Sleek sex toy brand LELO is riding the red light therapy craze with the Mona Spectra, a "red light intimate wellness massager."
In dermatology, red light therapy has been studied for uses like skin rejuvenation, acne, hair growth, and wound healing, dermatologist Shoshana Marmon told Mashable over email. Marmon is an assistant professor of dermatology and director of clinical research at New York Medical College and chair of the American Academy of Dermatology's (AAD) Menopause and Women’s Health in Dermatology within AAD's Division of Science and Quality.
She wrote, "Some studies are promising, particularly for modest improvements in wrinkles and collagen production, but the results depend on the wavelength, dose, and device being used."
You've probably seen red light in the form of masks that take up someone's whole face. There are also wands and panels on the market — and now, vibrators.
The Mona Spectra is an internal toy meant to stimulate the G-spot (an area inside the vagina part of the clitorial network known to cause intense orgasms if triggered a certain way), and it's the latest addition to LELO's Mona line of G-spot vibrators. But it's the first to include red light in the wand, which, according to the product page, "stimulates collagen and elastin production, supports tissue elasticity, natural lubrication and sensitivity."
The LED light also emits thermal energy, which helps increase blood flow, the page states. "The result is a gentle yet powerful activation of your body's own renewal processes, which enhance both intimate wellness and sensation from within."
(The product can also emit blue light, which LELO states has an anti-inflammatory function, and green light, which the company states has a calming effect on the skin and may help with hyperpigmentation.)
Regarding red light, Marmon wrote that LELO's claims seem to go beyond what has been studied. The limited vaginal research has involved postmenopausal women with a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause or GSM, which is a condition caused by declining estrogen. GSM can lead to vaginal dryness, burning, pain with sex, and urinary symptoms, Marmon wrote.
"A few studies suggest that red-light therapy may improve some GSM symptoms or measurements of vaginal health," Marmon wrote. "However, most studies have been small, lacked a placebo group or focused on urinary incontinence. The research has not established that red light improves sexual sensitivity, and it has not been meaningfully studied in healthy women without GSM."
There's limited research on red light therapy in this area, and there's no strong evidence that a toy like the Mona Spectra improves lubrication, tissue elasticity, or sexual sensitivity.
LELO, meanwhile, told Mashable that the efficacy of red light technology is supported by a substantial body of well-documented scientific research. "Although evidence regarding its utility for chronic pain management and athletic recovery remains inconclusive or mixed, empirical data substantiates its application in several key areas," the company said, including specific wavelengths and near-infrared light that stimulate the production of collagen and fibroblasts (which makes collagen).
Like Marmon, LELO also acknowledged that research suggests red light therapy helps with acne and hair loss.
LELO clarified that the Mona Spectra isn't a medical device, and no medical claims have been made. The toy's development is based on the research from reputable institutions, the company's internal research and development department, and comprehensive testing throughout all primary phases of product engineering.
This was all done to ensure product safety — and, according to the AAD, red light therapy use is safe in the short term.
The company is overseeing customer experience through studies, such as one currently underway in Spain.
"Consequently, the LELO Mona Spectra is designed strictly as a wellness and pleasure device, integrating the advantages of red light technology to enhance intimate well-being via a non-hormonal, non-invasive methodology," LELO told Mashable.
The benefits of the Mona Spectra haven't been proven, Marmon said. But, like early adopters of red light therapy masks, there might be those out there who want to be the first to try it out. LELO's Mona Spectra is available on its website for $299.
