Lumaflex Essential Review: A Flexible, Waterproof RLT Device
Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, has been recognized for its potential benefits in improving skin health, reducing inflammation, enhancing muscle recovery, and promoting hair growth. Since the plethora of research has emerged, there have been a lot of companies that have taken advantage of these benefits. So, as a consumer, the question was now. What’s the best device I can find that is also the most affordable?
One that crept up on my radar recently was a device called “The Essential” by Lumaflex. At first, it looked like a red light device I already own, but then I found out it has two features I haven’t seen in a device: it’s waterproof and flexible.
So, I got one.
In this review, I’ll break down whether these features truly make a difference, how it compares to other devices, and whether it’s worth your investment.
The Lumaflex Essential
Durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance & Function: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The TLDR
The Lumaflex Essential is a flexible, wearable red light therapy device designed for targeted pain relief, muscle recovery, and skin health. The benefits of red light, however, extend to many different areas including cognition, cellular health, hair growth, improved sleep, and even alleviating headaches and migraines). What makes this device stands apart from the others is that it is FDA-approved, waterproof and flexible. With red (630nm) and near-infrared (850nm) light, it penetrates both the surface and deep tissues for cellular repair and reduced inflammation. While it’s not the cheapest option at $399, it comes with a 2-year warranty and a 30-day risk-free trial to ensure it's the right fit. If you want hands-free, non-invasive red light therapy that’s portable, high-quality, and flexible enough to wrap around different muscles groups and stay strapped there then the Lumaflex Essential is worth considering.
What is The Essential by Lumaflex?
The Lumaflex Essential is a flexible, wearable red light therapy device designed to enhance overall wellness. It combines red (630nm) and near-infrared (850nm) wavelengths to target both superficial skin concerns and deep-tissue health, making it versatile for various therapeutic applications.
From The Manufacturer
Introducing the Lumaflex Essential - 100% flexible wearable red light therapy body wrap. Unlock your body's full potential and achieve peak performance. By using red and infrared light therapy, this device delivers exceptional healing results and elevates your wellness in every aspect.
Supercharge your body.
Pain relief.
Back & joint pain management.
Boost energy levels.
Accelerate injury recovery.
Natural non-invasive healing.
FDA cleared class ii medical device.
Supports muscle growth.
Natural all-in-one solution.
Speedy on-the-go 10-minute treatments.
The quintessence of recovery and rejuvenation.
Experience the transformation with the Lumaflex Essential, a targeted red light therapy wrap designed to empower your health journey. Unlock your full potential with this device, helping you relieve pain, enhance performance, and boost vitality. Whether targeting discomfort or peak wellness, the Lumaflex Essential elevates your life to new heights.
Award-Winning Innovation
Recognized as one of Time Magazine's Best Inventions of 2023, Lumaflex leads the red light therapy revolution with our innovative wearable design. Our dedication to enhancing your wellness has earned prestigious awards, including the Fast Company Innovation by Design Award, ISPO Award, LifeSpan Certification, American Good Design Award, and MUSE Healthcare Design Award.
Featuring two adjustable straps, our targeted red light therapy wrap seamlessly fits your body, delivering soothing relief exactly where you need it. Experience the difference of professional-grade red light therapy in a comfortable, easy-to-use design that incorporates into your daily routine.
Selling Points
Flexible Design: The wrap bends and moves with your body, so you can easily use it on different areas without awkward positioning.
Waterproof: Built to handle sweat, spills, and even post-shower use, making it more versatile than most red light therapy devices.
FDA-Cleared and Non-Invasive: Backed by research, this FDA-cleared device provides a drug-free way to support recovery and reduce pain. Lumaflex: “The Lumaflex Essential is the world's First FDA-cleared portable and flexible red light therapy wrap.”
Battery: Runs on a rechargeable battery, so you’re not stuck next to an outlet while using it. I’ve found that the battery also lasts a long time.
Uses Red and Infrared Light: Combines red light (630nm) for surface-level benefits (like skin and inflammation) with near-infrared (850nm) to reach deeper tissues (for muscle and joint recovery).
Lumaflex Foundations Course: If you take their online course and pass their quiz, you get 20% off.
Warranty: Comes with a 2-year warranty.
Drawbacks
Pricing: Like most quality red light therapy devices, it’s not cheap—but it comes with a 2-year warranty and a 30-day trial to make sure it’s a good fit.
Auto Shut Off: The device automatically turns off after 10 minutes of use. This is great from a battery-saving perspective but annoying when I want to go for a longer duration. I now use it as a prompt to change locations.
Who/What Do I Recommend It For?
Red Light Therapy (Generally)
When it comes to red light therapy, I recommend it for those seeking a non-invasive method to manage conditions and issues such as improving skin health, alleviating headaches and migraines, enhancing muscle recovery, managing pain, promoting wound healing and skin health, boosting cellular health, stimulating hair growth, regulating sleep patterns, supporting thyroid function, and improving cognitive function.
Check out this article to dive into the research and further benefits of each of these.
The Lumaflex Essential
When it comes to the Lumaflex Essential, I recommend it for those who want targeted red light therapy without having to hold the device in place. Its flexible, wearable design allows you to move freely while still getting effective treatment and hitting those specific and contoured areas (e.g. the neck, quads, calves, back, etc.). The biggest standout feature? It’s waterproof, making it a solid choice for anyone who wants to use it while sweating—whether in a sauna, post-workout, or even on a hot day. Unlike my Bon Charge device, it’s also built to last, so if you’re a bit rough on your gear or plan to travel with it, you won’t have to worry about it getting damaged.
Lumaflex Essential vs. Lumaflex Body Pro
If you’re trying to decide between the Lumaflex Essential and the Lumaflex Body Pro, here’s the deal: both deliver red light therapy, but they’re built for different people. The Essential is a great all-around choice—it’s flexible, waterproof, and super easy to use. Just strap it on, let it do its thing for 10 minutes, and go about your day. It’s also more affordable, so if you’re just getting into red light therapy or want something for occasional use, it’s a solid pick.
The Body Pro, on the other hand, steps things up. It’s got Bluetooth connectivity, a longer-lasting battery, and more power for deeper penetration. Plus, the app lets you customize sessions, which is a nice touch if you like to tweak things.
If you’re just looking for an easy, reliable red light device, the Essential is probably all you need. But if you train hard, recover often, and want a high-performance tool, the Body Pro might be worth the extra investment.
Tips
Consistency is Key: Get into a habit of using it regularly for the best results.
Here are some ideas for issues to use it with:
Achy joints
Skin issues (scars, cuts, acne, wounds, etc.)
Sore muscles post-workout
Tight areas pre-workout (it gets warm so I use it on my legs and back before my early workouts)
Target Specific Areas: Take advantage of the wrappable feature and put it around the calves, quads and hamstrings, low back, upper back, abs, chest, shoulders, and neck.
Use it as a recovery tool after a tough upper body workout.
Pre-workout warm up tool.
My Experience
Using it to heal scratches from cutting a tree down.
Before I got the Lumaflex Essential, took the course by Lumaflex online. It was pretty interesting but it’s definitely not necessary and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you want to geek.
Since getting the Essential, I’ve used it significantly more than I’ve used red light in the past, mostly because it’s easy to wrap the velcro straps around different parts of my body and multitask. Here are some examples of ways I use it:
Around my back and/or legs while I blog and sip some coffee before starting my morning workout.
On my face, chest, and neck (each separately) while using my sauna blanket.
On my hands over the course of a couple of days when I was doing too much typing and creeping up on some tendinitis.
Over my glutes a couple of days after a particularly tough workout where I had some serious soreness.
On my left leg (pictured above) to help heal scratches I got while chopping trees down.
On the top of my head where I’m losing hair.
The short-term effects are the warmth but red light therapy is mostly a long-term effects kind of game. My muscles heal faster post-workout, it curbs the overuse I get in my hands after typing for too long, and my skin looks and feels smoother. I’ve even noticed that the scar on my foot from an ax-chopping incident while camping years ago has significantly improved. The only area I have not explored is hair growth. While I’ve put it on top of my head and looked….well… interesting….I haven’t used it consistently enough to see any results. More to come on that front.
While the experiments keep on coming, I plan to use it when I inevitably get sunburn, on a scar my son has on his leg so that it doesn’t restrict any growth or joint movement, and when healing from any future surgeries.
This device is like an all-purpose tool and I love that it’s durable, flexible, and powerful. While the investment is considerable, the convenience and benefits make it an instant game-changer for my health.
FAQ
What is the Lumaflex Essential?
The Lumaflex Essential is a flexible, wearable red light therapy device designed to enhance wellness by delivering targeted red and near-infrared light to specific areas of the body.
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy uses specific wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin to stimulate cellular activity, promoting healing, reducing inflammation, and enhancing overall cellular function.
How often should I use the Lumaflex Essential?
For optimal results, it's recommended to use the device consistently, ideally 3 to 5 times per week for 10 to 20 minutes each session.
Is the Lumaflex Essential safe to use at home?
Yes, the Lumaflex Essential is designed for safe at-home use. However, it's advisable to follow the manufacturer's guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any underlying health conditions.
Do I need to wear eye protection during sessions?
While the device is safe for use, wearing protective eyewear is recommended to prevent potential eye discomfort during sessions.
Is the Lumaflex Essential waterproof?
Yes, the device is both waterproof and sweatproof, making it suitable for use during workouts or in humid environments.
What is the warranty and trial period for the Lumaflex Essential?
The Lumaflex Essential comes with a 2-year warranty and a 30-day risk-free trial, allowing users to evaluate its benefits.
Where can I purchase the Lumaflex Essential?
The device is available for purchase on the official Lumaflex website and select authorized retailers.
Consult a Doctor
Consulting a doctor before using red light therapy is crucial, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions. Certain medications, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and some medical conditions may require caution.
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