Red light therapy has exploded into a billion-dollar industry, with LED masks and panels promising everything from smoother skin to reduced inflammation. But according to Bill Wiedemann, founder of Lumara Systems, most of these products simply don’t work.
“When I measured the optical power of one of the top three companies and compared it to what I could engineer, my first product delivered more than ten times the optical power,” Wiedemann says. “Their device was putting out a mere 2 mW/cm², while proper engineering could achieve 25 mW/cm².”
A veteran engineer with 36 years in venture capital–backed companies, Wiedemann entered the wellness space in 2016 with fresh eyes and rigorous skepticism. What he found was an industry selling underpowered devices at inflated prices. “I am upset that the vast majority of red light products that are shipped do nothing,” he says. “That’s not just a business complaint—it’s a moral imperative that drives everything we do.”
Lumara’s flagship product, the VISO mask, reflects that ethos. Unlike competitors’ devices that deliver only 5% to 15% coverage, VISO provides 100% uniform coverage across the face with tightly spaced 660 nm LEDs—the most clinically validated wavelength for skin rejuvenation. At 20 mW/cm², it comes close to the performance of Lumara’s professional clinical panels.
What truly sets Lumara apart is transparency. “Optical power is everything,” Wiedemann says. “If a company won’t tell you their power density, that’s a red flag. Real therapeutic devices should deliver meaningful power, not just pretty lights.”
The results have been striking. Wiedemann developed a “five-day test” to prove the mask’s effectiveness. Users treat one side of the face in contact with the mask for five days, leaving the other slightly off the surface. “By Friday, you can literally see the difference. That visible, measurable result is what makes people believers,” he says.
Clinics have also taken notice. One medical center now sells 100 masks per month to patients. “When medical professionals who use our 25 mW/cm² panels choose to offer VISO for home use, that’s validation,” Wiedemann notes.
Looking to the future, he sees a clear divide emerging. “The current market built on ineffective devices can’t sustain itself once consumers become educated. In 5 to 10 years, we’ll see devices that achieve true clinical-grade results at home, with power densities and coverage that rival professional treatments,” he predicts.
From reversing blindness to treating nerve pain, the broader applications of red light therapy are only beginning to surface. But Wiedemann insists the industry must focus on effectiveness, not gimmicks. “Our vision remains consistent: lower cost, better effectiveness, and more applications,” he says. “In the end, science and engineering will win.”
