LYMA Laser vs NIRA Lasers: The Differences Between These At-Home Lasers

As we age, several changes naturally take place including decreased collagen and elastin production - resulting in visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, uneven skin tone, and slower cell turnover.

Thankfully, in the pursuit of youthful and rejuvenated skin, various laser therapies have gained popularity as effective at-home anti-aging treatments. Among these are two prominent options: The LYMA Laser, which uses a combination of LED and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), and the NIRA Laser, which uses Non-Fractional Laser Therapy. If you're considering incorporating laser technology into your skincare routine, it's important to understand the differences between these treatments.

In this article, we compare two leading options—NIRA’s new generation of lasers and the LYMA Laser lineup to help you choose the best at-home laser solution for your skincare goals.

NIRA vs. LYMA Lasers: A Quick Comparison

With several FDA-cleared and clinically proven options now available, it’s important to choose a skincare laser that fits your goals, budget, and lifestyle. Here’s how the most current NIRA and LYMA laser devices compare:

Understanding The Technology Behind The LYMA Laser

The LYMA Laser is a new at-home skincare device that has been accompanied by many bold, inaccurate claims around both their technology and the results that their device provides. Many of their claims stand unbacked by any studies or accuracy. For example, according to their website they are “America's first clinic-grade cosmetic device to be awarded FDA clearance for home use” (a list of cosmetic devices awarded FDA Clearance include NIRA, NuFace, NEWA, etc.) along with claims about being the most powerful at-home skincare device, and being able to treat more skin conditions than any device on the market. All of these claims are inaccurate or unproven. 

LYMA combines LED technology and Low-Level Laser (light) Therapy (LLLT) in one handheld device with an intent to stimulate the skin's cellular processes. LYMA operates at a 62.5 mW/cm2 power at a 620 nm and 808 nm wavelength, which penetrates not only the deepest layers of the skin, but also the fat and muscle tissue underneath. This means the energy has minimal absorption in the dermis where collagen and elastin cells are located, and has little to no impact on skin regeneration. 

In 2024, LYMA introduced the LYMA Laser PRO ($5,995), which triples the power of the original model and offers a larger 30 cm² treatment lens. However, it still relies on LLLT technology, and no peer-reviewed clinical trials have been published validating its claims. In contrast, NIRA’s study included 76 participants in a blinded, independent trial.

LYMA also claims that their laser promotes collagen production, accelerates cell turnover, and enhances circulation, thereby promoting skin rejuvenation and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The only evidence of these claims being accurate is solely based on self-reported results by customers, which is often biased. Rather than conducting independent clinical studies to prove effectiveness, LYMA’s FDA-Clearance was based upon being substantially equivalent to the Trinity Wrinkle Remover and the Lightstim for Wrinkles. According to current scientific research, there is no known clinical evidence supporting cosmetic or health benefits from LLLT treatments that deliver at a wavelength of 808 nm, 620 nm, or both.

Other Drawbacks of The LYMA Laser

Although the LYMA Laser is pain and redness-free, effective for all skin tones, and requires no messy primers or gels, it is still paired with some major inconveniences. The LYMA Laser is accompanied by long treatment times. For example, to treat your whole face it takes about one hour  (~3 minutes per section of skin). If you are hoping to treat larger areas like your neck, chest, or back of hands, the treatment will take 2+ hours per day. In contrast, NIRA Pro+ treatments takes no longer than 5 minutes to treat those same areas. 

While LYMA is sleek and pain-free, the time investment and cost may not fit all routines or budgets.  The LYMA Laser retails for $2,695, and the LYMA Laser PRO—offering triple the power and a 30 cm² treatment lens costs $5,995. LYMA does not offer any money back guarantee if you don’t see results.

Understanding Non-Fractional Laser Therapy

Non-fractional laser therapy is an intensive laser treatment that stimulates collagen production and promotes natural skin rejuvenation without damaging or removing the outer layer of the skin. Non-fractional laser devices, such as the FDA-cleared NIRA at-home lasers, deliver targeted thermal energy to the deeper layers of the skin, including the dermis where the skin’s collagen and elastin cells are located.

The gentle heat emitted from these non-fractional, high-energy, laser devices stimulate collagen synthesis, improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles, and tighten skin without pain, redness, or downtime. Non-fractional laser therapy is commonly used to address more severe signs of aging, such as deep wrinkles, scars, and hyperpigmentation. By harnessing the power of laser energy without damaging the skin, non-fractional laser technology provides a non-invasive alternative for wrinkle reduction at home without any side effects.

About NIRA Lasers

The NIRA lasers are the only at-home devices that use 100% non-fractional laser technology. Using the same laser chip as professional Dermatology systems, the NIRA at-home laser devices are FDA-cleared and clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles in just minutes a day. In order to achieve FDA-Clearance, NIRA was clinically tested on 76 individuals of all genders in an independent, blinded study overseen by three medical experts to prove that the NIRA lasers rebuild collagen, renew the skin, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles when used consecutively for 90 days. See NIRA Before and After Results from real customers. This clinical study also proves that results from using the NIRA lasers are long-lasting, and will maintain for 2 to 3 months without continued treatments.

NIRA’s patented non-fractional, non-ablative laser technology works by gently heating the dermis to stimulate natural collagen production - revealing firmer, youthful looking skin in 90 days. With five comfort levels able to adjust to your skin’s sensitivity, the NIRA lasers make it possible to achieve clinical-grade wrinkle reduction in the comfort of your home and without pain, redness, or downtime. Operating at an optimal 1450 nm wavelength, NIRA warms the skin above 39C where the dermis generates heat shock proteins to promote collagen production and skin renewal.

By comparison, the LYMA Laser never reaches this temperature to provide this benefit. NIRA’s laser wavelength absorbs in the dermis 100x better than the LYMA Laser does and delivers 2x the energy, allowing for maximum signaling for collagen and elastin cells to rebuild. Treatments with the NIRA lasers are on average about 2 to 5 minutes long, 225x faster than the LYMA Laser. 

NIRA Laser Options

• NIRA Precision ($449): targets small areas like crow’s feet, smile lines, and under-eye wrinkles.
• NIRA Pro ($599): designed for treating full-face areas, neck, chest, and hands.
• NIRA Pro+ ($649): 50% more power and 35% faster treatment time; also features app connectivity for progress tracking and rewards.

LYMA Laser Options

• LYMA Laser ($2,695): Combines LED and LLLT at 620nm and 808nm wavelengths. Marketed as a painless solution for wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. Suitable for daily use but requires ~60 minutes to treat full-face areas. Lacks peer-reviewed clinical studies.
• LYMA Laser PRO ($5,995): Triples the power of the original LYMA Laser and increases the treatment lens to 30 cm² for faster results. Maintains the same LLLT technology and still relies on customer-reported results rather than independent clinical trials.

LYMA vs. NIRA: The Verdict

Treatment Time: NIRA lasers treat skin in <5 minutes; LYMA treatments take 30–120 minutes per session.

Results: LYMA Laser results are customer-reported and unproven. In contrast, the NIRA laser has proven results from a blinded clinical study.

Price:  NIRA Precision, Pro, and Pro+ combined cost less than one LYMA Laser.

Money-Back Guarantee: NIRA offers a 90-day money-back guarantee. LYMA does not.

It can be confusing to navigate all the different claims and results showcased by beauty device companies. Remember, it is always important to do your own research into their clinical studies and technology. By understanding the differences between these treatments and consulting with a skincare professional, you can make an informed decision and select the best option to best fit your lifestyle and achieve your desired results. 

Frequently Asked Questions: NIRA vs. LYMA

What are the key differences between the LYMA Laser and the NIRA Laser?

The NIRA Laser uses patented non-fractional, non-ablative laser technology, clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by stimulating collagen production deep within the dermis. LYMA combines LED and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), which doesn’t penetrate the skin as deeply, resulting in less effective results for skin rejuvenation. NIRA also delivers quicker results and requires shorter treatment times (2-5 minutes per session), whereas LYMA treatments can take up to 1-2 hours.

Which laser is more cost-effective for at-home skin treatment?

NIRA is significantly more cost-effective than the LYMA Laser. NIRA’s laser devices are available for under $1,000, while the LYMA Laser retails for $2,695-$5,995. Additionally, NIRA offers a 90-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the device risk-free, something LYMA does not offer. When factoring in price, treatment time, and proven effectiveness, NIRA provides a better return on investment for at-home skin treatment.

How is LYMA Laser technology different from the NIRA Laser?

LYMA uses a combination of LED light and LLLT, which delivers minimal energy to the skin’s deeper layers, where collagen production occurs. This results in a less effective treatment for wrinkles and skin regeneration. NIRA, on the other hand, uses true non-fractional laser technology, delivering targeted thermal energy deep into the dermis at an optimal wavelength (1450 nm), stimulating collagen production to reduce wrinkles effectively. NIRA’s laser technology is 200x more powerful than LED-based devices like LYMA.

Is NIRA the best alternative to the LYMA Laser?

Yes, NIRA is considered the best alternative to LYMA. NIRA’s clinically tested technology offers faster results, shorter treatment times, and greater affordability. NIRA's non-fractional laser technology is FDA-cleared, safe for all skin tones, and delivers professional-grade results without pain or downtime. With NIRA, you get effective, long-lasting results in the comfort of your home, backed by a money-back guarantee.

Which laser is the best for overall wrinkle reduction?

NIRA is the superior choice for wrinkle reduction. While LYMA has customer-reported results with no clinical backing, NIRA is clinically proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles through non-fractional laser therapy. In an independent study, 7 out of 10 users reported long-lasting wrinkle reduction benefits for up to three months after treatment. 

Are there any clinical studies backing the effectiveness of these lasers?

Yes, NIRA’s laser technology is backed by a clinical study conducted by New England Dermatology Associates involving 76 individuals of all genders. The study showed that using the NIRA Laser for just 2 minutes a day over 90 days led to significant wrinkle reduction with no side effects, even on darker skin tones. As for LYMA, its laser technology lacks independent clinical backing.