The 10 Best Red Light Therapy Devices Skin Experts Love
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The 10 Best Red Light Therapy Devices Skin Experts Love
Even if you're new to the world of beauty tech, chances are you've already heard of red light therapy, which is a skin-boosting staple in spas and professional offices alike. Unlike blue light, which is typically used to treat acne, red light has a longer wavelength that allows it to more deeply penetrate multiple layers of skin.
"Red light therapy has been around for quite some time," board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the UT Southwestern Kristel Polder tells BAZAAR.com. "Past studies have shown that it can improve wound healing and overall recovery post procedure. For example, we use red light therapy after lasers, and other treatments we offer at our practice to expedite healing. This kind of therapy has also been utilized for its anti-aging properties."
While at-home red light therapy devices are high-powered enough to emit energy that makes a noticeable difference in skin's tone and texture, experts advise that they're not a magic bullet, and are best used for smaller improvements over the course of three to six months. "I think red light therapy is good for maintenance, but I don't think it will replace Botox, fillers, or laser resurfacing," adds board-certified dermatologist Shirley Chi.
For a closer look at the best red light therapy options that are actually worth the buy, we asked dermatologists about some of their favorites. Read on for some of their top picks (some of which BAZAAR editors have already tested and reviewed), which include tools for the skin on your face, like LightStim's popular LightStim device for wrinkles, and on your scalp, like the Capillus CapillusUltra Laser Cap for Hair Regrowth, for a supreme glow up from the comfort of home.
Saks Fifth Avenue - 2/11
LightStim for Wrinkles
LightStim
bluemercury.com
$249.00
Chi often recommends LightStim for Wrinkles to her clients, since it uses varied wavelengths of light energy to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it's also one of the first LED devices that's FDA-cleared to treat wrinkles on the entire face.
Bluemercury - 3/11
DRx SpectraLite Dpl FaceWare Pro
Dr Dennis Gross
amazon.com
$435.00
This customizable LED mask from the experts at Dr. Dennis Gross contains three treatment settings, and uses 100 light emitting diodes while in its red mode.
Amazon - 4/11
Laser Hair Growth Comb
HairMax
amazon.com
$199.00
In addition to using the best hair growth serums and supplements, professionals say red light therapy devices, like this comb from Hairmax, can help increase its density starting at the root. "There is some evidence that like the Hairmax laser has been shown to be able to thicken hair and to increase circulation in the scalp, which then stimulates like the upper follicles," Chi says.
Amazon - 5/11
Advanced Skincare Wand With Red Light Therapy
Solawave
bluemercury.com
$149.00
Celebrities like Sydney Sweeney and Nicole Kidman count themselves as fans of SolaWave's Advanced Skincare Wand With Red Light Therapy, and so do I after testing it out for myself. Its sculpting and anti-aging benefits are enough of a draw to use this tool every day, but add in its soothing warmth and vibration, and it's easily a holy-grail essential.
Bluemercury - 6/11
Shani Darden by Déesse Pro LED Light Mask
Shani Darden Skin Care
sephora.com
$1900.00
Created by celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden, this pro-level LED mask aims to reduce the appearance of acne, pigmentation, and wrinkles, and even nicely includes a neck piece to reach your décolleté.
Sephora - 7/11
CapillusUltra Laser Cap for Hair Regrowth
currentbody.com
$559.00
"Red light can stimulate hair growth by improving energy production at a cellular level as well as increasing blood supply," board-certified dermatologist Lauren Penzi adds. "As with any hair growth treatment, consistent use is crucial."
CurrentBody - 8/11
Women's Crystal LED Face Mask
Angela Caglia
saksfifthavenue.com
$495.00
"I love using LED because my philosophy is to protect and nourish the lipid barrier," celebrity aesthetician Angela Caglia previously told BAZAAR.com in reference to her best-selling crystal face mask. "There are many invasive treatments available, whether it's needles or lasers, that work to trick the skin into thinking it's been wounded to rebuild c ollagen. But if you use LED, they're actually healing for the outermost layer of skin, or lipid barrier."
Saks Fifth Avenue - 9/11
LED Light Energy Mask
ora
ulta.com
$75.00
For a more budget-friendly red light therapy option, Penzi recommends this mask from Ora, which includes seven LED light color modes that are clinically proven to reduce wrinkles.
Ulta - 10/11
TheraFace Pro
therabody.com
$399.00
We've said it before and we'll say it again: Therabody's do-it-all TheraFace Pro is one of our favorite beauty devices, maybe ever. From its built-in percussive massage feature to options for targeted microcurrent and red light therapy, it's no wonder beauty tastemakers named the tool one of the best in 2022.
Therabody - 11/11
MMSphere2GO
mmskincare.com
$395.00
If you're looking to maintain more even, wrinkle-free skin on-the-go, consider this portable red light device that was created by board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur. "This device features a smaller, compact sphere with nine light settings that's perfect to use while traveling," Penzi notes.
MMSkincare
