The Daily Valet. - 9/21/24, Saturday
Cory Ohlendorf
September 21, 2024
Weekend of September 21st |
 | By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. EditorI take my skincare pretty seriously, so this was a fun one to report and research. |
Weekend Reading
Do Those Red Light Products Really Work?
Short answer: Yes. And here are the ones you should try immediately.
It also seems too good to be true. Can shining some tiny lights onto your face make you more handsome? Well, if the goal is smooth, blemish-free skin with a healthy glow, then the answer is an unequivocal “yes”. What's more, you don't have to go to a spa and facialist to get these professional-grade benefits. You can achieve them at home with the same products the pros use.
Just ask celebrity groomer Simone, who used the Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand on actor Jonathan Bailey as she prepped his skin for this year's Emmys. And I must admit, the guy looked good. “The wand is the perfect low-maintenance prep for a red carpet or formal event,” she says. “It helps reduce puffiness and produces hydrated, well-rested skin—which is my number one grooming goal—and that's why I love red light therapy.”
You've no doubt heard about red light therapy on TikTok or maybe another age-defying celebrity like Diplo, but this isn't just wishful thinking or even complicated biohacking. Red light therapy has been a well-documented and researched practice since the mid-1990s, when NASA utilized red LEDS (light emitting diodes) to help grow potatoes in space. Greg Hammer, MD, physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, says that the red light was also discovered to help to heal the wounds on the hands of the astronauts who were tending to the plants—which was significant since wound healing is usually slowed and impaired in space. Since then, red light therapy has filtered into specialties across the medical spectrum, from sports recovery to dermatology, validated by a growing body of research. The easiest way to understand LED's wide-ranging benefits is that the light targets the body at the cellular level. Those cells are responsible for everything from producing collagen to repairing tissues.
The lights were then brought into dermatologist offices and facialist studios, but the technology has now been democratized into at-home products. Depending on the type of light and wavelength you use on your face, you produce noticeable results: Everything from less breakouts, fewer wrinkles and dark spots, to smoother texture and a brighter complexion. As for which device is best for your needs, we put several to the test and these are our team's recommendations.
The Best Red Light Mask & Tools for Men
The Editor’s Pick I've personally used this mask for over a year and have seen noticeable improvements in my skin clarity and the texture of the fine lines that showed up as I approach “middle age”. The size fits a male face nicely and utilizes both blue lights (for blemishes) and red lights (for wrinkles and other age-related concerns), which can be used independently or together. The rechargeable battery lasts a long time so you only recharge every other month. FDA Cleared: Yes DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, $455 by Dr. Dennis Gross |  |
The Easy Handheld Device This shrinks down the red light therapy of a mask into a small handheld device that utilizes microcurrents, vibrations and gentle heat to help repair and condition skin for a healthy, youthful glow. It's easy to travel with, which is why Simone always has a few in her kit. She says you should “swipe the wand in upward motions on specific areas of the face” until you see the desired results. “And the warmth helps reduce the appearance of dark circles.” FDA Cleared: Yes 4-in-1 facial wand set, |  |
For Your Scalp and Hair This LED-equipped brush is engineered to stop hair loss, while strengthening and rejuvenating your scalp. The massaging bristles work to relieve dryness, itching, and flakiness while boosting blood circulation. The 850nm red light therapy targets hair loss and thin areas, stimulating follicles for longer, thicker hair. If you're using a topical treatment for thinning hair, this can help with absorption. FDA Cleared: Yes S3 Scalp massaging brush, |  |
The Affordable Option For a starter mask, this newcomer has some impressive bonafides. Red and near-infrared light therapy (660nm and 850nm) work together to stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation and rejuvenate skin. The mask itself is lightweight and flexible, attaching behind your ears for a comfortable, secure fit. FDA Cleared: No Red Light therapy mask, $149 by Hooga |  |
Targeted Treatment For those looking for more targeted treatments for problem areas, this tool from Therabody (which also has a full face mask) allows you to treat stubborn wrinkles and dark spots around your eyes, forehead and mouth with red and infrared LEDs, and acne-prone areas with blue LEDs. You can also switch out the tips to reduce tension and boost circulation with a vibrating, percussive massage mode. FDA Cleared: Yes TheraFace PRO, $199 by Therabody |  |
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