Is Therabody’s New Red Light Mask Worth It?
As someone in their 30s interested in fading recent hormonal acne scars and slowing the onset of fine lines, I’ve always been curious about red light LED face masks for my skin care routine. The science behind red light therapy is actually pretty sound—there’s real evidence around inflammation, collagen production, and skin complexion and texture—but like most wellness categories, there’s a huge gap between what works in a clinical setting and what actually ends up in medicine cabinets. A lot of consumer products simply aren’t strong enough (or don’t use the proper light wavelengths) to replicate what those in-office devices can do. Dr. Karan Lal, DO, double-board certified dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology North Scottsdale, told me that with so many different varieties of lasers and LEDs in consumer masks, he doesn’t always recommend that people prioritize red light therapy at home.
And yet, I jumped at the chance to test out a newly released red light mask that at least claimed to do things differently. Therabody’s TheraFace Mask Glo stood out to me because it’s backed by the largest clinical trial data of any mask available to consumers (104 patients participated in the study.) It’s FDA-cleared, available to buy with HSA dollars, and built with more LED lights than most of its direct competitors, which actually does matter when you’re talking about how evenly and effectively light is distributed across the face. It also tweaks the usual design in a few smart ways, including extending coverage to the entire mouth, targeting a common spot for wrinkles that is usually left open on other masks. I tested the mask for a little over two months of near-daily use—Therabody’s minimum recommended timeline for any noticeable improvements. Here’s what I found.
Puffiness, Begone!
Despite what TikTok will have you believe, there’s nothing inherently relaxing about strapping a shell of hard plastic to your face. The first few times I wore the mask, it was uncomfortable, but that was entirely my fault—I’d tightened it too much, assuming it needed to be suctioned to my face to work. After those early sessions, I had faint forehead indents that stuck around for longer than I’d like. Once I loosened the straps, it became much easier to tolerate. The interior feels relatively soft (it’s a medical-grade silicone), and the design keeps most of the mask about an inch off your face—except around the eyes and forehead, which sit flush—so it doesn’t feel overly heavy or like it’s pulling your skin downward.
Once I got into the rhythm, I actually liked using it. I’d do the 12-minute session each evening, fresh out of the shower after the gym and before heading out—partly because I placebo’d myself into thinking my skin looked better immediately afterward. (There’s no evidence of short-term results.) It’s cordless, so I could walk around, fold laundry, or lie on the couch watching TV. Even with full mouth coverage, breathing was never an issue. (And I’m pretty claustrophobic, so if I was ok, you probably will be, too.) After the first month, I didn’t notice much of a difference. Unfortunately, I had multiple breakouts during this testing window—which is unusual for me—though I don’t blame the mask. It was likely hormonal or the result of testing too many skin care products at once. My red marks felt like they were taking forever to fade. But Therabody doesn’t promise results in four weeks, so I kept going.
Month two looked similar: a few small breakouts, slightly faster fading of marks, and a lot of squinting in the mirror trying to decide whether my forehead wrinkles looked any softer. I honestly couldn’t tell. That said, the clinical trial data does show that full-face fine lines didn’t improve much at eight weeks—but did show improvement at 12. The one clear change I did notice—and can’t fully attribute to the mask, but also can’t ignore—was reduced under-eye puffiness and facial swelling in the mornings. I used to wake up looking like I was having an allergic reaction, but lately, I’ve been waking up with just the mildest amount of puffiness. Hallelujah for that. Battery life is solid at about four or five days a charge. My only real annoyance is that the low-battery warning is just a small blinking light near the charging port, which is extremely easy to miss. More than once, I went to use it only to realize it was dead.
Different Settings for Different Skin Types
Compared to the brand’s OG face mask—which is nearly double the price—this one includes fewer LED lights (504 compared to 648) and has a run-time of 12 minutes, compared to 9 minutes of the more pricey mask. Still, that’s more than many competitors. Shark’s mask sits at 480 LEDs, while cheaper options dip below 100. Professional devices typically exceed 700. This mask offers three settings, and cycles through all of them if you just turn it on and follow the prescribed session:
