Solawave vs Shark CryoGlow: which LED mask should you buy?

Solawave vs Shark CryoGlow specs, side by side

The Shark CryoGlow lists at $349.99 and the Wrinkle Retreat Pro at $399. Shark doesn’t publish irradiance, so the comparison below leans on wavelengths, session design and build. Figures were checked on each brand’s site on September 16, 2026.

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 around 630nm and near-infrared at 830nm, the core anti-aging pair. Shark adds 415nm blue light, which targets acne-causing bacteria; Solawave adds 605nm amber and 660nm deep red, aimed at tone, the look of redness and firmness. Shark’s 160 tri-wick LEDs each hold three emitters, for 480 light sources; Solawave’s 160 dual-core LEDs hold two each, for 320.

Which is better for acne?

Shark. Blue light at around 415nm is the wavelength most studied for mild acne, and the CryoGlow’s 8-minute Skin Clearing mode combines it with red and infrared. The Wrinkle Retreat Pro has no blue light and is cleared for wrinkles, not acne.

Which is better for wrinkles and tone?

Solawave’s four wavelengths are all aimed at aging skin, and it publishes both its irradiance (65 mW/cm²) and its per-session dose (11.7 J/cm²). Shark’s 6-minute Better Aging mode uses red and infrared, but Shark doesn’t publish the power behind it, which makes a like-for-like dose comparison impossible.

How much time does each mask take?

Shark’s programs are designed for daily use; Solawave’s for 3 to 5 sessions a week. At the brands’ recommended schedules for anti-aging:

Shark’s under-eye cooling mode runs separately for 5 to 15 minutes and can be used more than once a day. 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.

Rigid shell or flexible silicone: how do they fit?

This is the biggest practical difference. The Shark CryoGlow is a hard plastic mask that weighs about 1.5 lb, with silicone eye shields and clip-on cooling pads. TechRadar found it comfortable but bulky, inflexible and not travel-friendly, and Tom’s Guide noted that when the cooling pads are on, the under-eye area doesn’t get LED light.

The Wrinkle Retreat Pro is soft medical-grade silicone that bends to the face, with two adjustable straps and detachable goggles. It packs flat into its storage bag. In Solawave’s consumer panel, 91% said it was comfortable to wear after first use.

What does the clinical evidence show?

Both brands have run their own studies. Neither has published a large, independent, placebo-controlled trial of its at-home mask, so treat both sets of results as supportive.

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.

Shark CryoGlow: 12-week brand studies

Shark reports results from a 12-week study of 60 people using the Better Aging mode daily and a 12-week study of 59 people using the Skin Clearing mode daily. Shark’s claims cover fine lines, firmness and acne, with results measured at 4 to 8 weeks.

Are these masks FDA-cleared?

Yes. The Shark CryoGlow and the Wrinkle Retreat Pro are both 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:

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.
• Shark reviewers mention the mask’s weight and bulk, short battery life and awkward storage, and that the cooling pads block LED light from the under-eye area.

Independent editors

• Forbes Vetted named the Wrinkle Retreat Pro its best flexible LED face mask after months of panel testing.
• Mashable’s shopping team named the Shark CryoGlow the best red light mask it tested over 10 months, praising its blue-light acne mode.
• Good Gear tested the Wrinkle Retreat Pro for six months and reported visible improvement in redness with consistent use.

Solawave vs Shark CryoGlow: price and value

Shark lists the CryoGlow at $349.99, and a bundle with a charging stand at $399.99. The Wrinkle Retreat Pro lists at $399; as of September 16, 2026, Solawave was running Buy 1, Get 1 Free on solawave.co.

• Money-back window: Solawave 60 days, returns accepted even after use. Check Shark’s policy with your retailer.
• Warranty: Solawave 1 year; Shark 2-year limited.
• HSA/FSA: both brands say their masks may be HSA/FSA eligible.

Should you buy Solawave or Shark CryoGlow?

Frequently asked questions