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 wands, red light therapy wands, and helmets all competing for my chargers actually doing anything, apart from casting an alluringly selfie-ready glow?
Vogue’s Favorite Red Light Therapy Devices
Laduora Lumeo 4D Current Red Light Therapy Skincare Kit
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Currentbody LED Light Therapy Face Mask: Series 2
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The answer is yes, at-home LED therapy can work to improve skin health—and devices for home use even their advantages to professional treatments. But there is a caveat. “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.” That said, red light is an additional complexion aid—not an excuse to skip out on skincare. “Optimal at-home results will be achieved while combining light therapy treatments with a well-designed skincare routine,” says Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist.
Ahead, discover everything you need to know about red light therapy at home, and Vogue’s top picks for the devices that are worth their weight in wavelengths.
What to Know About Red Light Therapy:
Best for Contour: Laduora Lumeo SkinLift 4D Current Red Light Therapy Kit
Laduora
Lumeo 4D Current Red Light Therapy Skincare Kit
Why We Love It: When celebrities like Jenna Ortega want to hit the red carpet with intensely chiseled cheekbones, they throw a little Laduora Lumeo treatment into their glam session. Beloved by pro makeup artists, the device harnesses red light therapy, near-infrared light, and the patented 4D Infusion technology to snatch the face into sleek, contoured shape. Clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, the device—a favorite of pro makeup artists—also lends a hint of the spa to one’s daily beauty routine. Its therapeutic massage is like a mini facial that boosts circulation for a fresh-from-the-treatment-table glow.
Best Spot Treatment: Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
Solawave
Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
A Vogue editor favorite, Solawave’s four-in-one device handily smooths fine lines and wrinkles, brightens dark circles, and boosts serum absorption in just a few minutes with consistent use. All the while, it delivers a depuffing face massage, which boosts circulation. “This handheld, travel-friendly device is a fantastic tool that combines red light therapy, galvanic current, massage, and warmth to address a range of skin concerns,” Dr. Engelman says. “The galvanic current works to tone and firm the face while reducing puffiness for a brighter and smoother complexion. Plus, the vibration massages serums into the skin barrier to enhance absorption.”
Best K-Beauty: Medicube Age-R Booster Pro
Made TikTok-famous with help from celebrities like Hailey Bieber—who used the six-in-one device in a buzzy “Get Ready With Me” video a couple of years ago—Medicube’s K-beauty sensation piqued the curiosity of Vogue’s senior beauty shopping writer, Kiana Murden. Before testing the much-hyped product, Murden checked in with dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, who echoed Bieber’s sentiments. “I love the Medicube Age-R Booster-H,” Dr. Engelman told Murden. “I use it nightly for five minutes all over my face—super easy, painless, and efficient.” With five colors of LED light, including red to promote elasticity and green to plump fine lines and wrinkles, the product’s main claim to fame is its ability to enhance product absorption and create the glass-skin glow that’s a hallmark of the best K-beauty products. And how does it do this, you may ask? “The Medicube Age-R Boosteer-H works by generating electro-passageways through electrical stimulation, allowing your products to penetrate the skin more deeply,” Dr. Engelman said. “According to clinical studies by the brand, this device increases skin permeability by 490%, allowing for better product absorption, amplifying the benefits of your skin care and helping skin become healthier and more glowy.”
Best for Neck: Currentbody Skin LED Neck and Dec Perfector
Currentbody
LED Neck and Dec Perfector
Currentbody’s lightweight device wraps comfortably around the neck and the decolletage, where its red and near-infrared lights stimulate collagen production and give the skin a smoother, more youthful appearance. “So many of my patients are focused on their face, but I always remind them we can’t ignore our neck and chest,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicole Ruth says. “CurrentBody’s neck and chest mask is lightweight and comfortable. You can use it while sitting in bed reading or catching up on emails.” Dr. Engelman adds: “This is a targeted device for the neck and chest area, which is often neglected from sun protection, causing accelerated aging. It uses red light at 633 nanometers and infrared light at 830 nanometers to stimulate cell renewal for firmer and tighter skin.”