During my eight weeks, I noticed patches of perioral dermatitis clear up much quicker than they usually would, and my skin looked plumper and more glowy. Most interesting, though, was going to an aesthetician who scanned the layers of my skin beneath the epidermis before and after the program and found I had considerably less inflammation and pigmentation after eight weeks, plus improved fine lines to boot. —Verity Burns
Best Treatment Modes
Courtesy of Dermstore
Courtesy of Déesse Pro
Déesse Pro
LED Phototherapy Mask
The Déesse Pro is a hard-shell LED mask with six treatment modes (Anti-Aging, Purifying, Brightening, Post Procedure, Calming, and Anti-Aging Express) and four light wavelengths designed to target a range of skin concerns. Green light therapy is less clinically proven, but it’s intended to help with pigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. You can customize sessions by adding red light manually and customizing the length.
Still, the mask is a commitment. I focused mostly on blue and green light over six weeks. The lights are intensely bright, even with the included tanning-bed-style goggles. I had to keep my eyes shut. It requires a power outlet, and the cord is short, so don’t expect to walk around. It’s not particularly comfortable, either. At $1,700, it’s one of the priciest options out there, and it doesn’t even come with a display stand or storage case. You’re paying for pro-grade power, customization, and the green light mode, so probably not for the casual user. Stay tuned for a full review.
Best for Vibration Therapy
Courtesy of Therabody
Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
The TheraFace Mask has become my favorite excuse to sit still for 10 minutes (fine, nine minutes). Most LED masks stop at light therapy, but this one ups the ante with built-in vibrations that massage pressure points around your brows, temples, and scalp. It’s so soothing that I almost don’t care whether it’s transforming my skin (though I’d like to believe it is).
You can opt for a three-minute targeted treatment or a nine-minute session that cycles through all three wavelengths. Therabody claims 93 percent of users saw visible improvements after eight weeks. After 12 weeks of daily-ish use (give or take 10 days due to travel), my skin tone does look slightly brighter. The blue light didn’t do much for my hormonal breakouts, since it only treats existing blemishes, not prevents them. But more than anything, this gadget has encouraged me to be more consistent with my skin-care routine.
It’s lightweight and cordless, and it has removable eye goggles (a feature that should be mandatory). There’s no mouth hole, so snackers and yappers, be warned—or project your voice. At $599, it’s a splurge, but if you want an LED mask that doubles as a massager, this is the one.
Best for Red-Light Spot Treatment
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Solawave
4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand
The Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand is popular on TikTok. It has a single 630-nm red-light wavelength, and former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano found it quite relaxing to use. With vibration and warmth therapy thrown in with the light, it feels like a full spa experience. Two other WIRED testers have had positive results with skin tightening. One mentioned that the skin around her eye area looked firmer in just a few weeks of use. It also has a longer return window than some of our other picks, so you can always try this and have time to see if it works.
