Best Face Light Therapy for 2023 (Hydraskincare vs Celluma)
I set out to find the best facial light therapy device I could, regardless of whether it was a “name brand.” Just the best, whether or not the company spent marketing dollars to convince me it was.
My therapy light criteria are here:
- it treats aging, acne, and redness
- it is solidly built
- it has superior features to the copycat competition
Hydraskincare Photons and PDT Professional
The Photons and PDT Professional come from Hydraskincare. These are the best therapy devices I found. If you want to cut straight to the winners, click below to see them on Amazon.
I didn’t set out to choose one company with two products. But that’s what I ended with after researching 23 facial lights.
Two products from the same company rose to the top of the list.
View the Winners on Amazon.com:
- Hydraskincare PDT: soft dome you can use on the body as well as the face; 15-30 minute treatment time per day; infrared, red, blue, yellow; excellent specifications for acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and aging.
- Hydraskincare Photons: PDT Professional construction; 5-minute treatment time per day; infrared, red, blue, yellow; excellent specifications for acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and aging.
How Infrared, Red, Blue, and Yellow Are the Perfect Facial Lights
Because infrared and red light reduces inflammation, they are powerful light wavelengths for aging, acne, and redness just by themselves.
When you add yellow light that reduces redness, and blue light that kills acne bacteria, you have the perfect facial light therapy colors.
How Fixed-Position Hydraskincare Devices are the Perfect Facial Device Types
You can go with several device types for facial red light therapy. Options include masks, panels, and fixed-position devices like the PDT and Photons I am showing you in this article.
While masks do work and have their place, the PDT flexible dome and the Photons fixed-position overhead lights have an advantage over mask therapy.
Hydraskincare lights are more powerful because they get their power from the wall outlet rather than a rechargeable battery.
Now understand that more power doesn’t mean they work better. Masks work as well as these devices.
It’s just that more power means that the Hydraskincare devices work faster than masks.
In fairness, the Photons is much faster than mask lights, and the PDT model with a 5-minute very fast treatment time.
You could swap out a mask for the PDT for the same treatment time per session, the treatment times are about the same. However, with the PDT, you get a flexible rubber panel you can use for panel relief anywhere on your body, and the yellow and blue lights that add to your facial therapy success.
Masks do have the advantage of allowing you to multitask while doing your therapy.
If you’re thinking about the PDT because it’s a lower price, but get antsy sitting quietly for 20 minutes, you might feel better using a mask instead. If this is you, you might want to read my article The Complete Guide to Buying a Wrinkle or Acne LED Face Mask (opens in a new browser window)
Best Light Therapy for Acne and Wrinkles
Treat wrinkles and acne both, as well as redness, inflammation, rosacea, eczema, and scars. The light colors used in these treatment devices closely match those used in successful studies on all of these skin conditions.
Why I Love the Hydraskincare Photons
Use this high-quality light pad to reduce symptoms of eczema, psoriasis, redness, and inflammation. These wavelengths are also appropriate for arthritis relief, pain relief, and scar reduction.
Wear goggles when doing blue light therapy
blue suppresses sleep and can hurt the eyes
But what I love about the Hydraskincare Photons is that it’s soft and pliable, meaning you can wrap it around your arm or leg, place it across your front or lie on it. It’s a whole-body therapy device.
Use red/infrared combined with yellow and blue for acne. Use red/infrared combined with yellow for wrinkles.
| In the list below, the links open to my site EMFChannel.com in new browser windows. Read the scientific summaries I wrote of these studies at those links. | |
|---|---|
| Study Parameters | Link to EMFChannel Summary |
| 640 nm red combined with 470 nm blue significantly reduced lesion count in moderate to severe acne. | Treating Acne with Alternating Red Light Therapy with Blue Light Therapy |
| 660 nm red combined with 415 nm blue significantly reduced lesions and inflammation in acne patients. | Acne Reduction with 415 nm Blue and 660 nm Light Therapy |
| 633 nm red combined with 415 nm blue significantly reduced lesions in acne patients. | Acne Treatment Using 415 nm and 633 nm LED Therapy |
| 633 nm combined with 830 nm reduced wrinkles by up to 36% and increased skin elasticity by up to 19%. | Decrease Wrinkles, Increase Collagen 830 nm and 633 nm Comparison |
| 630 nm combined with 850 nm infrared significantly reduced neck wrinkles and also showed no thyroid interference from the light therapy. | Thyroid Safety Using LED Therapy on Neck |
| 660 nm decreased wrinkles and increased collagen. | Increase Collagen Red Light Dose |
Yellow Light Studies
The Photons includes 583 nm yellow. Most studies I’ve found in this range use 590 nm, which is functionally equivalent to the Photons’ 583 nm yellow light.
This wavelength reduces acne lesions, encourages hair growth, breaks down fat, improves site, reduces swelling, and reduces surgery scarring.
| Summary | Study Parameters | Link to Study on EMFChannel.com |
|---|---|---|
| Macular Degeneration Sight Improvement | 590 nm yellow combined with 670 nm red and 790 nm infrared significantly improved visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and drusen volume in eyes with macular degeneration | Yellow, Red and Infrared Improves Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration |
| Surgery Scar Reduction | 590 nm yellow combined with 830 nm infrared significantly decreased surgery scars on subjects’ necks | Yellow and Infrared Low Level Light to Prevent Thyroidectomy Scar Formation |
| Hair Regrowth | 590 nm yellow combined with Minoxidil triggered sustainable hair growth in men with Androgenetic Alopecia (note that there’s no evidence this light stimulates facial hair growth, but it does trigger head hair growth) | Combining 590 nm Light with Minoxidil to Increase Hair Growth |
| Acne Lesion Reduction | 585 nm yellow (green/yellow) significantly reduced acne lesions | Acne Reduction Green Light Dose |
| Fat Breakdown | 590 nm yellow (green/yellow) significantly induced lipid droplet breakdown and promoted autophagy (the healthy “garbage collection” cell process (it broke down fat and cleaned up the remains!). | 590 nm Light Effect on Lipid Droplets and Hormone-Sensitive Lipase |
| Swelling Reduction | 590 nm yellow combined with 830 nm infrared significantly decreased facial fracture edema (water swelling) | Facial Fracture Edema Red Light Dose |
What Does a Facial Light Do?
A red light facial therapy device:
- rejuvenates aging skin
- increases collagen and elastin
- reduces wrinkles
A blue light facial therapy device:
- kills P acnes bacteria often present in acne breakouts
- reduces acne redness and papules
A blue and red light:
- is ideal for acne
- rejuvenates the skin
- reduces redness
The Dome and Pad are Excellent for Face Treatments
There are so many device types you can buy for facial treatments. The torch design looks like a flashlight. It’s smaller but similar in shape to a handheld device
A panel is a big box of lights. I chose the pad and the dome because they’re hands-free and reach all the target areas.
- The Photons is a flexible pad that appears to be modeled on the very high-end Celluma light therapy device.
- The PDT Professional is a dome of lights on an adjustable arm that appears to be modeled on the professional-only Omnilux therapy light.
WINNER #1: The Best Flexible Pad Facial Light
The Hydraskincare Photons is a consumer price-point copy of the expensive Celluma therapy pad. The Photons is a solid facial light. It treats aging, acne, and redness.
The unit has a solid wireframe stand to lift the lights away from your face. I found that when copycat devices didn’t have this stand, consumers felt the lights were too close.
The Photons has higher-quality components than the competitors. This is the facial therapy unit with:
- a proper wire frame stand
- a healthy width and depth
- quality construction
WINNER #2: Best Adjustable Arm Facial Light
The Hydraskincare PDT Professional facial therapy light is a perfect upgrade from a basic box light therapy device
If I were shopping for a Joovv or Mito Red Light therapy box, I would definitely get the Hydraskincare PDT Professional facial light instead.
The PDT Professional has all the features of a box light, but:
- it’s more convenient than a box light to change targets
- you don’t need to hang it on the ceiling or a doorknob
- you can easily move the light to a new target
- it includes yellow and blue healing light as well as red and infrared
The Hydraskincare PDT Professional sits on a heavy-duty base. The unit stays in place when you move the flexible arm to different treatment areas.
Can Consumers Buy “Professional” Facial Lights?
Light therapy vendors sometimes state “for professional use only” on their products. But it’s not as if they ask the buyer if she’s a professional or a regular consumer. Is it “professional use”? It’s one of these options:
- The vendor is selling a professional device to consumers
- The vendor is using “professional” as a marketing term
The Hydraskincare PDT Professional is a clinical device now sold to consumers. It’s a tough machine used in spas and doctor’s offices. The PDT Professional can run all day, every day.
I think that the seller wrote “for professional use” on their listing to remind buyers that this is a clinic-level machine.
The Hydraskincare Photons is a best-in-class consumer device.
Their PDT Professional and Photons prices are consistent with their status. The PDT Professional is a clinical device. Photons is a high-end consumer device.
Why Do Red Light Facial Devices Have Other Colors?
The science supports using these lights for health:
- infrared
- red
- green
- blue
Manufacturers offer purple, orange, and yellow colors, but there’s no justification for using these colors.
Use Red Light for Wrinkles, Collagen, and Slimming
The right kind of red light can reduce wrinkles, produce collagen, and smooth out blemishes. Red can also help fat release from fat cells. Of all the types of light tested, we have the most evidence that red light really works.
There is ample evidence that proper use of this type of red light is effective in firming skin, producing collagen, and reducing wrinkles. You have to use the right kind of red, and it has to give you the right amount of energy. No, I’m sorry, you cannot use a simple red bulb to get these effects.
Hundreds of studies show that the right kind of red light helps the skin:
- decrease wrinkles
- decrease roughness
- increase collagen
- increase firmness
You should know that there is some good evidence that red light releases fat from fat cells. Doctors performing liposuction use red light to soften fat before the procedure. When using red light at home, the fat melt effect can work, but you have to put in work as well.
Plastic surgeons performing liposuction have been testing red light on loosening up tummy fat. The good news is that they have had success getting the fat cells to let go of triglycerides and fatty acids. The cells shrink up and the contents empty into the lymph system.
The bad news is that the fat cells refill themselves unless you do a half-hour of aerobics and drink two large glasses of water.
If you are willing to do the work, there is every reason to believe that putting your facial device on “red” will help spot and reduce your fat.
Use Blue Light for Acne, Oil, and Scars
Blue light has an anti-bacterial effect on facial skin. Applying blue light in the 420 nm to 440 nm wavelength range can command the sebaceous gland to halt oil production. This combination of effects can dramatically reduce acne breakouts.
Multiple studies show that therapeutic blue light decreases acne symptoms, and even reduces acne scars. In fact, red light also helps reduce scars, so acne treatment should include a dose of blue light and then a dose of red light.
Use Infrared for TMJ, Inflammation, and Arthritis
The right kind of infrared light can speed wound healing and reduce inflammation. Hundreds of studies show infrared is healing energy when used in proper doses. Facial infrared treatments can soothe TMJ inflammation.
Combining red and infrared seems to work better than using just red or just infrared. You can use the facial therapy device on your body to help reduce arthritis inflammation.
Only the lower infrared wavelengths are visible. You won’t be able to see the infrared bulb when it’s on.
Why I Want to See “Fulfilled by Amazon”
If you have ever had difficulty figuring out how to get service on a warranty, then you want to know about “Fulfilled by Amazon.” The “Fulfilled by Amazon” program handles logistics and customer service for its members.
The members sell their products on Amazon’s pages. Amazon warehouses its inventory and ships it out to customers.
If the vendor uses “Fulfilled by Amazon,” you can contact Amazon for customer support. If they do not use Amazon, you have to contact the vendor.
There is a button on the top right side of every page for you to do that. The vendor is supposed to respond to you right away. When Amazon fulfills the order, you can get instant customer service.
When the vendor fulfills the order, you might need to wait for the vendor to be in the office, and for the English-speaking employee to get back to you.
The lamps I recommend for facial therapy all use the Fulfilled by Amazon service.
Use Your Facial Light on Your Body
You can use the Photons and PDT Professional devices on your body as well as your face. The Photons is a flexible rubber pad. Hold it to your body with your hand, or get a nylon strap to hold it for you. The PDT Professional is on an adjustable arm. Position it over any part of your body for hands-free treatment.
Blue Light Eye Warning
Blue light might be dangerous for:
- people with pre-existing eye conditions
- people taking photosensitive medication
Infrared Light Eye Warning
Over the long term, very bright infrared can cause cataracts. If the lamp is so bright you need to squint, then use eye protection when using your infrared light.
Do You Need Goggles?
Light therapy vendors often say to wear goggles with their devices. This is a tricky issue because the light can both heal and annoy your eyes. Some people find that the lights are bright enough to cause discomfort.
Yet, there is evidence that looking at the right wavelength of red light can reverse declining eyesight. That study used 670 nm red. These devices use 640 nm and 630 nm red.
Could those wavelengths help? The studies are not yet in.
The Hydraskincare PDT Professional comes with goggles. The Photons does not include goggles. They are very cheap. Consider getting a pair.
Not sure if you need goggles or dark glasses with your red light therapy? Find out whether you need goggles in my article: 1 Way to Know if You Should You Wear Goggles in Red Light Therapy (opens in a new window)
Hyperpigmentation Warning
Infrared is usually good for the skin, including hyperpigmentation symptoms. Sometimes, however, infrared induces pigmentation. Anyone concerned about pigmentation should insure the infrared can be shut off on their device. Infrared is a separate color on the Hydraskincare units and so is safe even if you have a hyperpigmentation response. Just turn off the infrared and use yellow, blue, and red light.
View the Winners on Amazon.com:
- Hydraskincare PDT: soft dome you can use on the body as well as the face; 15-30 minute treatment time per day; infrared, red, blue, yellow; excellent specifications for acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and aging.
- Hydraskincare Photons: PDT Professional construction; 5-minute treatment time per day; infrared, red, blue, yellow; excellent specifications for acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, and aging.
