It's no mystery that red light therapy is all the rage on social media, with millions of TikTok videos showcasing a variety of at-home devices from DIY hats to masks. But have you heard of red light therapy belts? While these wearable wraps may be new to the chat, they, like other popular red light tools, are easy to use and provide a plethora of health benefits and promote healthy skin.
To learn more, we interviewed Tama Tran, a nurse practitioner and founder of Lily Med Spa, as well as Dr. Sean T. Doherty, a board-certified plastic surgeon, who shared the ins and outs of red light therapy belts and their numerous short-and long-term effects, including reducing inflammation and pain relief.
Interested in trying one of these buzzy gadgets? Scroll down to explore our complete list of expert-recommended and editor-tested red light therapy belts from reputable brands like Therabody, Bon Charge and more. We also rounded out the list with more tried-and-true red light therapy products, from a budget-friendly mask to a splurge-worthy cap.
What is red light therapy?
If you're unfamiliar with red light therapy, now is the perfect time to get on board, as not only is it a viral trend, but it is also beloved by many experts in the medical field.
"Red light therapy is a noninvasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular activity in the skin and underlying tissues," states Doherty. To break it down, she says the light penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the mitochondria in cells.
"This increases cellular energy production, which can promote collagen and elastin production, improve circulation and oxygen delivery and reduce inflammation. This is a good addition to other non-invasive treatments," notes Doherty.
What are the benefits of red light therapy belts?
If you suffer from abdominal pain like me, red light therapy belts or wraps are a great option for relief. “Red light therapy belts offer a wide range of benefits,” explains Tran. “Some are improving circulation, collagen production, and tissue repair, which helps the joints, muscles and skin. I love red light therapy for my patients because of its skin benefits, like improving skin tone, texture and reducing signs of aging.”
Doherty reiterates that red light therapy belts also support healing, reduce stiffness and improve overall skin quality. TODAY previously spoke with experts on the rise of red light therapy, with some noting that, through enhancing cell growth and tissue regeneration, it may speed up the wound-healing process as well. Additionally, when paired with other treatments, it may prevent scar thickness.
What to look for in a red light therapy belt
When it comes to choosing the perfect red light therapy belt for your specific needs, it's vital to consider a number of factors, including portability, overall quality/effectiveness and FDA-approval.
"Device quality and effectiveness are important when looking for a red light therapy belt," suggests Doherty. "Effectiveness depends on the light penetrating the tissue. Look for a device that emits red light around 630-680 nm and near-infrared light around 800-880 nm. The belt should be large enough to cover the desired area of treatment. Most effective belts deliver enough total energy in a session of 10-20 minutes."
Tran also recommends selecting a red-light therapy belt that is FDA approved and features dual light therapy (both red and infrared). "Another huge perk of red-light therapy belts is that they can be used anywhere, so purchasing one that is portable and comfortable is another bonus," she says.
Of course, it's always best to speak with your personal provider before adding anything new to your routine (especially for those who are pregnant or undergoing cancer treatment). Below, we rounded up some expert- and editor-approved red light therapy belts as well as additional tried-and-true red light devices.
The best red light therapy belts, according to experts and editors
"I recommend this one because it is FDA approved, has both red and infrared light, and helps with relieving pain, inflammation and improving skin health," says Tran. "This belt also helps promote collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and cellulite."
Tran is also a big fan of this comfortable belt that features three levels of heat and is also HSA/FSA eligible.
“This belt has a combination of heat with infrared, vibration and LED light which helps with pain and speeding up the recovery process,” she explains. “I like how you are able to adjust the settings to your preference and can be used for a good duration of time on just one charge.”
I [Wise] suffer from endometriosis, so I have been wanting to try a red light belt out for a while, as I had heard it's supposed to help alleviate menstrual cramps. When I received a sample of this Bon Charge Infrared PEMP wrap recently, I was so excited to try it out and see if it lived up to the hype, which it did. Within minutes of testing, my cramps already felt better due to the easy-to-use heat function that helped instantly warm my tummy. I haven't used it long enough to report on any long-term results, but it's going to be my new go-to red light therapy device moving forward for period pain relief.
This editor-loved belt also aids in better sleep, increased energy and faster recovery, according to the brand.
Paula Brezavscek, a board-certified physician associate and the founder of Azala Skin Clinic in Miami, Florida, recommends this premium red light therapy wrap, which "offers 660nm and 850nm wavelengths that support both skin health and deeper tissue recovery." This luxe device also helps with relaxation and provides a temporary increase in local blood circulation, says the brand.
Brezavscek refers to this comfortable belt as a "good option for patients looking for broader coverage and stronger output, especially for muscle recovery and joint discomfort." This splurge item also features a built-in timer and 160 triple-chipped LEDs.
More editor-approved red light therapy products
“I have had this attachment for a few years and love how I’m able to save on space when I’m traveling but still want to do my skin care on the go,” said commerce editor Vivien Moon. “It has a sensor so it knows when it’s on the skin and turns off when it’s not on, which is also great for those who don’t love the red light glaring at them when it’s not on the face."
Editor’s note: You will need the NuFace Trinity+ deviceto utilize this attachment.
Moon recently tested the TheraFace Mask Glo, which was on Shop TODAY's Gifts We Love list for 2025. "I have tried a handful of red light masks in the last few years, and have used the technology for at least five years, so I have a lot of opinions on the subject matter," shares Moon. "While I don’t love a hard shell mask, I am a big fan of this new one from Therabody. I love that it doesn’t have any wires hanging off the side, making it easy to wear while doing things around the house."
She also mentions that this mask comes with a removable protective eye shield to help those who may find the light irritating. "The adjustable straps make it easy to fit it to your liking, and the straps are developed to provide a little massage to your head through vibration, which I thought was a nice touch," adds Moon. "I have swapped out my other masks for this one now."
Commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto tested the HigherDose Red Light Cap before her wedding to help with her stress-induced thinning hair. “Since it’s cordless, it’s super easy to use while watching TV, cleaning or even while cooking each night,” she previously told us.
In addition to the HigherDose cap, Ricevuto also used Nioxin Hair Fall Defense Shampoo and SickScience PowerCycle Scalp Treatment Serum, which together resulted in hair growth.
Frequently asked questions
Doherty says it depends on the intended goal and the consistency of use. "Consistently doing a 10-20 treatment three to five times a week results can be seen after about four to six weeks," he explains. "Think of red light therapy as exercise or taking vitamins, done once there is no demonstrative change, but being consistent and combining it with other treatments, overtime improvement is noticeable."
Doherty notes that these at-home devices are less powerful than medical-grade devices found in an office. "They are most beneficial when used in conjunction with cosmetic or medical treatments; they do not replace them," he adds.
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How we chose
Allie Wise is an associate editor for Shop TODAY who has been reviewing and testing products since 2022. She specializes in mature skin care and has covered a variety of topics from retinol products to foundations for mature skin.
Wise also spoke with a double board-certified plastic surgeon, a board-certified physician's associate and a certified nurse practitioner who provided multiple product recommendations for red light therapy belts. To round out the list, she also asked her fellow editors to share their tried-and-true red light therapy devices as well.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on red light therapy belts. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Tama Tran, MSN, NP-C, is the founder of Lily Med Spa in Dallas, Texas.
- Dr. Sean T. Doherty, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Boston.
- Paula Brezavscek, PA-C, is a board-certified physician associate and the founder of Azala Skin Clinic in Miami, Florida.
