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The Shortcut Guide to Choosing a Light Therapy Device

Bestqool light therapy panel

What LED therapy color treats wrinkles?  Is a face mask or a body panel better for light therapy? If these questions feel familiar, then this is your guide.

This is a shortcut guide to finding the right light colors and the right device type for your light therapy needs. Find the condition you want to treat with light therapy. Look at the “Best Colors” for that condition. Then view the type of light that works best for that condition. 

For each condition, the first item in the device type list is, in my opinion, the best device for that body part and condition. I only list devices I think make sense for the situation. That doesn’t mean other devices won’t work. It means these fit the situation best.

For example, I believe that a face mask is the best device for wrinkles. The light from a mask reaches all parts of the face at one time. This saves time over doing spot treatment with a handheld device. I like that a face mask is hands free. None of this means you can’t use a full body panel for wrinkles, for example, only that the face mask distributes the light quickly and evenly, where a panel does not.

Want the More Comprehensive Guide?

For a complete guide to the pros and cons of different light therapy device types, go to my articles:

Answers You Need to Be a Confident Red Light Therapy Buyer  and The Complete Guide to Choosing a Light Therapy Device

The Best Devices for Treating Tested Light Therapy Conditions

For example, look at the Acne table. The best colors to treat acne are blue, red, and optionally infrared. For treatment of the face, the best light therapy device is a face mask or face dome, because they are hands free, reach the most skin, and touch the skin so as not to lose photons to reflection or distance. Handheld devices are also good, but they are not hands free. You might be fine with the acne device not being hands free, in which case a torch, panel or wand might be right for you.

Table: Acne Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for acne

  1. Blue
  2. red
  3. infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with acne showed these improvements

  1. reduced pimples
  2. reduced lesions
  3. reduced inflammation
  4. reduced redness
  5. destruction of P. acnes bacteria

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well on the Face

  1. Face Mask
  2. Face Dome
  3. Handheld Torch
  4. Handheld Wand
  5. Handheld Panel

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for acne (opens in new window)

  1. The Complete Guide to Buying a Wrinkle or Acne LED Face Mask
  2. Does Light Therapy Really Work for Acne?
  3. Four Extremely Successful Acne LED Light Therapy Treatments

Studies

Light therapy acne study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Aging Skin Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for aging skin

  1. Red
  2. Infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with aging skin showed these improvements

  1. Reduced Wrinkles
  2. Reduced Fine Lines
  3. Reduced Sagging
  4. Reduced Rejuvenation
  5. Reduced Pigmentation
  6. Reduced Collagen
  7. Reduced Elastin

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well on the Face

  1. Face Mask with neck Attachment
  2. Face Dome
  3. Handheld Torch
  4. Handheld Wand
  5. Handheld Panel

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for aging skin (opens in new window)

  1. The Complete Guide to Buying a Wrinkle or Acne LED Face Mask
  2. Read This Before Using Red Light Therapy for Photodamage

Studies

Light therapy aging skin study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Arthritis Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for arthritis

  1. Red
  2. Infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with arthritis  showed these improvements

  1. Increased Flexion
  2. Reduced Pressure Sensitivity
  3. Reduced Circumference
  4. Reduced Degeneration
  5. Reduced Fatigue
  6. Increased Pain Relief

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well

  1. Knee
    1. Knee Massager
    2. Knee Wrap
    3. Pad
  2. Back
    1. Back Wrap
    2. Pad
  3. Elbow
    1. Elbow Wrap
    2. Pad
  4. Hip
    1. Generic Wrap
    2. Pad
  5. Hip
    1. Wrist Wrap
    2. Pad

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for arthritis (opens in new window)

  1. What Can You Do for Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
  2. Four Arthritis Knee Pain Alternatives to Cortizone Shots

Studies

Light therapy arthritis study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Allergy Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for allergies

  1. Red
  2. Infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with allergies showed these improvements

  1. Reduced Nasal Congestion
  2. Reduced Runny Nose
  3. Reduced Itchy Nose
  4. Reduced Sneezing
  5. Reduced Clear Rhinorrhea
  6. Reduced Nasal Congestion
  7. Reduced Pale Discoloration Of Nasal Mucosa
  8. Reduced Red, Watery Eyes

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well on the Nose

  1. Face Mask
  2. Intranasal Light
  3. Handheld Torch

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for allergies (opens in new window)

Studies

Light therapy allergies study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Fat and Cellulite Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for fat and cellulite

  1. Green
  2. Red
  3. Infrared
  4. Blue
  5. Amber

Improvements

Studies on people with fat and cellulite showed these improvements

  1. Reduced Lipids in Fat Cells
  2. Release Fat from Fat Cells
  3. Reduced Cellulite
  4. Reduced Hip Circumference
  5. Reduced Waist Circumference
  6. Reduced Abdomen Circumerfence
  7. Reduced Arm Circumference
  8. Spot Fat Reduction

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well

  1. Pad
  2. Wrap
  3. Belt
  4. Handheld Panel
  5. Handheld Wand
  6. Handheld Torch

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for fat and cellulite (opens in new window)

  1. How to Control Your Appetite with Red Light
  2. How Much Red Light Energy Does it Take to Flush Fat?

Studies

Light therapy fat and cellulite study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Canker Sore Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for canker sores

  1. Green

Improvements

Studies on people with canker sores showed these improvements

  1. Increased Flexion
  2. Reduced Pressure Sensitivity
  3. Reduced Circumference
  4. Reduced Degeneration
  5. Reduced Fatigue
  6. Increased Pain Relief

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well for the Lip

  1. Handheld Torch
  2. Handheld Wand

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for canker sores (opens in new window)

Studies

Light therapy arthritis study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Brain (Cognition) Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for cognition (brain) therapy

  1. Red
  2. Infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with cognition issues showed these improvements

  1. Reduced Addiction Symptoms
  2. Reduced Alcoholism Symptoms
  3. Reduced Anxiety Symptoms
  4. Reduced Autism Irritability Symptoms
  5. Reduced Cognition Symptoms
  6. Reduced Dementia Symptoms
  7. Reduced Depression Symptoms
  8. Reduced PTSD Symptoms
  9. Reduced Stroke Symptoms
  10. Reduced Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
  11. Reduced Parkinson's Symptoms

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well to Reach the Brain

  1. Nasal
  2. Transcranial

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for cognition issues (opens in new window)

Studies

Light therapy cognition and brain study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Herpes and Shingles Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for herpes and shingles

  1. Red
  2. Infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with herpes or shingles showed these improvements

  1. Reduced Pain
  2. Delayed Outbreaks
  3. Reduced Lesion Size

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well

  1. Handheld Torch
  2. Handheld Panel
  3. Handheld Wand

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for herpes and shingles (opens in new window)

Studies

Light therapy herpes and shingles study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Frozen Shoulder Therapy Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for herpes and shingles

  1. Red
  2. Infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with herpes or shingles showed these improvements

  1. Reduced Pain
  2. Increased Range of Motion

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well

  1. Shoulder Wrap
  2. Pad
  3. Handheld Panel
  4. Handheld Wand
  5. Handheld Torch

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for herpes and shingles (opens in new window)

Studies

Light therapy herpes and shingles study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

Table: Carpal Tunnel and Tendonitis Fast Facts

Colors

The science supports using these colors for carpal tunnel and tendonitis

  1. Red
  2. Infrared

Improvements

Studies on people with carpal tunnel and tendonitis showed these improvements

  1. Reduced Soreness
  2. Reduced Pain
  3. Increased Range of Motion
  4. Increased Strength

Devices

Types of Light Therapy Devices that Work Well

  1. Ankle Wrap
  2. Arm Wrap
  3. Wrist Wrap
  4. Elbow Wrap
  5. Pad
  6. Handheld Panel
  7. Handheld Wand
  8. Handheld Torch

Articles

Articles I've written about using light for carpal tunnel and tendonitis (opens in new window)

Studies

Light therapy carpal tunnel and tendonitis study summaries with links National Institutes of Health original articles (opens in new window)

The Shortcut Guide to Choosing a Light Therapy Device