These At-Home High-Frequency Wands Help Zap Away Skin Concerns

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The quest for clear, healthy skin can seem like a never-ending road full of fad-filled twists and skincare tool turns. While microcurrent devices and blackhead removers have a time and place, high-frequency wands may be what your skin has been missing. These advanced devices may seem a bit intimidating, but in reality, they are easy to use and backed by professionals to zap away imperfections and treat a variety of skincare concerns like acne, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Meet the experts: Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC; Sarah Akram, celebrity facialist and master esthetician

“High-frequency wands are one of the safest and most effective devices for at-home use,” explains Sarah Akram, celebrity facialist and master esthetician. “The technology involves an electrical current passing through an electrode, producing a red or violet light that triggers the production of enriched oxygen and mild heat.”

The electrode, or wand portion of the tool, is often filled with neon or argon gas, Akram continues. Argon gas electrodes can be helpful to those with oily and acne-prone skin as they help combat bacteria, while neon electrodes are suitable for those looking to address signs of aging.

Our top picks

“Some of the benefits of using a high-frequency wand include helping to reduce acne-causing bacteria to reduce breakouts, promoting blood circulation, increasing collagen and elastin production, encouraging lymphatic drainage, and enhancing penetration of skincare products,” adds Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC.

If you’re wondering how this technology may benefit you, browse the best expert-approved and editor-tested high-frequency tools below.

Clinical Skin Therapy Wand

This high-frequency wand from NuDerma offers a simple and effective way to treat a variety of skin concerns. It comes highly recommended by Akram “for its combination electrodes (Neon and Argon) and wand attachments.” It’s also a favorite of mine and has helped me manage my hormonal acne flare-ups.

User review: “I've been incorporating this treatment into my nightly routine two to three times per week when applying my toner/essence and my skin has improved drastically! My skin’s texture has almost completely smoothed out and my acne has significantly reduced as well as helps shorten the lifespan of my active breakouts. I’ve also noticed that the wrinkles on my neck are becoming less noticeable and even started to use it around my eyes to help with my fine lines. I am absolutely in love with this device and cannot stop singing its praises!” wrote one Amazon shopper.

High-Frequency Skin Therapy Wand

If you’re unsure about high-frequency or aren’t ready to dive in with a pricey device, this tool from Houzzi is the most affordable option on the list. And it comes with four different attachments that all contain a combination of argon and neon gas to address a variety of skin concerns at once. Plus, it has an overall rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon.

User review: “I’ve been using this daily after showering with my favorite serum and I have noticed my skin texture improving and fine lines aren’t as pronounced. I have also had the odd acne flare up and this 100% hands down makes a huge difference to blemishes. Literally the following day the spot looks like it’s on the way out. This alone makes this a worthwhile investment,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

High-Frequency Acne Device

“Specially designed for those with acne, this helps to reduce breakouts and inflammation. It offers a customizable dial with a targeted wand making it easy to use,” explains Dr. Garshick. Akram adds that this device is her “go-to recommendation for clients with persistent acne or hyperpigmentation.”

User review: “I really love this device. The results I’ve seen are incredible. I didn’t want to love it, but the first time I used it as treatment for my back and face I saw a reduction in the redness and size of my acne. I highly recommend this to anyone that suffers from acne,” one Stacked Skincare shopper wrote.

High-Frequency Wand

“This wand comes with three different electrodes including the spoon to help address the contours of the face, the dot point which targets pimples, and the mushroom which treats broader areas of the face,” explains Dr. Garshick. This device operates with neon gas, which Akram explains is best suited for those looking to target the visible signs of aging.

User review: “Oh my, this amazing tool works wonders. I absolutely adore this and would 100% recommend it to anyone interested. Thank you SkinGym,” one SkinGym shopper wrote.

Professional Skin Therapy Wand

Another pick from NuDerma, this option comes highly recommended by Dr. Garshick. “Containing both neon and argon tubes, this set can address various skincare concerns,” she explains. “It includes different shaped removable glass tips to address different concerns, including a comb for the scalp.”

User review: “I absolutely love this product! The argon attachments really help with the acne, especially cystic acne and hormonal acne that I get sometimes. The neon attachments have been helping with the fine lines and wrinkles around my eyes and forehead. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who is serious about skin care,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

High-Frequency Wand

For those who are looking for a tool with neon gas, this wand from NewWay has you covered. It comes with a total of four neon-powered attachments, including a comb tube for the scalp, a tongue tube for sensitive areas, a mushroom tube for large areas, and a bent tube for precision.

User review: “I usually get facials but with the quarantine I had to find another way to keep my skin healthy. This facial wand has a few different settings you can choose as well as a dial for how strong of a current you would like to use. I was able to target acne, wrinkles, large pores and even some older scars began to be less noticeable. I will continue to use this until the spas open up again so I can keep my face from aging to quickly,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

High-Frequency Facial Wand

This wand stands out from others on the list as it’s completely wireless and rechargeable, making it easy to use and travel with. It comes with three attachments: a comb for the hair, a mushroom tip for larger areas, and a bent tip for smaller areas. Plus, each electrode offers the benefits of both neon and argon, making this tool multifunctional and versatile.

User review: “This works exactly as my corded one but with a few ‘upgrades’ in my opinion. First, this one utilizes a push ‘safety’ button to start/stop the electric current. Another upgrade is the wireless feature,” one Amazon shopper wrote.

What are the benefits of a high-frequency wand?

“This technology is best used to fight acne and premature signs of aging,” Akram explains. “More specifically, high-frequency helps with skin texture and tone, and promotes collagen and elastin production which are critical in combating early signs of aging.”

Dr. Garshick adds that these tools also help promote blood circulation, encourage lymphatic drainage, and help skincare products absorb into the skin.

Can you use a high-frequency wand every day?

While high-frequency wands are suitable for everyday use, Akram says she always recommends “easing into using new at-home devices,” and suggests beginning with use every other day to see how your skin reacts.

How to choose the best high-frequency wand

✔️ Think about your skin concerns. If your primary concern is acne, Akram recommends looking for a wand with argon electrodes. If your primary concern is anti-aging, Akram recommends a wand with neon electrodes. “Some wands come with combination electrodes so you get the best of both worlds,” she adds.

✔️Consider the attachments. Both Dr. Garshick and Akram recommend choosing a device with a variety of attachments for treating both small and large areas of the face.

✔️Look at the instructions. Some devices recommend using a piece of gauze on the treatment area between the skin and the electrode, Dr. Garshick says.

How to use a high-frequency wand

Use on clean skin. Before using the device, make sure your skin is clean and dry, Dr. Garshick says.

Don’t use the tool for too long. “I would limit your total high-frequency treatment time to 15-20 minutes, moving the wand to a different part of the face after three minutes,” Akram explains.

How we chose the best high-frequency wands

We tested the NuDerma Clinical Skin Therapy Wand and spoke with Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC; and Sarah Akram, celebrity facialist and master esthetician. We also sifted through countless online reviews to find the best high-frequency wands available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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