The 6 Best High Frequency Skincare Wands to Add to Your Routine

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The best high-frequency wands, along with light therapy and sculpting microcurrent devices, make it easy to fight acne and minimize fine lines from the comfort of home.

Once exclusively reserved for dermatologists and aestheticians’ offices, these small but mighty tools are best known for fast and effective results that can take your everyday skincare routine to the next level. “High-frequency devices and methods are often used as an adjunct to topical and oral acne treatments,” Omer Ibrahim, a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology tells Bazaar. These professional-level wands use current-delivering argon gas-filled electrodes that are only released upon interaction with the skin. “That argon gas releases oxygen which destroys bacteria, helps regulate sebum production, and unclogs pores,” Ibrahim explains.

Some other benefits of regularly using one of the best high-frequency devices include boosting skin's oxygen levels, increasing its overall circulation, and helping to calm inflammation. Ibrahim notes that these wands should not be your primary acne treatment, but instead, considered bonus spot treatments in your efforts towards clearer, healthier skin.

After consulting with experts about key features to look for in some of the top high-frequency tools, Bazaar editors sifted through five-star customer reviews, noted viral beauty hits, and considered our own testing insights to round up the following list of top selects from StackedSkincare, Skin Gym, and more.

Related: The Best Cold Laser Therapy Devices to Use at Home

NuDerma Professional Skin Therapy Wand

Board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman recommends this does-it-all wand for those dealing with acne- or age-related skin issues. She suggests using the tool once a week to help kill bacteria, limit inflammation, and suppress breakouts as a preventative approach to clear skin.

Number of included attachments: Six

One satisfied customer writes: "This is a must-have beauty tool! Your skin will be transformed as you use it, regularly! Troubled skin? This will aid in a quicker recovery…it’s a must-purchase/try beauty tool!" —Karen

High Frequency Wand for Acne

Ibrahim recommends this popular device specifically for acne-prone skin which not only prevents new breakouts from forming but can also even reduce the appearance of scars.

Each included attachment—from the tool's pointy electrode to its mushroom electrode—makes it a breeze to target specific areas of the face. "The ‘pointy electrode’ is great for deeper cystic pimples; the ‘mushroom’ works for larger areas on your face, like your cheeks and forehead; and the ‘spoon’ is great for the under-eye area to help de-puff," Ibrahim notes.

Number of included attachments: Four

One satisfied customer writes: "This had been an absolute game changer for my chin acne. I’ve spent decades and $$$ on dermatologists, facials, topical treatments, and oral medications but it turns out all I needed was this machine. I did try an early version of a zit zapper- it did nothing compared to this." —Kristin Z.

High-Frequency Wand

This Instagram-famous wand is said to work wonders to flatten stubborn pimples. “It is a great device that is especially effective on acne-prone skin and persistent blemishes,” board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman says. “High-frequency tools feel like a subtle tingling or zapping on the skin, but nothing painful or uncomfortable. Some people even say that this feeling is soothing and revitalizing.”

Number of included attachments: Three

One satisfied customer writes: "It may actually work stronger than at the spa, and it hits the spots very well. Love high-frequency machines to clean my skin of bacteria and acne. I say a very good buy and saves money by not having to go to the spa regularly." — ProductJunkie01

Facial Wand Machine

With four different attachment heads included, Jaliman often recommends this wand to her clients as it's inexpensive and still gets the job done well. And as the no-frills tool is easy to use, it's great for those new to using skincare devices.

Number of included attachments: Four

One satisfied customer writes: "If you want a product that works get this. You must be willing to use it regularly for the best results. It has really changed my skin." —Emily

High Frequency Facial Wand

Here's another option from Ibrahim's best high-frequency devices list. This device features four attachment heads with orange and violet light to treat acne and smooth fine lines. Ibrahim advises that this high-frequency wand should only be used for the occasional pimple or cyst, not chronic acne.

Number of included attachments: Four

One satisfied customer writes: "The wand and the attachments are easy to use, and the zapping sound makes you feel like the bacteria is getting eliminated from your pores. I’ve been using it for a full two weeks now and can tell a difference. My skin looks brighter and feels tightened on the areas I went in a circular motion." —Foodie Anonymous

Diamond High Frequency Therapy Wand (Argon + Neon)

Although this argon and neon gas tool is a bit pricier than other options on this list, it emits a voltage closest to what you might find at your local dermatologist's office. As a bonus to its skin-perfecting benefits, the device's comb attachment can also be used on the scalp to improve hair growth and thickness.

Number of included attachments: Four

One satisfied customer writes: "Wow. I was skeptical, but I am so happy I took a chance and bought this. There is seriously a noticeable difference in my skin after only two uses!!!! I LOVE this and am so happy I tried it. My skin looks firmer and feels more smooth. I am pretty shocked at how quickly I saw an improvement in my skin." —Jenna G.

Meet the Experts

• Dr. Omer Ibrahim is a board-certified dermatologist at Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

• Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified celebrity dermatologist based in New York City.

• Dr. Debra Jaliman is a board-certified dermatologist and author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist

• Renee Rouleau is a renowned celebrity esthetician with a namesake brand of cult-favorite products.

How do you use a high-frequency wand for skin?

The importance of using one of the best high-frequency wands correctly cannot be understated. Professionals recommend first lightly hovering your tool of choice over the skin for two to three minutes at a time once a day, and later increasing usage as needed. Afterward, Engelman recommends keeping the skin hydrated by applying moisturizer, avoiding over-drying it, and drinking plenty of water.

"If you can, bypass makeup or additional skin treatments since the skin can be red and sensitive." Even though high-frequency wands are safe, Jaliman cautions anyone with melasma or rosacea to avoid them. “They emit a small amount of ultraviolet light that stimulates melanocytes, which produce pigment and lead to hyperpigmentation,” she explains. “Rosacea is also triggered by UV light.”

What is high-frequency energy?

High-frequency wands deliver gentle, nonintrusive electrical currents, creating ozone, which kills acne-causing bacteria and firms the skin. "The main source of energy in high-frequency wands and devices is argon or neon gas electrodes that increase oxygen (an enriched form of oxygen), which increases blood circulation," Engelman adds.

Ozone is known as a powerful antibacterial and antiseptic. "This benefits the skin, as bacteria cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment, and the high frequency helps to eliminate these bacteria-infested blemishes," notes celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau.

What are the benefits of high-frequency wands for skin?

Fans of high-frequency wands praise them for their ability to shrink nasty pimples—fast. The oxygen emitted from argon gas reduces pesky pimples by killing acne-causing bacteria. Engelman says argon gas is also effective for preventing future breakouts. “It can have a drying effect to treat oily skin, too," she notes.

Orange-red neon gas is most beneficial for skin-smoothing purposes, like reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “The increase in oxygen to the skin that high-frequency tools produce is due to the oscillating action of the tool, which increases blood circulation to produce an enriched form of oxygen, which has a multitude of benefits, including nourishing and renewing the skin and aiding in circulation and cell turnover, which helps to smooth and tighten the skin,” Engelman says.

How often can you use high-frequency wands at home?

At-home high-frequency wands are gentle enough to use daily (or as needed) for a few minutes. As long as the wand is used safely and the energy isn’t too high, there’s no need to worry about burning the skin. The device will create a buzzing sound (it’s nothing to worry about) that’s reminiscent of a bug zapper from summer camp.

Sometimes, after treating the skin, it can be red and sensitive. The key to getting the most out of a high-frequency tool at home is to hold it about one-quarter inch from the skin—the further away the device is, the longer the runway for the electrodes to travel, which allows them to penetrate more deeply.

Improvement in acne can be seen as quickly as a few hours after, while it can take a few months of consistent use to see changes to the quality of the skin.

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