We Tested the New Solawave Red Light Devices to See if They’re as Good as the Original Wand

What We Tested…

• Wrinkle Retreat Light Therapy Face Mask ($349)

• Eye Recovery Pro ($199)

• 2-in-1 Skincare Mini ($89)

Why Martha Tested…

Test Results…

• Wrinkle Retreat Light Therapy Face Mask. What sets this red light mask apart from others is the combination of red and near-infrared lights. The former targets fine lines and stimulates collagen production, while the latter improves brightness and radiance. The most noticeable difference was my skin’s texture. When I used this at night, I would wake up the next morning with what I can only describe as baby cheeks. My skin was plump, smooth, and had a brightness I hadn’t seen in years. I wouldn’t say my fine lines had disappeared, but my skin looked overall healthier. I even found myself not wanting to apply makeup the morning after using it. I love that it’s safe to use every day, but I found that three times per week was the sweet spot to achieve bouncy, glowy skin without any redness (which did happen when I started to overuse it). I also like that the treatment length is 10 minutes, which is just enough time for me to relax, but not too much time that I start to get antsy. I prefer this method to the Solawave wand, where I’m manually targeting certain areas of my face. ($349)

• Eye Recovery Pro. The newest in their skincare device collection, this eye mask uses four different light therapies to target puffiness and dark circles and stimulate collagen. I certainly deal with darkness under my eyes depending on the amount of sleep I’ve had, so I was interested to see if this could brighten it up. My results were slower to appear with this than with the full red light mask, but after three uses and not a lot of sleep — I fell victim to making too many plans in a weekend — I started to notice a difference. My under-eyes also have a crepey texture that frustrates me, but after a few uses, the delicate skin was much smoother. I love that this treatment is only three minutes long, which isn’t daunting when you’re trying to fit it into your already-long skincare routine. ($199)

Why Margo Tested…

Test Results…

• 2-in-1 Skincare Mini. This is a great tool for red light therapy beginners like me, because it just has one button to turn it on, one setting, and that's it. It's naturally warming, which is relaxing and soothing after a long day. I love how the handle easily sits between your middle and index fingers and collapses inward when not in use (like a PopSocket), which makes it easy to use and store. I definitely noticed results over long-term use, and even after one use. My skin always looks super bright, smooth, plump, and glowy after I use it. That said, my face doesn’t look sculpted, like it does when I use the original wand, since there’s no vibration. But I love that you can use this on your body, too. ($89)

Sidenotes…

• When using the Wrinkle Retreat Light Therapy Face Mask and Eye Recovery Pro, I (Martha) ended up with marks on my face, no matter how much I adjusted the strap. So don’t use this right before you’re out the door for an important event. 

• We love that these devices charge with USB-C cables, which makes them easy to plug into a charger you already have, or your laptop. Plus, each comes with a storage bag that’s great for traveling. 

• If you’ve never tried red light therapy, we recommend starting slow. These devices do generate some heat and can cause redness if you’re overusing them or your skin isn’t used to it.

The Fine Details…

• Wrinkle Retreat Light Therapy Face Mask ($349, Solawave) ($349, Nordstrom) ($349, Amazon)

• Eye Recovery Pro ($199, Solawave) ($189, Nordstrom) ($199, Amazon)

• 2-in-1 Skincare Mini ($89, Solawave) ($89, Nordstrom) ($89, Amazon)