Dear Dr. Aaron,

My wife surprised me with an early Christmas present. A special red light therapy mask. While I truly appreciate her thoughtful gift, I’m pretty certain she was bamboozled, it is like a hockey mask with red Christmas lights in it. She insisted I try it. So while lying in bed, I put it on as she instructed, and it was ok for a minute or so. My wife thought some holiday music would be fun- jingle bells played and the lights on my therapy mask started flashing to the music. I laughed until I cried, my wife cried because I laughed. Do you know anything about this red light therapy?

Trying to relax in Osage Beach

First off… that is an absolutely fantastic story. I can picture it: lying in bed, Christmas-light hockey mask on, “Jingle Bells” syncing like a Clark Griswold medical experiment. That alone may have provided more therapy than the mask itself 😂

Now for the serious part — yes, red light therapy is a real thing, but NOT all devices are created equal.

✔️ What “real” red light therapy does

Most clinically studied devices use:

Red light wavelengths around 630–660nm

Near-infrared around 810–880nm

These wavelengths can:

Support skin health and collagen

Help with mild inflammation

Promote tissue healing

Sometimes help with joint discomfort and recovery

⚠️ The catch

Many consumer “gadget” masks:

Use random LEDs with no verified wavelength

Have very low power output, making them basically glorified Christmas decor

Are marketed with big promises and very little science

…and they definitely aren’t supposed to flash to “Jingle Bells” 🎄😂

🧠 Safety notes

Don’t stare directly into bright LEDs

Avoid use if you have seizure history, eye problems, are photosensitive, or take photosensitizing meds

If it overheats, buzzes, shocks, or looks like it belongs in a Halloween aisle → retire it 😆

Bottom line

Red light therapy can be beneficial when done correctly with medical-grade equipment and correct dosing…

…but the Christmas rave mask probably falls more in the “festive novelty” category than the “therapeutic healthcare device” category.

If you ever want to try real, clinically-based red light therapy, or want me to evaluate what you have, I’d be happy to help.

Until then, I prescribe:

Laughter (you already nailed that)

A supportive wife who cares (also nailed)

And maybe keep the mask for next year’s Christmas party entertainment 😂

Always here for you,

Dr. Aaron