mW/cm^2
  • Material – plastic

$111 at Project E Beauty (with code SKINCARE101)

The Project E Beauty LED Face mask was the first LED mask I purchased, and my 30-day results are here – at my Project E Beauty LED Mask Review.

With 7 colors and a much lower price tag, it’s the best starter LED mask to help you determine if the red LED light therapy works for you.

LED light therapy mask

Other than the usual red & infrared wavelengths, you’ll find green light, which is the best one for hyperpigmentation, the acne-busting blue light, and the skin-calming purple wavelength, among others.

The mask shuts off automatically after 15 minutes, but the mask is corded and you can’t move around with it. The material is rigid and may feel heavy on the nose.

However, these drawbacks are compensated by a much lower price than the high-end LED masks.

Available at Project E Beauty ($111 with code SKINCARE101), and on Amazon ($149)

Attention
Check out my reviews for the TOP 8 LED Face Masks for LED facials of 2024

4. Sola Wave – Best Portable

solawave facial wand

  • Wavelength – 633nm
  • Size – 0.6″ x 6″

$169 on Amazon

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, 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 an LED light therapy serum for best results.

Most users are happy about their purchase and report noticeable results in less than 2 weeks – including happier and smoother skin, less puffiness and dark spots, some skin tightening, and fine line reduction.

solawave before and after

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 and 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
  • The serum will not fit everyone – it may feel too heavy for some people
  • Price is mid-range

Available on Amazon ($169)

5. dpl IIa Professional Panel System – Best Table Top

revive LED light therapy panel

Attention
See our detailed Revive Light Therapy reviews, where we’ve compared 3 different models (panel & handheld devices)
  • Colors – red/infrared
  • Treatment area – 10 x 14 inches

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.

led light therapy panel for rosacea

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 has been 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 with free shipping), and on Amazon ($399)

6. Vital Charge – Best Mini LED Panel

vital charge review

  • Size – 6 x 3 x 1.5 inches
  • Wavelengths – 630nm/660nm
  • LEDs – 12 (5-watt each)
  • Intensity – 110 mW/ cm^2

The Vital Charge LED Panel is about the size of an iPhone, weighs only 1.3 pounds, 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.

The Vital Charge 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).

vital red light review
The size of an iPhone, with high-strength LEDs

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.

Pros

  • Battery lasts for 4 hours of continuous use
  • No EMF radiation
  • Shuts off after the 10-minute treatment is done
  • It 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

Available on Amazon

7. Bestqool Led Light Therapy Dome (with Infrared) 

infrared light therapy dome

  • Size – 16″ x 10″ x 9″
  • LEDs – 200
  • Irradiance – 36 Joules/cm²

$245 on Amazon ⬇️Price

The Bestqool LED light therapy dome comes with 7 different wavelengths and 200 medical-grade LEDs!

Here are the wavelengths:

  • Red Light – 630 nm – wrinkles reduction, anti-aging, scar healing, psoriasis, and eczema relief
  • Blue light – 470 nm – acne-causing bacteria destruction, cystic acne, skin inflammation prevention, skin purifying
  • Yellow – 590 nm – pigmentation reduction, improving skin softness
  • Near Infrared – 850 nm – pain relief, heat treatment
  • Orange – 610 nm – mood enhancement, immunity boosting
  • Green – 525 nm – hyperpigmentation, anxiety, migraines

(See the full list of light therapy colors)

The dome structure of this device makes it very easy and comfortable to use (it even has a built-in fan to relieve possible heat inside) and you can choose your preferred settings in the convenient LCD touchscreen.

bestqool led light therapy dome

 Pros

  • Automatic shut off (beeps when treatment time ends)
  • A professional device with 200 LEDs
  • Easy to set up and use
  • High ratings on Amazon
  • It can be used for hair growth as well!
  • Comes with safety goggles
  • 2-year warranty

Cons

  • Quite large and heavy, not as portable as an LED face mask,

Available on Amazon ($245 with code under the price)

Red Light Therapy Mask vs. Panels 

red light therapy face masks vs. panels

A red light therapy mask and a red light therapy panel have some differences in terms of convenience, effectiveness, ease of use, cost, light spectrum, and penetration.

The red light therapy mask is convenient because it doesn’t require you to hold it in place, and you can use it anywhere.

You can even do other activities like reading or watching TV while using it.

However, this convenience comes at the cost of effectiveness. LED masks are generally weaker than LED panels in terms of light penetration.

The effectiveness of red light therapy depends on the light reaching the middle layer of the skin, where collagen and elastin reside.

LED masks may not penetrate deeply enough or cover enough surface area to be as effective.

In terms of light spectrum, LED masks often emit a broad spectrum of light, including colors like amber, blue, green, yellow, and white.

However, some colors of light were not proven to have therapeutic benefits.

Legitimate red light therapy panels use targeted wavelengths of red and near-infrared light, which penetrate deep into the skin and promote healing.

While it’s true that the light from LED masks may not penetrate as deeply as some red light therapy panels, it can still provide noticeable results when used correctly and consistently.

Dermatologists argue that even superficial penetration can have positive effects on the skin, such as reducing inflammation and improving overall skin tone.

LED Face Masks vs. Wands

LED face masks vs. wands

Think of a red light therapy mask as a wide paintbrush that covers a large canvas, while a red light therapy wand is like a fine-tip pen used for detailed drawing.

A red light therapy mask is designed to cover a larger area of the face, providing a more even distribution of red light.

It can target the whole face simultaneously, allowing for a hands-free treatment.

With a red light therapy wand, you have the flexibility to target specific areas or body parts precisely.

It allows you to focus the treatment on specific concerns or areas of interest, making it efficient for localized treatment, such as wound healing, acne and acne scars, wrinkles, and even joint pain relief.

LED face masks typically have a lower irradiance (strength) level since the light is spread out over a larger area.

However, this ensures a gentle and comfortable treatment experience.

In comparison, wands’ irradiance can vary depending on the device and the specific LEDs used.

Some wands may offer higher irradiance levels, allowing for a more intense treatment in targeted areas.

This can deliver a more intense treatment but you’ll need to move it around and cover all the areas you want to treat – making treatment time longer.

As for the price, LED light therapy wands are generally cheaper than the Top-Rated LED Face Masks.

How Often Can You Use LED Light Therapy?

Each device comes with 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 RLT 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 moisturizers completely.

This is because they can interfere with light penetration into your skin.

Make sure to avoid any skincare that may cause skin sensitivity to light (like retinol) before treatment.

You can use your regular skincare after treatment as normal.

What's the best serum to use with LED light therapy?
We’ve researched and found the best serum to use with LED light therapy, and share the secret upgrade to your LED facials!

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 dermatologySemin Cutan Med Surg. 2008;27(4):227-238. doi:10.1016/j.sder.2008.08.003

Meital James
Founder and CEO of 4 healthy living blogs, has a background in Naturopathic medicine, research, journalism, and nutrition. Her blogs are the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and experience and all the posts are verified by scientific findings.

39 thoughts on “The 8 Best Red Light Therapy Home Devices (2024)”

    • 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.

      Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  1. 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,

    Reply
  2. 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.

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  3. 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?

    Reply
  4. Thanks, do you have any brands you recommend? Also does anyone know if these diminish varicose veins?

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  5. 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”.

    Reply
  6. Would red light therapy be any good for the thin skin on my arms and cappillieries that keep bursting?

    Reply
  7. 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?

    Reply
  8. 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

    Reply
  9. 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?

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  10. 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.

    Reply
  11. 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.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.