LED face masks · head to head
Two of the nine LED face masks in our comparison table, side by side. Every figure below is one the manufacturer publishes itself; where a brand stays silent the cell says so.
Side by side
| Specification | Shark CryoGlow (FW312) | Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelengths | 415 nm630 nm830 nm | 415 nm633 nm830 nm |
| LED count | 160+ (multi-zone) | 504 |
| Published irradiance | Not published | Not published |
| Session | 8 min | 12 min |
| Modes | 3 targeted programmes + under-eye cooling | 3 wavelengths + vibration |
| Regulatory | FDA cleared · CE/UKCA | FDA cleared · CE |
| Fit | Rigid, multi-zone | Semi-rigid, cordless |
| Power | Corded USB-C (cooling needs power) | Cordless rechargeable |
“Published irradiance” means the brand prints an output figure on its own product page. “FDA cleared” is not “FDA approved” — see the questions below.
Where they differ
Evidence notes
The Shark CryoGlow (FW312) uses 160+ (multi-zone) LEDs at 415 nm, 630 nm, 830 nm, in sessions of 8 min.
Two disclosed brand-run 12-week studies — more published data than most rivals here. The under-eye cooling is a comfort feature, not a light mechanism.
The Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo uses 504 LEDs at 415 nm, 633 nm, 830 nm, in sessions of 12 min.
Cites a 104-subject study, the largest the brand claims in the category — brand-run. The vibration is a comfort extra, not a skin mechanism.
Questions
The Shark CryoGlow (FW312) emits at 415 nm, 630 nm, 830 nm. The Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo emits at 415 nm, 633 nm, 830 nm. Both cover red and near-infrared, the two ranges with the strongest published evidence for skin.
Neither brand publishes an irradiance figure, so the dose the two masks deliver cannot be compared from the specification sheets.
The Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo carries more diodes: 504 against 160. Diode count sets how evenly light reaches the face — a coverage figure, not an efficacy figure.
Shark CryoGlow (FW312): FDA cleared · CE/UKCA. Therabody TheraFace Mask Glo: FDA cleared · CE. Clearance under section 510(k) means the manufacturer showed substantial equivalence to a device already on the market and met safety standards — it is not FDA approval, and it is not evidence of efficacy.