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LED mask comparison
Solawave vs Omnilux vs Shark CryoGlow: which LED mask should you buy?
Our pick for most people
Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro
- 3-minute sessions vs 10 for Omnilux and a daily 6-minute routine for Shark
- Soft, flexible silicone with four anti-aging wavelengths
- $399 with Buy 1, Get 1 Free and a 60-day money-back guarantee
Pick Omnilux for its research history, or Shark for blue light and under-eye cooling. Check Omnilux priceCheck Shark CryoGlow price
Omnilux is the long-established flexible mask, Shark's CryoGlow is the rigid newcomer with blue light and under-eye cooling, and Solawave's Wrinkle Retreat Pro is the 3-minute option with four anti-aging wavelengths. Here's how the three compare on light, time, fit, evidence and price.
Solawave vs Omnilux vs Shark CryoGlow specs
Shark lists the CryoGlow at $349.99, Omnilux the Contour Face at $395 and Solawave the Wrinkle Retreat Pro at $399. Shark doesn't publish irradiance. Figures were checked on September 16, 2026.
| Spec | Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro | Omnilux Contour Face | Shark CryoGlow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 list | $395 list | $349.99 list |
| Wavelengths | Amber 605nm, Red 630nm, Deep red 660nm, Near-infrared 830nm | Red 633nm, Near-infrared 830nm | Blue 415nm, Red 630nm, Near-infrared 830nm |
| LEDs | 320 (160 dual-core chips) | 132 (66 dual-chip bulbs) | 160 tri-wick LEDs (480 light sources) |
| Session length | 3 min | 10 min | 6 min (Better Aging), 8 min (Skin Clearing), 4 min (Sustain) |
| How often | 3–5x per week | 3–5x per week for 4–6 weeks, then maintenance | Daily |
| Irradiance | 65 mW/cm² total, measured at the emitting surface | ≈30–35 mW/cm² (reseller-published; not listed on Omnilux's US site) | Not published |
| Dose per session | 11.7 J/cm² per session | ≈18 J/cm² per session (at 30 mW/cm² for 10 min) | Not published |
| FDA status | FDA-cleared Class II, 510(k) K252983 (full-face wrinkles) | FDA-cleared (full-face wrinkles) | FDA-cleared |
| Build and fit | Flexible medical-grade silicone, two adjustable straps, detachable goggles | Flexible silicone, Velcro head straps, 330 g with controller | Rigid shell, about 1.5 lb, under-eye cooling pads (3 chill levels) |
| Money-back window | 60-day money-back, free returns | 30-day money-back | Check retailer |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years (device), 1 year (controller) | 2-year limited |
| Clinical evidence | 8-week home-use study by Kosmoscience (32 adults, ages 37–70), published on solawave.co | Brand cites 40+ peer-reviewed studies on its parent Omnilux Medical platform | 12-week brand studies (60 and 59 subjects, daily use) |
| Buy | Check priceat solawave.co | Check Omnilux price | Check Shark CryoGlow 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?
All three use red light around 630nm and 830nm near-infrared. Shark adds 415nm blue light for acne. Solawave adds 605nm amber and 660nm deep red for tone and firmness. Shark's 160 tri-wick LEDs hold 480 light sources; Solawave has 320 LEDs and Omnilux 132.
Filled dots are visible wavelengths. Dashed outlines are near-infrared, which you can’t see but which reaches deeper into the skin.
Solawave publishes 65 mW/cm² and 11.7 J/cm² per session. Omnilux is reported at about 30–35 mW/cm² by resellers. Shark doesn't publish its output, so a like-for-like dose comparison with Shark isn't possible.
Omnilux vs Shark CryoGlow: what's actually different?
These two are built very differently.
- Build: Omnilux is flexible silicone at 330 g with its controller; Shark is a rigid shell at about 1.5 lb.
- Light: Omnilux uses red and near-infrared only; Shark adds blue for acne.
- Extras: Shark has under-eye cooling pads with 3 chill levels; when they're attached, the under-eye area doesn't get LED light, per Tom's Guide.
- Routine: Omnilux runs 10 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week; Shark's programs are designed for daily 4- to 8-minute use.
- Price and warranty: Omnilux $395 with a 2-year mask warranty; Shark $349.99 with a 2-year limited warranty.
Reviewers at TechRadar found the CryoGlow comfortable but bulky and not travel-friendly.
How much time does each mask take?
At each brand's recommended anti-aging schedule:
Shark's under-eye cooling runs separately for 5 to 15 minutes. 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)What does the clinical evidence show?
None of the three has published a large, independent, placebo-controlled trial of its at-home mask.
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.
Omnilux: established platform research
Omnilux says its technology is supported by more than 40 peer-reviewed studies on its Omnilux Medical clinic systems.
Shark CryoGlow: 12-week brand studies
Shark reports a 12-week study of 60 people using Better Aging mode daily and a 12-week study of 59 people using Skin Clearing mode daily.
Are these masks FDA-cleared?
Yes. All three masks are FDA-cleared. Solawave's clearance number, K252983, can be looked up in the FDA 510(k) database. 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.
- Omnilux reviewers mention the 10-minute sessions and the 30-day return limit; Shark reviewers mention weight, bulk and short battery life.
Independent editors
- Forbes Vetted named the Wrinkle Retreat Pro its best flexible LED face mask and the Omnilux Contour Face its best silicone mask.
- Mashable’s shopping team named the Shark CryoGlow the best red light mask it tested over 10 months.
- Good Gear tested the Wrinkle Retreat Pro for six months and reported visible improvement in redness with consistent use.
Price and value
Shark $349.99, Omnilux $395 and Solawave $399 at list price. As of September 16, 2026, Solawave was running Buy 1, Get 1 Free on solawave.co.
- Money-back window: Solawave 60 days, even after use; Omnilux 30 days; check Shark's policy with your retailer.
- Warranty: Solawave 1 year; Omnilux 2 years on the mask; Shark 2-year limited.
- HSA/FSA: Solawave and Shark say their masks may be HSA/FSA eligible.
Which of the three should you buy?
Choose Solawave if
- You want the shortest sessions and a flexible mask
- Wrinkles, firmness and tone are your focus
- You want 60 days to decide, and 2-for-1 pricing
Choose Omnilux if
- You want the longest research history
- You're fine with 10-minute sessions
Choose Shark CryoGlow if
- Breakouts or under-eye puffiness are a priority
- You don't mind a rigid mask and daily use
Frequently asked questions
Is Omnilux or Shark CryoGlow better?
It depends on your goal. Omnilux is a flexible red and near-infrared mask for anti-aging with a long research history. Shark adds blue light for acne and under-eye cooling, in a rigid mask designed for daily use.
Does the Shark CryoGlow treat under-eye wrinkles?
The cooling pads soothe and depuff the under-eye area, but when they're attached, that area doesn't receive LED light. Solawave and Omnilux light the full face.
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; Omnilux Contour Face product listings; SharkNinja CryoGlow product page; TechRadar; Tom's Guide; Mashable; Forbes Vetted; Good Gear.
We may earn a commission through links in this review. Full disclosure →
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