Solawave

About the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro

Solawave makes a full range of products, including a 4-in-1 wand, area-specific LED devices and skincare, but in this review we’re focusing on their core offering: The Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Face Mask, an FDA-cleared device that helps support collagen for visibly firmer, smoother, younger-looking skin.

Benefits

Red light therapy, also known as low level light therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to rejuvenate skin at the cellular level. Here are some of the potential benefits of the Wrinkle Retreat Pro LED Mask:

• Visibly lifts and tightens for firmer, more resilient skin
• Targets dullness, redness and uneven skin tone
• Smooths fine lines and wrinkles
• Restores radiance and glow
• Reduces dark spots 
• All-natural treatment with no pain, side effects or downtime

Performance & Features

The Wrinkle Retreat Pro is all new and packed with enhancements, which we’ll cover in-depth in this section. Notably, the treatment time has decreased to just three minutes, three to five times per week, making it a solid choice for even the busiest skincare enthusiasts.

Customer reviews are strong, citing visible results, convenience and improved comfort, and independent clinician evaluations reinforce that it’s safe, easy to use and has a smart design that increases efficacy.

Wavelengths

Quick backstory: Light comes in different wavelengths, each appearing as a different color. Each wavelength penetrates the skin at varying depths, which results in different biological responses and benefits.

The Wrinkle Retreat Pro harnesses the power of four different wavelengths, measured in nanometers, or nm. Here’s how they work to support your skin:

• Near-Infrared Light (830nm): Penetrates deepest to support circulation, recovery and repair.
• Deep Red Light (660nm): Energizes skin cells to boost firmness, elasticity and tone.
• Red Light (633nm): Supports collagen and elastin for visibly firmer, smoother skin.

• Amber Light (605nm): Promotes circulation and reduces visible puffiness and redness.

Design & Materials 

The Wrinkle Retreat Pro is made from soft, flexible, medical-grade silicone, polycarbonate plastic and nylon. The medical-grade silicone is soft and flexible, so it molds to your face without pinching or discomfort. 

It comes with adjustable head straps for the perfect fit, protective goggles for additional eye safety and sensitivity and a remote control so you can adjust the settings without taking the device off.

The rechargeable battery lasts up to 60 minutes, or about 20 treatments, before requiring a recharge.

Number & Placement of LEDs

With 160 dual-core LEDs, the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro has a total of 320 LEDs, providing edge-to-edge coverage and allowing for even distribution across the face. This coverage matters because it means the LEDs can reach all of the natural contours of your face, which results in a more consistent, effective treatment.

Irradiance is another measure of red light therapy effectiveness. It’s the measure of light power density that reaches the skin. A higher powered device often requires less exposure time for effective results, and such is the case with the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro with an irradiance of 65 milliwatts per square centimeter (mw/cm2). This is higher than many competitors and is the reason why the treatment time is knocked down to a very manageable three minutes.

FDA Clearance & Safety Certifications

Solawave’s products have undergone rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness and are considered safe for all skin types. Here’s what you need to know about the safety clearances and certifications for the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro:

• FDA Cleared: More than just a rubber-stamp approval, FDA clearance classifies a device as a Class II medical device, which means it’s passed a rigorous review of technical, safety and performance data, deeming it safe and reliable for regular use.
• IEC Safety Tested: Compliant with the International Electrotechnical Commission’s standards for electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility and most importantly, photobiological safety (aka: Light output safety for our skin and eyes).
• FCC Compliant: Tested and certified to comply with FCC rules regarding electromagnetic interference and radiofrequency emissions, meaning the device is safe to use at home and won’t interfere with other electronic equipment. 
• RoHS Certified: Ensures the device is compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances standards, which means it’s manufactured without, or within strict limits of, harmful materials like lead, mercury and cadmium. 
• CA Prop 65: Compliant with California Proposition 65, which requires manufacturers to warn California consumers if their products expose users to chemicals known to have harmful exposure effects.
• CE Marking: Meets European Conformity requirements for health, safety and environmental protection standards for products being sold in the European Economic Area (EEA).
• UKCA: Similar to CE Marking, this certification assures compliance with UK Conformity Assessed requirements, ensuring the device meets the safety, health and environmental protection requirements for products being sold in Great Britain. 

Technical Specifications

For those who prefer to skip straight to the recap, here’s a TL;DR version of the Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro’s top tech specs:

• LED Type: Red, near-infrared, amber and deep red
• Wavelengths: 630nm (red), 830nm (near-infrared), 605nm (amber) and 660nm (deep red)
• Number of LEDs: 160 dual-core LEDs (320 total)
• Irradiance: 65 mw/cm2 
• Targeted Use: Face
• Certifications: FDA-cleared, IEC safety tested, FCC, RoHs, CA Prop 65, CE, UKCA
• Warranty: 1 year 
• In the Box: Wrinkle Retreat Pro light therapy mask, protective goggles, adjustable head straps, remote, charging cable, storage bag, quick start guide, instruction manual

Price & Availability

The Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro is available online and through select retailers, including Ulta, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

The regular price on the Solawave website at the time of this writing is $499. But don’t let that deter you, because you can often find impressive deals. At the time we were researching this article, the Wrinkle Retreat Pro had a listed sale price of $399—and better yet, a buy one, get one free offer. That makes it less than $200 per device. Split the bill with a friend or gift one to your favorite skincare-obsessed family member so you can get your glow on together. If you’re considering a purchase, it’s worth keeping an eye out for sales and deals like this to save big.

Additionally, if you purchase directly from Solawave, you have the option to pay with an HSA or FSA account, or apply for financing with Affirm to spread your payments out over multiple months.

Compare Top Brands

With a huge selection of red light therapy masks on the market, from thrifty to spendy, it can be hard to figure out what’s included at which price point, and which features you actually need. Here’s a side-by-side comparison to help guide your decision:

Bottom Line: Why We Love It

There’s no getting around it: The Solawave Wrinkle Retreat Pro is an excellent device. It’s feature-heavy and delivers results in just three minutes a day, making this a great option for those who are just getting into skincare or those of us who are just plain busy. Four effective wavelengths and a high irradiance penetrate the skin to provide targeted benefits. It’s safe, effective and easy to use, and the price point is competitive, especially if you can catch a deal like their buy one, get one free event. It’s a great balance of value for the money, and a solid choice for your short list if you’re looking to upgrade your skincare routine.