I Used This Cult-Favorite Red Light Therapy Wand, & It Visibly Brightened My Skin While Reducing Fine Lines

I love red light therapy and find it’s one of the best ways to amplify your skincare (and overall wellness regimen!) without invasive injectables and fillers. So, when Solawave launched its new Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini last month, I had to test it out. In full transparency, I’ve been a fan of the brand for years and am obsessed with the Solawave Wand and the way the brand makes red light therapy compact and convenient.

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The Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini is an ultra-small device designed with 630nm red and 830nm near-infrared light to target signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles, elasticity and radiance. It also warms the skin up to reduce puffiness and awaken the complexion. “This technology is safe for your entire body and leaves your skin feeling soothed,” says Andrew Silberstein, the CEO and founder of Solawave.

The device also has a round disc shape with a comfortable and easy-to-grip pop-up handle that makes applying it to the face and body (especially the neck and décolletage) super easy. In addition to these areas, Silberstein says you can use it on your hands, legs, and arms—anywhere!

How I Tested the Solawave Red Light Therapy Device

Before (left) and after (right) using the Solawave Mini for four weeks.

Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini Buy Now $89 To better understand the Solawave Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini ’s efficacy, I took matters into my own hands and tested this new red light therapy device three days per week for four weeks, which is what the brand recommends for best results. And, after a few weeks of testing, I can definitely see a difference.

I tested the device on my face and neck—though, going forward, I’m definitely going to use it on my hands as well—and applied the disc to each area for three minutes. While the results are subtle (at least at the four-week mark), I began noticing some changes in my skin’s radiance and clarity around the third week. At week four, some of the fine lines on my forehead looked a lot less visible.

Pros

• Auto-shut off after 12 minutes
• Collapsible handle
• Rechargeable battery

Cons

• Since it’s so small, larger areas like the legs take longer to treat

Overall Thoughts

Overall, I love this device. The Solawave Wand is compact and convenient enough to toss in your toiletry bag, but the Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini is slightly more carry-on friendly, so it’s a great choice for travel or on-the-go use. The round disc surface also makes it easier to apply to different areas of the body, not just the complexion. I also found the pop-up handle comfortable (even with my typing-induced carpal tunnel) enough for longer periods of use.

FAQs

What is red light therapy?

“Red light therapy uses low wavelengths of light to penetrate the skin, which in turn stimulates cellular activity in the skin,” says Dr. Jeannette Graf , a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine. This popular skincare treatment can be found in both medical-grade and at-home devices (like the Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini ) and benefits the skin by improving skin texture, reducing wrinkles, and stimulating collagen production.

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Do at-home red light therapy devices work?

This definitely depends on the device. High-quality at-home red light therapy devices such as the Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini ) are worth incorporating into your routine if you’re looking for a convenient way to target signs of aging and elevate your current skincare routine. “At-home red light therapy devices can help enhance skin rejuvenation, reduce inflammation, and improve overall skin tone while at home, rather than paying for expensive in-office treatments,” says Dr. Graf.

How long until you see results from red light therapy?

According to Dr. Graf, results can vary from person to person—and device to device—but many see improvements in their skin texture and tone in four to six weeks of consistent use. “If you’re targeting improvements in signs of aging like fine lines or wanting to stimulate collagen production, it may take 8 to 12 weeks of consistent use,” she explains.

In my case, I saw some improvements in skin tone and radiance at around three weeks and a slight change to my fine lines at around four weeks. However, I’ll definitely keep incorporating the Radiant Renewal 2-in-1 Skincare Mini into my routine to reap the benefits of red light therapy over a longer period of time.