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.
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| Evidence for Improvements | Acne, P. acnes Bacteria, Redness, Pimples, Lesions, Inflammation |
| Best Colors | Blue, Red, and Optionally Infrared |
| Face | Face Mask, Face Dome, Handheld Torch, Handheld Wand, Handheld Panel |
| Articles | Acne Articles, Face Mask Article |
| Studies | Acne Studies |
Acne
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| Evidence for Improvements | Aging Wrinkles, Fine Lines, Sagging, Rejuvenation, Pigmentation, Collagen, Elastin |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Face | Face Mask, Face Dome, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch, Handheld Panel |
| Neck | Face Mask with Neck Attachment, Pad, Wrap, Handheld Panel, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Articles | Aging Articles, Face Mask Article |
| Studies | Aging Studies |
Aging
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| Evidence for Improvements | Nasal Patency, Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Polyposis |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Nostril | Intranasal Light |
| Articles | Allergy Articles |
| Studies | Allergy Studies |
Allergies
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| Evidence for Improvements | Pain, Flexion, Pressure Sensitivity, Circumference, Degeneration, Fatigue, Pain Relief |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Knee | Knee Massager, Knee Wrap, Pad |
| Elbow | Elbow Wrap, Pad |
| Back | Wrap, Pad |
| Hip | Wrap, Pad |
| Wrist | Wrap, Pad |
| Articles | Arthritis Articles, Inflammation Articles, Pain Articles |
| Studies | Arthritis Studies, Inflammation Studies, Pain Studies |
Arthritis, Joint Inflammation, Pain
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| Evidence for Improvements | Canker Lesions |
| Best Canker Color | Green |
| Mouth | Handheld Torch |
| Articles | See Wounds, Diabetic |
| Studies | Canker Sore Study |
Canker Sores
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| Evidence for Improvements | Cellulite Reduction |
| Best Colors | Green |
| Abdomen | Pad, Wrap, Belt, Handheld Panel, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Hip | |
| Leg | |
| Waist | |
| Glute | |
| Articles | |
| Studies | Fat and Cellulite Studies |
Cellulite
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| Evidence for Improvements | Addiction, Alcoholism, Anxiety, Autism Irritability, Cognition, Dementia, Depression, PTSD, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Parkinson’s |
| Best Brain Colors | 810 nm Infrared, 633 nm Red |
| Scalp | Helmet, Transcranial |
| Forehead | Transcranial, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Nostril | Intranasal Probe |
| Skull Base | Transcranial, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Articles | |
| Studies | Cognition Studies |
Cognition (Brain)
Fat Melt |
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 Evidence for Improvements |
Fat Release, Hip Circumference, Abdomen Circumference, Arm Circumference, Blood Cholesterol |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Abdomen | Pad, Wrap, Belt, Handheld Panel, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Hip | |
| Leg | |
| Waist | |
| Glute | |
| Articles | |
| Studies | Fat Studies |
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| Evidence for Improvements | Shingles, Post Herpetic Neuralgia, Herpes |
| Best Herpes Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Mouth | Handheld Torch |
| Articles | |
| Studies | Herpes Studies |
Herpes
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| Evidence for Improvements | Shoulder Pain |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Foot | Shoulder Wrap, Pad, Handheld Panel, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Articles | |
| Studies | Frozen Shoulder Studies |
Shoulder, Frozen
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| Evidence for Improvements | Tendonitis, Carpal, Soreness, Strength |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Ankle | (Ankle, Arm, Wrist, Elbow) Wrap, Pad, Handheld Panel, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Arm | |
| Wrist | |
| Articles | |
| Studies | Tendonitis Studies |
Tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel
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| Evidence for Improvements | Jaw Pain |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Jaw | Handheld Torch, Handheld Wand, Handheld Panel |
| Articles | |
| Studies | TMJ Studies |
TMJ
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| Evidence for Improvements | Healing Speed |
| Best Colors | Red, Infrared |
| Foot | Foot Wrap, Pad, Handheld Panel, Handheld Wand, Handheld Torch |
| Articles | Wound Articles |
| Studies | Wound Studies |
Wound, Diabetic
