Red Light Therapy Is Everywhere
If it feels like everyone suddenly has a glowing red mask on their face, you're not imagining it. 😂
Red light therapy has made its way from professional treatment rooms into our bathrooms, bedrooms, and nighttime skincare routines.
And as an esthetician, I love seeing people become interested in skincare technology.
But I also think we need to talk about something:
Not every red light device is created equal.
And before you spend hundreds of dollars on something because your favorite person on Instagram is wearing it while making coffee, I want you to understand what you're actually buying.
What Is Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of visible red light delivered to the skin.
You'll often hear the term LED therapy, which stands for light-emitting diode therapy.
Different devices can use different wavelengths, intensities, treatment times, and methods of delivering that light.
That's why simply seeing the words “red light therapy” on a box doesn't tell me enough.
I want to know what's actually inside.
Why Are We Talking About Wavelengths?
This is one of the first things I look at when evaluating a device.
Wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm).
In skincare, you'll often see red-light devices using wavelengths somewhere in the 600nm range, while near-infrared devices use longer wavelengths.
For example, the VISO mask I've been researching uses 660nm red light.
You don't need to become a scientist to buy an LED mask. 😂
But I do think you should know the wavelength your device is actually delivering.
If a company is selling light technology and makes it difficult to figure out what wavelength it uses?
That gets my attention, and not in a good way.
What Can Red Light Do for the Appearance of Skin?
This is where red light has become especially interesting in aesthetics.
Red light therapy has been studied for its potential effects on the appearance of skin, including areas such as fine lines, texture, and overall skin quality.
But I want to be careful with the way we talk about it.
Red light isn't a facelift.
It's not Botox.
And one session isn't going to make you wake up looking 20 years younger.
I look at LED the same way I look at most good skincare:
Consistency matters.
It's another tool that can complement a thoughtfully designed skincare routine.
At-Home LED vs. Professional LED
This is a question I get excited about because I've spent so much of my career in professional skincare.
Professional LED systems are designed for treatment-room environments and may differ significantly in size, output, coverage, treatment protocols, and price.
At-home devices are designed around something completely different:
convenience and consistency.
And I don't think one necessarily has to replace the other.
An at-home LED device can become part of your regular skincare ritual, while professional treatments serve a different purpose within an esthetic or wellness setting.
The important thing is choosing the right device for what you're actually trying to accomplish.
What I Look for in an At-Home LED Mask
This is where I put on my esthetician hat.
If I'm considering an LED device, I want to know:
1. What wavelength does it use?
Don't just tell me “red light.” Give me the number.
2. How is the light distributed?
I want good coverage across the treatment area rather than obvious gaps.
3. How long is each session?
Because let's be realistic.
If something requires 45 minutes every night, I'm much less likely to use it consistently than something that takes five or ten.
4. Is it comfortable?
The best technology in the world isn't helping you if you hate wearing it.
5. Who made it?
I want transparency about the company, device specifications, instructions, safety information, and support.
6. What does “FDA cleared” actually mean?
If a company makes a regulatory claim, I want to know exactly what was cleared and for what intended use. “FDA registered,” “FDA approved,” and “FDA cleared” are not interchangeable marketing phrases.
That's something I think consumers deserve to understand.
And Then There's the Number of LEDs
More isn't automatically better.
This is another place where marketing can get a little sneaky.
A company might advertise a giant LED number, but I still want to understand the wavelength, coverage, output, positioning, and treatment protocol.
Think of it like skincare ingredients.
A long ingredient list doesn't automatically make a product better.
The entire formulation matters.
The same idea applies to beauty technology.
The Five-Minute Factor
This matters to me more than you might think.
I have a business. I have a family. I have clients. I have approximately 4,000 things happening at any given moment. 😂
So when I see an at-home device designed around a five-minute session, I pay attention.
Not because five minutes automatically makes a device better.
Because it makes it realistic.
I believe the wellness rituals we actually stick with are usually the ones that fit into our lives rather than requiring our lives to revolve around them.
Where Does LED Fit Into Your Skincare Routine?
This is where I want to keep things simple.
Your LED device should complement your skincare routine, not replace it.
You still need the basics:
Cleanse.
Treat appropriately.
Moisturize.
Protect your skin from the sun.
Then beauty technology can become another layer when it makes sense for your skin and your goals.
And always follow the particular device manufacturer's instructions about when and how to use it.
So...Is Red Light Therapy Worth It?
For the right person, with the right device?
I think it can absolutely be worth exploring.
But I don't think everyone needs to run out and buy the first glowing mask they see online.
Learn about the technology.
Look at the specifications.
Think about how often you'll realistically use it.
Choose a reputable device.
And make sure you're buying something because it has earned a place in your routine, not because it earned a place in your social media feed.
That's exactly how I'm approaching the beauty technology I choose for Sienna Wellness Co.
I don't want the most products.
I want the right ones.
Take care of yourself. You deserve it. 🤍
With love,
Sienna