According to Audrey Matney, medical esthetician and founder of 123 Beauty Lab in New York, NY, red light works by penetrating deep into your dermis to activate your mitochondria (the powerhouses of your cells, as you may recall from Biology 101. "This gives them a serious productivity boost, helping them churn out more ATP, or cellular fuel," she explains. With more fuel, your cells work harder and more efficiently, resulting in better, healthier skin.
There's no shortage of these light-powered devices on the market, including LED face masks and panels, but we've found that one of the most convenient way to integrate this tech into our routines is through handheld tools. Portable and power-packed, red light therapy wands make it easy to target localized concerns, like glabellar lines (a.k.a. forehead wrinkles) or a particularly stubborn blemish. Here, we share the best red light therapy wands to rejuvenate skin -- plus, expert insight on incorporating them into your daily routines.
While we completely understand any skepticism around these tools (they're just delivering a gentle wash of light, after all), red light's efficacy is backed by legitimate data. A 2019 article in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology shared that low-level red light therapy promotes the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid within the skin; a 2017 article in AIMS Biophysics shares that it can also reduce inflammation and promote healing. Just maintain reasonable expectations, says Sobel. "A red light wand you can buy on the internet will not be as powerful as the light you can be treated with in a dermatologist office," he explains. That's not to say they don't offer any benefit -- they'll just deliver results a little more slowly.
In most cases, you'll want to use a red light therapy wand on clean, dry skin, Matney says, but some devices are designed to be paired with product. In those cases, she recommends sticking to gentle, hydrating formulas, like a hyaluronic acid serum. "Skip anything with alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, or retinoids," Matney warns -- this combination could inadvertently sensitize the skin.
Don't expect instantaneous results from LED therapy, says Matney. "It will probably take several months to see a difference," agrees Sobel, noting that you'll have to be consistent in using your red light therapy wand several times a week to get real benefit. Consider taking photos of yourself before integrating red light into your regimen -- that can make it easier to observe more subtle changes. Remember, "it doesn't target one flaw, it enhances everything, yielding results like improved tone, texture, and elasticity over time," Matney says. These cumulative benefits take a while, but they're worth the effort.
Most devices on the market, including the ones we've picked, are designed to be used multiple times a week -- some even suggest every day. However, our experts recommend starting with two to three times a week to see how your skin tolerates it. "More isn't better -- overdoing it could leave you irritated instead of glowing," says Matney, adding that you should treat your skin for no more than 20 minutes each time. Sobel also advises that you shield your eyes to avoid sensitizing them. That said, red light therapy wands, especially those made for at-home use, are generally regarded as safe, gentle, and very low risk. Don't be surprised if you find yourself hooked on daily treatment -- red light is a great add-on to any hardworking skin-care routine.