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LED mask comparison
Solawave vs TheraFace Mask Glo: which LED mask should you buy?
Our pick for most people
Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro
- 3-minute sessions vs a 12-minute daily preset: about 15 minutes a week instead of 84
- Soft, flexible silicone vs a rigid 1.16 lb shell
- Four anti-aging wavelengths and a 60-day money-back guarantee
Pick TheraFace Mask Glo if you want blue light for breakouts and a built-in scalp massage. Check TheraFace Mask Glo price
Therabody's TheraFace Mask Glo ($379.99) and Solawave's Wrinkle Retreat Pro ($399) sit at almost the same price but take different approaches. Therabody pairs 504 LEDs with blue light and a vibrating scalp massage in a 12-minute daily routine; Solawave uses four anti-aging wavelengths in a flexible mask and a 3-minute session.
Solawave vs TheraFace Mask Glo specs, side by side
Therabody lists the TheraFace Mask Glo at $379.99; the Wrinkle Retreat Pro lists at $399. Therabody doesn't publish irradiance. Figures were checked on September 16, 2026.
| Spec | Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro | Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 list | $379.99 list |
| Wavelengths | Amber 605nm, Red 630nm, Deep red 660nm, Near-infrared 830nm | Blue 415nm, Red 633nm, Near-infrared 830nm |
| LEDs | 320 (160 dual-core chips) | 504 |
| Session length | 3 min | 12 min preset (4 red, 4 red+IR, 4 blue) |
| How often | 3–5x per week | Daily |
| Irradiance | 65 mW/cm² total, measured at the emitting surface | Not published |
| Dose per session | 11.7 J/cm² per session | Not published |
| FDA status | FDA-cleared Class II, 510(k) K252983 (full-face wrinkles) | FDA-cleared |
| Build and fit | Flexible medical-grade silicone, two adjustable straps, detachable goggles | Rigid PC/ABS shell, cordless, scalp vibration, 1.16 lb |
| Money-back window | 60-day money-back, free returns | Check retailer |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1-year limited |
| Clinical evidence | 8-week home-use study by Kosmoscience (32 adults, ages 37–70), published on solawave.co | 12-week brand study (104 subjects, daily 12-min use) |
| Buy | Check priceat solawave.co | Check TheraFace Mask Glo 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 around 630–633nm and near-infrared at 830nm. The Mask Glo adds 415nm blue light, which targets acne-causing bacteria, and runs a fixed sequence: 4 minutes of red, 4 of red plus infrared, and 4 of blue. Solawave runs amber, red, deep red and near-infrared together for 3 minutes. The Mask Glo has 504 LEDs to Solawave's 320.
Filled dots are visible wavelengths. Dashed outlines are near-infrared, which you can’t see but which reaches deeper into the skin.
Which is better for acne?
The TheraFace Mask Glo, because it includes blue light. The Wrinkle Retreat Pro has no blue light and is cleared for wrinkles, not acne.
How much time does each mask take?
Therabody designs the Mask Glo for a 12-minute session every day; Solawave recommends 3 to 5 sessions a week. At those schedules:
Both masks are cordless. Therabody says a charge gives about 120 minutes of LED use or 60 minutes with vibration; Solawave says a charge lasts about 20 sessions.
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)Rigid shell or flexible silicone: how do they fit?
The TheraFace Mask Glo is a rigid shell made of PC, ABS and TPU that weighs 1.16 lb, with built-in silicone eye shields and VibraWave scalp vibration in the straps. Therabody's own instructions note that normal use of the eye shields can leave redness around the eyes that should fade within 5 to 10 minutes.
The Wrinkle Retreat Pro is soft medical-grade silicone with two adjustable straps and detachable goggles, and packs flat for travel. In Solawave's consumer panel, 91% of participants 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.
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.
TheraFace Mask Glo: 12-week brand study
Therabody reports results from a 12-week study of 104 people using the 12-minute preset daily, and says the Mask Glo reduced under-eye wrinkles and fine lines, improved radiance and reduced sagging in as little as 8 weeks.
Are these masks FDA-cleared?
Yes. The TheraFace Mask Glo and the Wrinkle Retreat Pro 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.
- TheraFace reviewers mention the weight of the rigid shell and redness around the eyes from the built-in shields.
Independent editors
- Forbes Vetted named the Wrinkle Retreat Pro its best flexible LED face mask after long-term panel testing.
- Ulta shoppers rate the TheraFace Mask Glo 4.8 out of 5 across 44 reviews (September 2026).
- Good Gear tested the Wrinkle Retreat Pro for six months and reported visible improvement in redness with consistent use.
Solawave vs TheraFace Mask Glo: price and value
Therabody lists the Mask Glo at $379.99, and Ulta had it on sale for $299.99 when we checked. 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 Therabody's or your retailer's policy.
- Warranty: Solawave 1 year; Therabody 1-year limited.
- HSA/FSA: Solawave says the Wrinkle Retreat Pro is HSA/FSA eligible.
Should you buy Solawave or TheraFace Mask Glo?
Choose Solawave if
- Wrinkles, firmness and tone are your focus
- You want a light, flexible mask and 3-minute sessions
- You want 60 days to decide, and 2-for-1 pricing
Choose TheraFace Mask Glo if
- You want blue light for breakouts
- A scalp massage during treatment appeals to you
- A 12-minute daily ritual fits your routine
Frequently asked questions
Is Solawave or TheraFace Mask Glo better for wrinkles?
Both are FDA-cleared and both use red and near-infrared light. Solawave's four wavelengths are all aimed at aging skin and it publishes its light output; Therabody doesn't. The Mask Glo splits its 12-minute session between anti-aging and acne light.
What's the difference between the TheraFace Mask and the Mask Glo?
The TheraFace Mask has 648 LEDs, a 9-minute preset and vibration around the eyes, brow and scalp for about $599. The Mask Glo has 504 LEDs, a 12-minute preset and scalp-only vibration for $379.99.
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; Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo product listings; Ulta; Forbes Vetted; Good Gear.
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Wrinkle Retreat Pro with a 60-day guarantee
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