Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (2025)

Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (1)

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  • Dermatologist-Approved
  • Best FDA-Cleared Device
  • Best Red Light Glove
  • Best Investment
  • Best Portable Device
  • Meet the Expert
  • How Often You Should Use It
  • Other Tips for Youthful Hands
  • Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
  • Shop More ELLE Beauty Loves
  • In the name of self-care, we slather our faces with wrinkle-reducing serums and face creams, treat them to face masks, and maybe even give them some red light therapy—but I’m willing to bet that our hands don’t get nearly as much attention. That’s a shame, because the skin on our hands is as—or even more—exposed to the elements and easily vulnerable to signs of aging as the skin on our faces.

    Dr. Serena Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates in Vallejo, CA, explains that as we age, the layer of fat we all have under the skin begins to shrink, resulting in older-looking hands. “The hands also typically get a lot of cumulative sun damage,” she adds. “We forget to apply sunscreen to the hands, and frequent hand washing will necessitate more frequent application of sunscreen prior to being outside or driving.” Pollution, smoking, and lack of a well-rounded diet can contribute as well. However, one way to turn back time is to use a red light therapy device on your hands.

    Our top picks for the best red light therapy devices for hands of 2025

    These devices do the same thing for our hands as they do for our faces, including soothing irritation and stimulating collagen to smooth out fine lines. According to Dr. Mraz, they may also help the skin get rid of senescent (also known as zombie) cells, which are cells that don’t function properly and may even “do more harm than good,” she explains. “These senescent cells result clinically in the appearance of dullness, uneven discoloration, and the acceleration of crepiness and loss of elasticity, among other negative consequences.” Additionally, some individuals report that light therapy has alleviated joint pain in their hands and throughout their bodies.

    Buying a skin care tool can be a hefty investment, so we did our research (including consulting Dr. Mraz and reading through countless customer reviews) to present you with the best options. Keep scrolling for our list of the five best red light therapy devices for pain-free, youthful-looking hands.

    Dermatologist-Approved

    Foreo FAQ 221-8 Light Hand Mask

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (8)

    Pros

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (9)Can be worn while doing other tasks

    Cons

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (10)Results can take some time

    As Dr. Mraz says, “The best device is one that will be used.” In her opinion, Foreo’s hand mask is one of the easiest ones to utilize; it’s lightweight, fits onto the hand like a glove, and keeps the palm uncovered so that you’re able to move comfortably during each treatment. The mask also offers blue, green, orange, cyan, yellow, and purple lights in addition to red, allowing you to focus on brightening, soothing, and evening the skin as needed.

    Red light wavelength: 650 nm

    Amazon rating: 3.5/5 stars

    Our expert says: “The Foreo FAQ 221 hand mask is specifically designed to address hand rejuvenation and provides freedom to move and multitask while the hands receive painless rejuvenation.”—Dr. Serena Mraz

    Best FDA-Cleared Device

    Currentbody LED Hand Perfector

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (11)

    Pros

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (12)Relatively quick results
    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (13)Built-in timer

    Cons

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (14)Can be hard to store due to bulky shape

    Here at ELLE, we’re huge fans of Currentbody—both our editors and readers are obsessed with the brand’s high-tech tools. We were happy to see one designed specifically for hands, and the device promises to deliver results in less than a month. After daily 10-minute treatments (stick both hands inside) for a few weeks, users have seen their skin soften and fine lines and age spots fade.

    Red light wavelength: 633 nm

    Currentbody rating: 4.7/5 stars

    A Currentbody reviewer says: “I have been using this for about 30 days. I try to use it every day but don’t always get to it. It has reduced the lines and spots on the back of my hand. I can’t wait to see what they look like in three months.”

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    Best Red Light Glove

    Omnilux Contour Glove

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (15)

    Pros

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (16)Helps with joint pain

    Cons

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (17)Can take time to see results

    Just like your typical red light therapy face mask, you can slip your hand into this glove, and a strap will keep the tool in place while the red light penetrates your skin. Over time, you may notice that your hands begin looking smoother and feel firmer. Also, there are a surprising number of reviews that report that the effects go beyond aesthetics. As one reviewer wrote, “The device is easy to use and helps with inflammation caused by my arthritis.”

    Red light wavelength: 633 nm

    Omnilux rating: 4.7/5 stars

    An Omnilux reviewer says: “This glove, along with the face mask and neck mask, are some of the best skin treatment products I have ever purchased. Within a week I could discern an improvement in dark spots, wrinkles, and skin texture. I have been faithful using the product daily.”

    Best Investment

    Lyma Laser Starter Kit

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (18)

    Pros

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (19)Can be used all over face and body

    Cons

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (20)Heavy

    I love using the Lyma Laser to reduce inflammation on my face, but the great thing about this device is that you can use it pretty much anywhere on your body, including the hands. With consistent use (ideally daily), the cold laser stimulates collagen and elastin production, softens fine lines and wrinkles, and reduces the look of hyperpigmentation. People have used it to eradicate crow’s feet, fade post-surgery scars, and even smooth out wrinkles on their knees.

    Wavelength: 808 nm

    Lyma rating: 4.9/5 stars

    A Lyma reviewer says: “There is no question that it works, with results noticeable within a few days—reduced fine lines, reduced scar lines, reduced age spots on hands, and firmer, more youthful skin.The best investment in skin care I’ve made.”

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    Best Portable Device

    Solawave 2-in-1 Skincare Mini

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (21)

    Pros

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (22)Can be used on face and body

    Cons

    • Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (23)Can take time to see results

    If you don’t feel like packing your usual red light face and hand masks, take this portable device with you. The Solawave 2-in-1 Skincare Mini fits right into the palm of your hand and treats wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness on your face, neck, and beyond.

    Red light wavelength: 630 nm

    Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

    An Amazon reviewer says: “I am so pleased to say that this actually works! It’s firmed my jawline, and fine lines have disappeared—it’s even improved some deeper lines. Honestly, I am thrilled that this works so well. I’m 71, and the improvement is seriously noticeable.”

    Meet the Expert

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (24)

    Dr. Serena Mraz is a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates in Vallejo, CA.

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    How often should you use red light therapy on the hands?

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (25)

    “Most studies support efficacy with use between two and five times per week,” says Dr. Mraz. “Treatment durations are typically 12–20 minutes per session.”

    What are other ways to keep hands looking their best?

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (26)

    According to Dr. Mraz, prevention is key. Stimulating collagen “is useless without protecting against environmental and endogenous (internal) factors that accelerate degradation of the skin,” she says. She recommends using hand cream and implementing healthy habits like regular exercise and sleep, eating nutritious foods, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

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    Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (27)

    As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Carol Lee consulted a board-certified dermatologist to learn more about red light therapy for hands. She also combed through reviews for top-rated products, assessing each one based on their features and customer evaluations.

    Shop More ELLE Beauty Essentials

    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (28)

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    Do Red Light Therapy Devices Actually Work for Our Hands? (2025)

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