Red light therapy devices are super popular in 2023. We see them everywhere. But with prices ranging from tens to thousands of dollars, how do you know which one to buy? We’re going to dive what makes a red light therapy device great, what red light therapy even does, and two brands offering results, making them the best red light therapy devices.
What is red light therapy? How do I know if it’s right for me and what are the best red light therapy devices? Read on to answer all these questions and I’ll explain why HigherDOSE and TrueLight each have a red light therapy device that will help you get all the red light therapy benefits.
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them, and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
What is Red Light Therapy?
Red light is the section of the visible light spectrum that causes our eyes to see the color red. It has a wavelength of 633 nanometers.
Red light therapy is placing a red light device near or on your skin to receive its benefits.
It is thought that red light therapy works by activating the mitochondria in our cells, which leads to cellular energy to heal and repair.
It works by using an LED to shine the appropriate wavelength of light onto the area of the skin that needs treatment. This light then interacts with the skin to have an effect. This works because within the skin are molecules that can absorb light through what is known as a chromophore. This is a small section of a molecule that has a physical change when it is excited by light.
What are the benefits of red light therapy devices?
There have been many studies and clinical trials done with red light therapy. Most use a combination of red light and near infrared light.
Red and yellow light (a mixture of red and green light) can be used to target increasing circulation and reducing scarring. Near-infrared light therapy helps with reducing inflammation and increasing collagen. Having a device that provides red light AND near infrared light is key in achieving maximum results.
Here are some potential benefits of red light therapy that can be achieved with at-home use:
- Aid in muscle recovery
- Reduce inflammation
- Reducing scars/wrinkles
- Pain relief
- Enhances blood circulation/blood flow
- Increase scalp hair growth
- Reduction in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boost collagen production
- Effective treatment for rosacea and may help keep rosacea under control
- Treatment of acne
- Psoriasis
- Wound healing
- Reduction of stretch marks
- Reduction in age spots/dark spots and improve sun damage
Near infrared light therapy may also have a beneficial impact on cognitive performance, memory and neurons. In particular, it may contribute to slowing the progression in neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Perhaps one of the coolest potential benefits of red light therapy.
What are the different types of at-home red light therapy devices?
When looking for an at home red light therapy tool, it’s important to think about budget, storage space and how you intend to use the device. The wavelengths of the light are also important.
Here’s what to look for in red light therapy devices:
- You want a device that emits light between 630nm and 660nm so the light will reach the mitochondria.
- A device that emits near infrared light (between 700nm and 1,100 nm, with between 800-880nm being ideal) will be able to help with pain in muscles and bones and aid in muscle recovery as near infrared light is able to penetrate deeper.
- If you find a device that also emits yellow light (like the TrueLight devices), it may help with skin health by helping to rejuvenate skin cells.
Face mask
An LED mask like the Red Light Face Mask is great for targeting only the face, can be used while multi-tasking and most masks, including the HigherDOSE mask, are battery powered so you don’t have to be plugged into a wall. This makes a great solution if you won’t be able to sit still, next to an outlet to do your red light treatment.
As a bonus, it seems that using red and near red infrared light on the forehead is likely the best way to achieve at home benefits of red light therapy for brain function. A mask like the Red Light Face Mask covers the forehead and delivers red and near infrared light.
Handheld device
TrueLight offers one of the best red light therapy devices. It actually comes with a stand and can be set up and used without holding. A handheld device is convenient as it is small enough to store away easy and you can use it to target a specific treatment area, including the face.
Using the code WELLNESSTRICKLE will get you 10% off your TrueLight purchase.
A full body system
TrueLight also has an “Energy Trism,” which is essentially three of the Energy Squares together. It is a much larger system, with more of an investment cost and requires more storage space. But this can be a great option if you’re looking for an entire body treatment.
Red Light Therapy wands
A newer type of device that looks like a razor and you move it around like a razor, but it’s putting red light on your skin. I have not tried these types of devices, so I cannot give a review. They do fit in the palm of your hand, which is great, but seems inconvenient to have to move it around your treatment area. Please comment below if you have used one. I’d love to learn more.
A look at HigherDOSE’s Red Light Face Mask
I love using the Red Light Face Mask. While it’s made to be completely portable and free you up for multi tasking, I like to lay down while using it. I generally use it after I wash my face in the morning, and before I put my face serums on. When I use this mask three times a week for 20 minutes, I find my rosacea starts to clear up after two or three weeks.
Here are the top benefits of the Red Light Face Mask:
- It’s easy to use
- It’s comfortable
- You can move around while it’s attached
- Great value for the cost
- I see an obvious improvement in my skin after regular use
- Built-in timer you can set to ten or twenty minutes
- Comes with a carrying bag for easy storage
- The most portable red light therapy device. Since it’s battery powered, you can easily take this high quality device anywhere.
Board-certified dermatologist, and contributor for Wellness Trickle, Dr. Trent wrote about using Red Light Therapy for Rosacea where she broke down the facts and concluded that it’s a great treatment for rosacea.
Having a mask to cover your entire face at one time, like the Red Light Face Mask, is a great option to treat rosacea, and I have personally found my rosacea to be minimized or gone with regular use.
A look at TrueLight’s Red Light Therapy Energy Square
The Energy Square is amazing! It has to be plugged into the wall, but the cord is really long, so it can reach halfway across a room. I have found laying on a yoga mat in my office works perfect. It’s best to do red light therapy on clean skin, so after a shower, before moisturizing. But I still see benefits if I lay it on my skin and leave it while watching TV with my family at the end of the day (before I’ve showered).
I do this when I’m having a psoriatic arthritis flare, where I get terrible pain in my legs. It helps tremendously.
Here are the top benefits of the Energy Square:
- Easy to use
- Includes a 10′ long cord
- Five different settings and ability to use red, yellow, near infrared lights and/or a combination of those
- The option to have steady or pulsating light, which helps with cellular healing
- Includes a remote to easily change settings
- Great value for the cost
- I see an improvement with my energy and pain after regular use
- Built-in timer you can set for twenty minutes
- Comes with a carrying bag for easy storage
Using the code WELLNESSTRICKLE will get you 10% off your TrueLight purchase.
When is it best to use red light therapy devices?
Your red light therapy device can be used any time of day. But I’d like to make a few points.
Red light doesn’t interfere with your circadian rhythm, BUT bright lights in general right before sleeping may make it difficult to fall asleep. Try to at least have an hour in between use and bedtime.
It’s best to use on clean, bare (unclothed) skin, but before you apply your serums and moisturizers.
If you are targeting muscle recovery from workouts, it’s best to use after a workout.
If you are trying to enhance focus or cognitive function, the morning may be best.
For most purposes, you likely receive full benefits no matter the time of day.
How much should I use red light therapy devices?
According to Ari Whitten in his book “The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy,” for best results you can use your red light therapy device 3-7 times per week for 10-20 minutes per day. This means the total time in a day that you are using your device is no more than 20 minutes. So if you use your fast mask for 10 minutes, you wouldn’t use another device in another area for more than 10 minutes.
It’s best to start slow, especially if you are not in optimal health.
When I was first starting out, I used my devices for 5 minutes at a time each.
How I use my red light therapy devices
Why do I have a mask and handheld device? Well, I’m extra I suppose. I originally bought the Red Light Face Mask for my rosacea and psoriasis on my face. It worked really well and after reading “The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy“, I was convinced I needed red light therapy on the rest of my body.
I use the mask in the mornings, after I wash my face and before my face serums/moisturizer for 10-20 minutes, 1-3 times a week.
I use my handheld Energy Square in the middle of the day when I need a break or at the end of the day, when my arthritic body is at peak aching.
How long until I see results from red light therapy devices?
Results will depend on what you’re treating and how consistent you are. To give a conservative estimate, expect to see results in 3-4 months with regular use.
It’s a bit harder to track things like cellular function than it is when you are treating various skin concerns. If you take pictures at the start, you can refer back to make sure it’s working.
While we all want things right away, if you incorporate the mask or the square into your daily routine, it won’t feel like so long.
I have found that when I do it, it helps me meditate and I get my daily meditation in at the same time.
If I am having a rosacea flare, it’s usually because of stress or what I’ve been eating and I can usually get it to start to clear up after two or three weeks of 20 mins a day, 3-4 days a week.
The bottom line
Red light therapy can be a great addition to your wellness routine. Helping ailments from skin conditions to fatigue and pain in as little as 10-20 minutes a day, a few times a week.
If you’re considering red light therapy, it is worth the investment to purchase your own LED light therapy device. For best results you want to stay consistent at using it. When you can use the device in the comfort of your own home, you’re more likely to keep with the consistency.
There are no known side effects to using red light therapy and it is considered safe to use regularly, up to 20 minutes per day.
Take Action
Start using your red light therapy device at least 3 days a week for 10 minutes a day. If you are battling illness, start with less time and see how you feel. More isn’t always better.
Head over to HigherDOSE to purchase the Red Light Face Mask. It comes with a one year warranty and has over 130 five star reviews. This is a great option for someone who wants to multi task while getting their red light therapy in or if you are trying to target results on your face, like rosacea.
Truelight’s Light Therapy Energy Square 2.4 is another great, affordable product. Backed by science and Dave Asprey (a biohacking expert), it works great, has five different settings so you can target multiple different benefits and is easy to use.
Using the code WELLNESSTRICKLE will get you 10% off your TrueLight purchase.
Want to learn more about red light therapy? Ari Whitten, creator of The Energy Blueprint, a fatigue specialist and someone with over 20 years researching health science has a book called “The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy” and is full of great information.
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