Affiliate disclosure: The Light Therapy Institute earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, including the Solawave links. It never changes the price you pay. Read our full disclosure.
LED mask comparison
Solawave vs INIA: is the cheaper red light mask enough?
Our pick for most people
Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro
- FDA-cleared, with a public 510(k) number and a published 8-week study
- 3-minute sessions vs INIA's 10
- Flexible fit and a 60-day money-back guarantee
Pick INIA if price decides it: the GLOW Wireless was $139.99 on sale. Check INIA price
INIA's GLOW Wireless costs about a third of the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro, and its listed specs look strong for the money. The real question is what the extra $260 buys. Here's how the two compare on the evidence behind them, session time, fit and what independent testers found.
Solawave vs INIA specs, side by side
INIA was selling the GLOW Wireless for $139.99 (list $299.99) on its own site; the Wrinkle Retreat Pro lists at $399. INIA's irradiance figure is a brand claim we couldn't verify independently. Figures were checked on September 16, 2026.
| Spec | Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro | INIA GLOW Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 list | $139.99 sale ($299.99 list) |
| Wavelengths | Amber 605nm, Red 630nm, Deep red 660nm, Near-infrared 830nm | Blue 460nm, Yellow 610nm, Red 630nm, Near-infrared 850nm |
| LEDs | 320 (160 dual-core chips) | 272 (68 quad-chip bulbs) |
| Session length | 3 min | 10 min |
| How often | 3–5x per week | 3–5x per week |
| Irradiance | 65 mW/cm² total, measured at the emitting surface | 105 mW/cm² (brand claim) |
| Dose per session | 11.7 J/cm² per session | Not published |
| FDA status | FDA-cleared Class II, 510(k) K252983 (full-face wrinkles) | Described by INIA as an FDA Class II device |
| Build and fit | Flexible medical-grade silicone, two adjustable straps, detachable goggles | Cordless silicone mask, magnetic battery |
| Money-back window | 60-day money-back, free returns | Check retailer |
| Warranty | 1 year | Check retailer |
| Clinical evidence | 8-week home-use study by Kosmoscience (32 adults, ages 37–70), published on solawave.co | Brand cites SGS third-party validation |
| Buy | Check priceat solawave.co | Check INIA price |
Irradiance is measured differently from brand to brand (at the LED surface or at skin distance), and some brands don’t publish it, so treat cross-brand irradiance figures as directional.
Which light does each mask use?
Both masks use red light at 630nm and near-infrared, Solawave at 830nm and INIA at 850nm. INIA adds 460nm blue for breakouts and 610nm yellow; Solawave adds 605nm amber and 660nm deep red, with all four wavelengths aimed at aging skin. INIA's 272 LEDs come from 68 four-chip bulbs; Solawave's 320 come from 160 dual-core chips.
Filled dots are visible wavelengths. Dashed outlines are near-infrared, which you can’t see but which reaches deeper into the skin.
Is INIA's 105 mW/cm² claim more powerful than Solawave?
INIA lists 105 mW/cm² but doesn't publish how it was measured or a per-session dose. Solawave lists 65 mW/cm², tested under IEC 62471, and an 11.7 J/cm² dose per session. The tester at Light Therapy Insiders rated INIA's power well but recommended shortening its 10-minute session to about 6 minutes at the output he measured.
How much time does each mask take?
Both brands suggest 3 to 5 sessions a week. At five sessions a week:
INIA's controller doubles as a magnetic battery, so the mask is fully cordless. Solawave's controller counts down each 3-minute session and switches off on its own.
How the Wrinkle Retreat Pro fits and runs, from Solawave.
See Solawave’s current offerBuy 1, Get 1 Free on solawave.co (checked Sept 16, 2026)How do the two masks fit?
This is where the price gap shows. The Light Therapy Insiders tester found the INIA GLOW put pressure on the bridge of the nose when worn snugly, which gave him and a second tester headaches, and that the lower-face LEDs were weaker than the upper face.
The Wrinkle Retreat Pro is soft medical-grade silicone with two adjustable straps and detachable goggles. In Solawave's consumer panel, 91% of participants said it was comfortable to wear and 91% said it was pain-free after first use.
What does the clinical evidence show?
Solawave publishes device-specific study results and its FDA clearance number. INIA publishes certifications but not a comparable study.
Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro: 8-week home-use study
Solawave commissioned Kosmoscience Group, an independent contract research organization, to test the Wrinkle Retreat Pro on 32 adults aged 37–70 using it 3 minutes a day, 5 days a week. At 8 weeks, a dermatologist graded a visible reduction in fine lines and wrinkles in all participants, and cutometer readings showed firmness improving by up to 16.7% and elasticity by up to 14.9%. The study is small, company-funded and had no placebo group, so read it as supportive rather than definitive. Solawave publishes the full results on its science and certifications page.
INIA GLOW Wireless: certifications
INIA describes the GLOW Wireless as an FDA Class II and CE medical device and says its performance was validated by SGS, a third-party testing company. INIA doesn't publish a clinical study of the mask or a 510(k) number on its product page.
How can I check a mask's FDA clearance?
Solawave's clearance number, K252983, can be looked up in the FDA 510(k) database. For any mask, ask the brand for its 510(k) number and search it there. FDA clearance means a device was found substantially equivalent to one already legally marketed; it is not the same as FDA approval.
What do owners and reviewers say?
Owners of the Wrinkle Retreat Pro most often mention how quickly sessions go and changes in tone and fine lines within the first month:
“Facial lines and wrinkles are definitely improved after 3-4 weeks of use… This mask is so easy and so quick to use.”
Susan R., age 58–67, verified buyer review on solawave.co
“After just two weeks, my skin tone has evened out as if I'm wearing my light BB cream.”
Joy K., age 58–67, verified buyer review on solawave.co
“I've been using the mask now religiously every other day for about a month and I decided to do a side-by-side… there absolutely is [a difference]!”
Jessica S., age 38–47, verified buyer review on solawave.co
“I was using the original mask already… At 71 I wanted to try the new version and glad I did.”
Sheri S., age 68–77, verified buyer review on solawave.co
Day 1
Day 30
Before and after photos published by Solawave from a Wrinkle Retreat Pro user. Individual results vary.
The complaints we saw most
- Some Wrinkle Retreat Pro owners report no visible change after several weeks. Results vary, which is where Solawave's 60-day return window matters.
- A few owners found the Velcro straps fiddly or short, especially when pairing the mask with the neck attachment.
- INIA reviewers mention pressure on the nose bridge and weaker coverage on the lower face.
Independent editors
- Forbes Vetted named the Wrinkle Retreat Pro its best flexible LED face mask after long-term panel testing.
- Light Therapy Insiders called the INIA GLOW strong value on paper but flagged fit problems that could be a deal breaker for some faces.
- Good Gear tested the Wrinkle Retreat Pro for six months and reported visible improvement in redness with consistent use.
Solawave vs INIA: price and value
INIA's GLOW Wireless was $139.99 on sale. The Wrinkle Retreat Pro lists at $399; with Solawave's Buy 1, Get 1 Free offer (September 16, 2026), that's about $200 a mask if you share the second one.
- Money-back window: Solawave 60 days, returns accepted even after use. Check INIA's policy before buying.
- Warranty: Solawave 1 year. Check INIA's warranty terms.
- HSA/FSA: Solawave says the Wrinkle Retreat Pro is HSA/FSA eligible.
Should you buy Solawave or INIA?
Choose Solawave if
- You want a published device study and a verifiable FDA clearance number
- You want 3-minute sessions and a comfortable flexible fit
- You want 60 days to see results before deciding
Choose INIA if
- Your budget is under $150
- You want blue light for occasional breakouts
- You're comfortable with 10-minute sessions and a firmer fit
Frequently asked questions
Is the INIA red light mask FDA-cleared?
INIA describes the GLOW Wireless as an FDA Class II device, but its product page doesn't list a 510(k) number. Ask INIA for the number and check it in the FDA 510(k) database. Solawave's number, K252983, is public.
Is a $140 LED mask as effective as a $400 one?
It can be, if it delivers the right wavelengths at an effective dose and you use it consistently. The differences are usually in verified output, comfort, build quality, published evidence and return terms, which is where the Wrinkle Retreat Pro's extra cost goes.
Can I use an LED mask on darker skin?
Brands generally say their masks suit all skin types. Solawave advises people with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI, or pigment-prone skin, to check with a dermatologist about frequency, because higher melanin absorbs more visible light.
Who shouldn't use an LED mask?
Don't use an LED mask if you're pregnant, prone to seizures, have active cancer, or take medication that causes light sensitivity, and wait until you've fully healed after facial procedures. Read each brand's full contraindications and ask your doctor if you're unsure.
Ready to try the Wrinkle Retreat Pro?
$399 list price, a 60-day money-back guarantee, free US returns and a 1-year warranty.
Check price at SolawaveBuy 1, Get 1 Free on solawave.co (checked Sept 16, 2026)How we compare: we use each brand’s published specifications, FDA 510(k) records and clinical documentation, independent editorial reviews, and verified owner reviews. Prices and offers change; we check them each time we update a page. This page is for information only and isn’t medical advice.
Sources: Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro product and science pages; INIA GLOW Wireless product pages; Light Therapy Insiders; Forbes Vetted; Good Gear.
We may earn a commission through links in this review. Full disclosure →
Wrinkle Retreat Pro with a 60-day guarantee
Check price