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LED mask comparison
TheraFace Mask vs Mask Glo vs Solawave: which LED mask should you buy?
Our pick for most people
Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro
- 3-minute sessions vs Therabody's 9- and 12-minute daily presets
- Soft, flexible silicone instead of a rigid shell
- $399 with Buy 1, Get 1 Free, vs about $599 or $379.99
Pick a TheraFace mask if blue light and vibration massage matter most. Check TheraFace Mask priceCheck TheraFace Mask Glo price
Therabody makes two LED masks: the TheraFace Mask at about $599 and the newer TheraFace Mask Glo at $379.99. Both are rigid, cordless and add vibration massage. If you're choosing between them, it's worth comparing both with the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro, a flexible 3-minute mask at $399.
TheraFace Mask vs Mask Glo vs Solawave specs
Therabody lists the TheraFace Mask at about $599 (Bluemercury lists it at $649.99) and the Mask Glo at $379.99; Solawave lists the Wrinkle Retreat Pro at $399. Therabody doesn't publish irradiance. Figures were checked on September 16, 2026.
| Spec | Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro | Therabody TheraFace Mask | Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 list | ≈$599 list | $379.99 list |
| Wavelengths | Amber 605nm, Red 630nm, Deep red 660nm, Near-infrared 830nm | Blue 415nm, Red 633nm, Near-infrared 830nm | Blue 415nm, Red 633nm, Near-infrared 830nm |
| LEDs | 320 (160 dual-core chips) | 648 | 504 |
| Session length | 3 min | 9 min preset (3-min quick modes) | 12 min preset (4 red, 4 red+IR, 4 blue) |
| How often | 3–5x per week | Daily | Daily |
| Irradiance | 65 mW/cm² total, measured at the emitting surface | Not published | Not published |
| Dose per session | 11.7 J/cm² per session | Not published | Not published |
| FDA status | FDA-cleared Class II, 510(k) K252983 (full-face wrinkles) | FDA-cleared Class II (wrinkles, mild-to-moderate acne) | FDA-cleared |
| Build and fit | Flexible medical-grade silicone, two adjustable straps, detachable goggles | Rigid shell, cordless, vibration around eyes, brow and scalp, display stand | Rigid PC/ABS shell, cordless, scalp vibration, 1.16 lb |
| Money-back window | 60-day money-back, free returns | Check retailer | Check retailer |
| Warranty | 1 year | Check retailer | 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 (31 subjects, daily 9-min use; participants compensated) | 12-week brand study (104 subjects, daily 12-min use) |
| Buy | Check priceat solawave.co | Check TheraFace Mask price | 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 TheraFace masks use red (633nm), red plus near-infrared (830nm) and blue (415nm) light. Solawave uses amber (605nm), red (630nm), deep red (660nm) and near-infrared (830nm), all aimed at aging skin. The TheraFace Mask has 648 LEDs, the Mask Glo 504 and Solawave 320.
Filled dots are visible wavelengths. Dashed outlines are near-infrared, which you can’t see but which reaches deeper into the skin.
Therabody doesn't publish power output for either mask. Solawave publishes 65 mW/cm² and an 11.7 J/cm² dose per session.
TheraFace Mask vs Mask Glo: what's actually different?
The two Therabody masks look alike, but the Mask Glo is the simpler, cheaper version.
- LEDs: Mask 648; Mask Glo 504.
- Session: Mask 9-minute preset plus 3-minute quick modes; Mask Glo a 12-minute preset (4 minutes each of red, red plus infrared, and blue).
- Vibration: Mask massages around the eyes, brow and scalp; Mask Glo the scalp only.
- Extras: Mask has removable eye shields and a display stand; Mask Glo has built-in eye shields.
- Price: Mask about $599; Mask Glo $379.99.
If you want Therabody, the Mask Glo covers the same three light types for about $220 less. If you want shorter sessions and a flexible fit, the Wrinkle Retreat Pro is the alternative.
How much time does each mask take?
Therabody designs both masks for daily use; Solawave recommends 3 to 5 sessions a week. At those schedules:
All three are cordless. Therabody says both masks give about 120 minutes of LED use per charge; 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)What does the clinical evidence show?
All three are backed by brand-run studies rather than large independent trials.
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: 12-week brand study
Therabody reports a 12-week study of 31 people using the 9-minute preset daily; participants were compensated. Therabody says 93% saw improvements in fine lines.
TheraFace Mask Glo: 12-week brand study
Therabody reports a 12-week study of 104 people using the 12-minute preset daily, with improvements in under-eye wrinkles, radiance and sagging in as little as 8 weeks.
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.
- TheraFace reviewers mention the weight of the rigid shell and redness around the eyes from the eye 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.
Price and value
TheraFace Mask about $599, TheraFace Mask Glo $379.99 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. Check Therabody's or your retailer's policy.
- Warranty: Solawave 1 year; Mask Glo 1-year limited. Check the TheraFace Mask's terms.
- HSA/FSA: Solawave says the Wrinkle Retreat Pro is HSA/FSA eligible.
Which of the three should you buy?
Choose Solawave if
- You want 3-minute sessions a few times a week
- You want a light, flexible mask
- You want 60 days to decide, and 2-for-1 pricing
Choose TheraFace Mask if
- You want the most LEDs and vibration around the eyes
- Budget isn't a constraint
Choose TheraFace Mask Glo if
- You want Therabody's three light types for less
- A scalp massage is enough
Frequently asked questions
Is the TheraFace Mask worth the extra money over the Mask Glo?
Only if you want the extra 144 LEDs, the shorter 9-minute preset and vibration around the eyes and brow. Both use the same three light types.
Which is better for wrinkles: TheraFace or Solawave?
All three are FDA-cleared and use red and near-infrared light. Solawave's four wavelengths are all aimed at aging skin and it publishes its light output; the TheraFace masks split their sessions between anti-aging and acne light.
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 and Mask Glo product listings; Bluemercury; Ulta; Forbes Vetted; Good Gear.
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