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 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?
Winter brings dry air, harsh winds, and other foes to a healthy glow. As it happens, those same moisture-wicking forces make it tempting to light a fire, pull out the Scrabble board, and postpone aesthetic treatments for another day. Here’s the good news: If you use one of the best red light therapy devices at home this season, your skin may even forgive you for a delayed clinic visit or two. Plus, imagine the savings.
Vogue’s Favorite Red Light Therapy Devices
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Best Red Light Therapy WandLightStim LightStim for WrinklesJump to review$249
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“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.”
Granted, consumer-facing devices can’t do it all, so don’t retire your tried-and-true serums, moisturizers, and professional treatments just yet. Instead, think of the best red light therapy devices as a glowing enhancement to any at-home skin-care routine—and don’t be surprised if the results of your in-office procedures start to last a little longer. (All the better for looking fresh and dewy for all winter plans, even if those simply entail thumbing through a novel at home.)
The trick? Finding the red light therapy tool that addresses your concerns, whether it’s fine lines, puffy under eyes, or blemishes. For it to work, you’ll also need to use the device consistently, so consider convenience, how the treatment time meshes with your schedule, and any appealing perks (built-in scalp massage, anyone?) as you browse the list below. Ahead, discover everything you need to know about red light therapy at home, and study up on the devices that Vogue editors and skin-care pros will vouch for every single time.
In This Story
- 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
- Meet the Experts
