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Smooth Fine Lines Away With These Expert-Loved Red Light Therapy Wands
Expect precise, fine-line-smoothing results from these portable devices.
On the journey to smooth, clear, wrinkle-free skin, red light therapy has proven to be one of the few gold standards. Once reserved for professionals and those who could afford pricey in-office sessions, red light therapy is now widely accessible, thanks to a range of at-home LED devices, designed specifically for head-to-toe rejuvenation. While LED face masks are growing in both popularity and technological advancements, the influx of compact red light therapy wands has made targeting specific areas, both on and beyond the face, more achievable.
Our Top Red Light Therapy Wands
Red light masks and wands have their place in a skin care routine, and which one you choose really depends on what you’re looking to treat. “Red light therapy wand allows precise targeting of skin areas, and provides flexibility to use in hard-to-reach areas such as back, neck, or other areas that otherwise would be inaccessible by a mask,” double board-certified dermatologist Morayo Adisa explains.
On a smaller, more targeted scale, red light therapy wands pump out similar functionality to their larger mask counterparts. “[These] are handheld devices that emit specific wavelengths of red light and near-infrared light (630-850nm) that penetrate the dermis to stimulate cellular energy production,” explains Dr. Pooja Rambhia, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in NYC. “These portable tools deliver low-level light therapy directly to targeted areas of the skin, promoting cellular regeneration and collagen production through photobiomodulation.”
With a growing number of red light therapy wands emerging, we consulted with Adisa, Rambhia, and ELLE.com editors to narrow down the best red light therapy wands for comprehensive skin renewal.
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- Ideal for targeted areas like under eye
Cons
- Battery life could be better
Solawave is one of the originators of condensing red light tech into a hyper-portable wand form. It’s a favorite among dermatologists, including Dr. Pooja Rambhia, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. “The SolaWave wand combines red light therapy with microcurrent, therapeutic warmth, and facial massage, making it a multifunctional tool for stimulating collagen, improving skin tone, and enhancing product absorption,” she explains. There’s only one power setting, which has a pre-set three-minute treatment timer for each area of the face. The device head also rotates for easier maneuvering around the contours of the face and neck. Plus, it’s wireless and water-resistant.
Number of settings: 1
Number of bulbs: 5
An Amazon reviewer says: "After 2–3 weeks of consistent use (about 5 mins a day), I noticed my skin looking more radiant and plump. The red light therapy seems to help calm inflammation and post-acne marks. Using it over a serum definitely helps it penetrate better, and my skin feels smoother afterward."
Pros
- Treatment head covers a larger surface area
- Built-in beeping treatment guide
Cons
- Not cordless
Dr. Rambhia also loves LightStim's corded wand. "The LightStim Wrinkles device delivers a combination of red, amber, and infrared light wavelengths that penetrate at varying depths to support collagen production and reduce the appearance of fine lines,” Rambhia points out. The small but powerful treatment head has 72 LED bulbs tucked inside; it also features a three-minute timer built in that beeps when it’s time to move to a new area of the face.
Number of settings: 1
Number of bulbs: 72
An Amazon reviewer says: "I love having this in my home because it is compact, easy to use, and produces results! I actually purchased it to use on my psoriasis patches—it cleared away my patches, and now I just need to use it occasionally as maintenance treatment. AMAZING!"
Revive Light Therapy Glō Portable LED Light Therapy Device
Pros
- Treats both aging concerns and acne
- Cordless
Cons
- Some customers note the lifespan could be better
Glō packs both line-smoothing and breakout-fighting into one ergonomic device. There's blue light to help treat acne by killing bacteria, a combo of infrared, deep red, red, and amber light for collagen boosting, fading hyperpigmentation, and making pores less visible. Additionally, you can use both light wavelengths simultaneously to treat multiple skin concerns. Since three-minute treatments per area seem to be the sweet spot, this one has a built-in timer like other devices on this list. The cordless device takes approximately two to four hours to fully charge.
Number of settings: 3
Number of bulbs: 18
A Nordstrom reviewer says: "I have been using this wand consistently every night for the past 45 days. I have used the 1st setting (red light) on my thyroid surgery scar and the 2nd setting (blue light) on a severe rosacea breakout on my cheek, and this device WORKS. My scar has minimized in redness and looks, and my cheek breakout is gone. I 100% recommend this product and encourage you to try it!!!"
Pros
- Two devices in one
- Easy to grip
Cons
- The touch to start feature takes getting used to.
This compact multitasker features a pulsing, silicone cleansing brush on one side to deep clean grime, dirt, and excess oil from the day, thanks to 7,000 vibrations per minute. On the other side are 19 red LED lights to tone, smooth, and plump skin. You’ll know it’s on and working once it vibrates upon contact with the skin.
Number of settings: two cleansing modes, one red-light
Number of bulbs: 19
An Amazon reviewer says: "This device comes with clear instructions and is easy to use. I like that is dual purpose. The silicone side helps deeply cleanse my skin. The red light side provides a good amount of coverage to treat a larger area than some of the other devices I have tried. This one is my favorite because the handle is comfortable, and it has a self-timer that lets me know when I have treated the area for the appropriate amount of time. It also looks really pretty! It comes with eye protection and a storage case. I like the overall look and feel of the product and would definitely recommend it."
LADUORA Velve Pro 5-in-1 Skincare Wand Complete Kit
Pros
- Pre-programmed 5-minute timer
- Multiple device functions in one
Cons
- Some customers say it breaks easily
With a sleek profile similar to Solawave, Laduora takes things up a notch with its five-in-one wand. Packed into the slim design are red light, blue light, microcurrent, therapeutic warmth, and a facial massager. Apply the conductive serum to clean skin and then use the power button to switch between the red and blue light functions. The microcurrent, warmth, and vibration automatically turn on in either light mode. Use the device for breakouts, to treat under-eye dark circles, or to smooth out fine lines and tone skin.
Number of settings: 2
Number of bulbs: 12
A Laduora reviewer says: "Been using for about 3 weeks, I see my pores tightening, fine lines fading, and just overall more even skin tone."
Pros
- No conductive gel needed
- Helps with product absorption
Cons
- Boost settings take getting used to
Medicube is another multitasking wand, but this one utilizes different light shades to address the signs of aging in various ways. The orange electroporation helps products absorb better. A light blue electric needle creates micro-holes in the skin to refine pores and improve overall elasticity. Switch to green mode for a microcurrent function that stimulates collagen production and doesn’t require a conductive gel. Lastly, use the red light mid-frequency to treat elasticity concerns. Not to mention its sonic vibration massages as it treats. “It’s one of the most effective at-home devices I’ve seen for boosting glow and firmness,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna Karp.
Number of settings: 4 modes, 5 power levels
One Amazon reviewer says: "I bought this on Prime Day on a whim. I’ve used it every day for a month, and wow, am I impressed. I had zero expectations, but it’s really changed my skin! For the first week, I followed the routine in the app along with all of the tutorials. After getting the hang of it, I now use booster daily with the other treatments on rotation. The app allows you to take before and after pics after each treatment, which is why I'm so impressed. My skin is brighter, more even, and so smooth! I have pretty oily skin with large pores, so any improvement is always a miracle.
How do you use red light therapy wands?
Start with cleansed skin, and apply a conductive serum to help the device glide, if required by the specific device type. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended usage instructions to treat the affected skin areas. “Apply a hydrating serum (optional), and moisturizer followed by sunscreen in the morning,” says Adisa.
What are the benefits of using a red light therapy wand vs. a red light LED mask?
Rambhia explains that wands offer precision targeting for specific concerns, such as acne spots, fine lines, or localized inflammation, while masks provide full-face coverage. “Wands are more versatile for treating areas beyond the face, such as the neck, chest, or hands, and allow for customizable treatment intensity based on skin sensitivity,” she says.
Are red light therapy wands safe for all skin types?
According to Rambhia, red light therapy wands are generally considered safe for all skin types, as the wavelengths employed are non-ablative and do not disrupt the skin surface. “These devices stimulate cellular activity and collagen synthesis without causing thermal injury or pigmentary alteration in most individuals, and red light typically does not exacerbate melasma in the majority of patients,” says Rambhia. However, Adisa notes that “people with skin prone to light and heat-induced discoloration, such as melasma, and autoimmune skin diseases may develop worsening of these conditions.”
If you suffer from any photosensitive disorder, are taking photosensitizing medications, or have active cutaneous infections, Rambhia advises consulting a board-certified dermatologist before starting any LED treatments.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Pooja Rambhia is a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in NYC.
- Morayo Adisa MD FAAD, is a double board-certified dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and medical director at Dermatology Physicians Chicago/ Kenilworth.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com contributor Nykia Spradley consulted skincare experts to learn about the benefits of using red light therapy wands, tested some herself, and combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on features and customer evaluations.
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