Achieve your wellness goals with red light therapy at home

Red light therapy at home has never been more accessible. With so many devices on the market, the latest wellness trend is no longer a luxury limited to a spa day treatment. Now, you can reap the benefits of this revolutionary therapy right in the comfort of your own home, thanks to a range of effective devices designed for personal use. This therapy, which uses low-energy red and near-infrared light waves, is a natural and non-invasive treatment that heals the body on a cellular level. It's an amazing wellness solution that can tackle inflammation through to pain relief and more. To help you on your way, we have rounded up the best devices that fit a range of budgets and needs.

So what are the multitude of benefits that red light therapy offers? Well, it's been shown to naturally reduce inflammation and pain in skin, muscles, and other tissues. Plus, it's particularly effective in improving skin health and appearance. Meaning you don't always need to rely on the best collagen supplementsfor boosting blood flow and stimulating collagen-producing cells, as red light therapy can firm up skin, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging, and generally improve your appearance.

Best red light therapy at home at a glance:

• Best overall: HELIOS 2 Series Red Light Therapy Device – view on Amazon UK
• Best budget red light therapy device: Bestqool Red Light Therapy Device – view on Amazon UK
• Best red light therapy heat lamp device: Beurer IL11 Infrared Heat Lamp  – view on Amazon UK

This is especially effective for women - due to when we age, our estrogen levels decrease, and, in turn, collagen levels naturally decline. Making red light therapy a natural treatment that can help you look and feel your best. In our guide, we focus primarily on red light therapy devices for the home - but be sure to check out our guide to the best anti ageing red light therapy masks.

In this list, we take a look at the best red light therapy devices for home use. So whether you're new to red light therapy or looking to upgrade your current device, this guide will help you on your way - so you can achieve your wellness goals right at home.

Best devices for red light therapy at home

Buyer's guide: Red light therapy at home

We spoke to Clinic Director and Dermatology and Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Emma Coleman, who works in collaboration with MAGNITONE, about the benefits of red light therapy and how to integrate it into our daily routines.

What does red light therapy do?

You may have heard the term 'red light therapy' thrown around by wellness influencers and spa treatments, but what does 'red light' really mean? We spoke to Emma to find out.

"Red LED light appears at a wavelength of 650-950nm and penetrates to dermal level. Of all of the LED Light Colours, red penetrates to the deepest level, affecting skin behaviour at a cellular level. Several studies have provided evidence that R-LED (Red LED light) promotes fibroblast activity, encouraging rejuvenation and healing."

Is red light therapy safe to use at home, and are there any potential side effects?

"At-home R-LED devices tend to have a wavelength at the lower end of the red spectrum, making them safe to use at home," says Emma. "The way that the bulbs are out together also makes them less powerful compared to in-clinic devices, so safety is not an issue; users may experience mild erythema (skin redness) after use."

What are the different types of red light therapy devices available for the home?

"Masks are the most common type of device available as they are portable and provide easy application. Many are designed to shut off after a set period of time for safety and optimal results. Portable, free-standing lamps are also available."

How long should you use red light therapy on your face?

Emma recommends a dosage of 10 minutes three times weekly for a period of eight weeks to really change the way the cells in the skin are behaving.

The frequency of use can vary depending on the specific device and your personal wellness goals. However, most people find that a session every other day is effective. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.

Can red light therapy be used for skincare or anti-ageing purposes, and if so, what are your recommendations for achieving optimal results?

R-LED is great to be used as part of an evening skincare routine. Apply for 10 minutes to bare face after cleansing and before applying serum and moisturisers. This ensures that the light is able to penetrate skin layers optimally. There is some clinical evidence that frequent application of R-LED significantly reduces facial rhytides (wrinkles), over a nine to twelve-week period, so I usually recommend 3-4 weekly applications of the LED for 10 minutes, aiming for a three-month course.

FAQs: Red light therapy at home

Is red light therapy safe for women over 50?

Absolutely! Red light therapy is safe for individuals of all ages. In fact, it can be particularly beneficial for women over 50, as it can help improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and alleviate age-related ailments such as joint pain and inflammation.

What should I look for in a home red light therapy device?

When choosing a red light therapy device for home use, several types are available. These range from handheld devices to larger panels, each offering different levels of intensity and coverage. The key is to choose a device that offers efficient and durable LED lights, clinically proven red light waves between 630-680nm, and near-infrared light waves between 800-880nm. The device should also have a low electromagnetic frequency (EMF) output to ensure safety too. Clinical research proves that red light therapy is useful in treating numerous conditions and diseases. There are hundreds of studies that explore and demonstrate the efficacy of red light therapy using a variety of wavelengths for a wide range of purposes. You can take a look at a few of the example studies here.

Meet the expert:

This article contains expert advice from Dermatology and Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Emma Coleman, who works in collaboration with MAGNITONE.

Ellen Kinsey is a senior health and wellness product writer for Yours, specialising in natural health and beauty. She lives and breathes all things food, travel and wellness.