Red light therapy is all the rage in skincare these days, and for good reason: it works.
My dermatologist has been trying to get me to try red light therapy for years now, particularly because it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, reduce inflammation, and improve facial texture (amongst many other benefits). Unfortunately, the thing that’s always deterred me is the price. A 15-minute session at my derm’s office costs $150, and in order to see results, you need to get ongoing treatments at least once a month. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the time or the money for that.
At my last appointment, she suggested I check out two top rated, award-winning devices that have been making some serious buzz in the skincare world: the Omnilux Contour Face Mask and the Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand.
Both have lengthy return policies (30 days for Omnilux, 60 for Solawave), so I decided to test them out for 3 weeks each to see which one worked best for me (if either). I will say, going into it I was a bit biased towards the Omnilux mask because it’s been around for longer and covers your whole face… but I was secretly rooting for Solawave because it’s more affordable.
Omnilux vs. Solawave: The Crème de la Crème
I did a bit of research when I got home, and found out that people love these devices because they’re safe for all skin types, noninvasive, expert-tested, and dermatologist-backed. But, I wasn’t fully convinced until I saw the unreal before and after photos and customer testimonials on their websites. So what’s the deal with these two skincare heavy-hitters?
Omnilux started making medical-grade red light therapy technology in 2003, originally at a Cancer Institute to treat non-melanoma skin cancers. They came out with the Omnilux Contour shortly afterward, bringing high-tech red light therapy to peoples’ homes in a 10-minute treatment.
Solawave, on the other hand, has been around since 2020. But with 13 major awards from names like Harper’s Bazaar and Men’s Health, hundreds of features in publications like Vogue and Forbes, and an impressive list of celebrity users… that seems hard to believe. In just a short amount of time, they’ve become a leading skincare brand and made a name for their wand as a “skincare swiss army knife” that packs 4 technologies into 1 (which means you get more than just red light therapy).
So in the battle of better skin, here’s how the two stack up in four main categories: price, experience, power, and results. Let’s get into it.
1. Price: Solawave
Price was the main reason I started looking into these devices in the first place. I wanted something that had enough red light therapy to actually work—without breaking the bank. Omnilux comes in steeper at $395, and the mask uses solely red light to give you “firmer, more youthful-looking skin” and an “effortless glow.”
Solawave comes in at much-more-doable $169 (or $189 with the brand’s serum). Red light technology is the main component of the wand, but it also packs the powers of galvanic current, therapeutic warmth, and a gentle vibration to make it a 4-in-1 powerhouse. They claim that it “helps smooth fine lines, reduces the appearances of blemishes, and rejuvenates the skin for a glowing, radiant appearance.” Because of the multi-technology, the wand can also help to depuff, increase the absorption of topical skincare products, and help reduce the appearance of dark circles.
At less than half the price, Solawave’s product claims to do a lot more. For something that’s much more affordable, the versatility of the wand really stands out compared to the Omnilux mask.
2. Experience: Solawave
The Omnilux mask definitely looks and feels legit. It contours around your whole face, and you’re supposed to leave it on for 10 minutes at a time, 3-5 times per week. It felt pretty relaxing once I was able to wrangle my face into all of the straps, but the lights around my eyes were so bright I had to lie down with my eyes closed during the treatment. I know if I weren’t doing this experiment, I would have had trouble keeping up with a consistent routine.
The Solawave wand was easier to fit into my routine, by comparison. All I had to do was apply a hydrating serum and run the wand in long strokes across my face for 3 minutes, 3-5 times a week. The warmth and vibration made the experience much more pleasant than the mask. It felt like a massage, and the de-puffing was so effective, I was actually excited to use it in the mornings. Plus, on days when I used the Solawave wand, it felt like my skincare products absorbed better, which helped my makeup go on smoother.
When it comes to the experience, the Solawave wand is more fun and relaxing to use. I can feel it working as I glide the wand over my face, and I can see my face de-puffing as I’m using it. I’m able to truly multi-task while using it, whether that’s watching a show, reading a book, or riding in the car. I also love that it’s so small that I can take it on vacation, so I don’t have to take any days off in my routine (bonus points for the included travel case).
3. Power: Omnilux
The Omnilux mask packs 66 LED bulbs, while the Solawave wand uses 7 dual-core LEDs. Even though Solawave’s new and upgraded wand has more than 2x their original wand’s red light therapy power, the Omnilux mask packs more of a punch. Considering red light is all the Omnilux does, it makes sense that it’s got the clear edge over Solawave in terms of red light power. With red light therapy, higher wattage leads to faster acting benefits of the tech—which is why Omnilux says you only need to use it 3-5 times for 4-6 weeks and then as-needed for maintenance.
With the Solawave wand, the effects really start to build over time… so using it consistently is the best way to reap all the benefits. The power of the wand’s versatility, though, is worth noting. I was doing my red light treatment, depuffing, stimulating, and reinvigorating all in one palm-sized tool.
4. Results: Solawave
I tried Solawave first, and I could immediately see the effects of the galvanic current and facial massage, which started me out on a good foot. Using it consistently over the 3 weeks, I started to see a decrease in the appearance of my 11s, and my skin overall started to look more glowy and bouncy—thanks to the red light.
The Omnilux mask definitely carried on what the Solawave wand started in terms of reducing the appearance of my wrinkles and fine lines over the course of the 3 week period. But I missed the real-time benefits, depuffing, and the feel of the wand so much, I almost broke my commitment to the trial.
When you really weigh it all together, the Solawave wand just offers more in terms of a variety of benefits. You get the amazing effect of the red light therapy over time while also having an instant-result boost in facial glow and visible firming for date nights, office days, or anything in between. For me personally, it was sort of a no-brainer.
I Know Which One I’m Keeping, But You Do You
If you’re looking specifically for red light therapy only and want a super-high-powered device that’s effective but costly (and it’s within your budget), you can’t go wrong with the Omnilux mask. If I could afford it, I’d actually buy both. But your girl is on a journalist’s budget and I need to make sure I can make rent each month.
If you’re looking for a red light device that not only has long-term and short-term effects, but is easy to use, multi-purpose, portable, feels amazing, effortlessly blends in to your skincare routine, increases the effectiveness of your other products… and is affordable, I’d suggest the Solawave wand. This was the obvious option for me, but everyone’s skin is different and I’d say always do what’s best for your budget and your skincare goals.
Solawave’s Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand really does feel like a magic wand. It’s affordable and effective, and now I couldn’t imagine living without that Solawave glow.