Most Popular Wand
Pure Daily Care NuDerma Professional Skin Therapy Wand
Most Popular Wand
Pure Daily Care NuDerma Professional Skin Therapy Wand
Now 17% Off
Pros
- Derm-Approved
- Best-Seller
Available as an at-home version and clinical-grade machines, Jaliman recommends this does-it-all wand for those with acne- and age-related complaints on their skin list. For a preventative approach, she says using the tool on the skin once per week can help kill bacteria, limit inflammation, and even suppress breakouts.
| Customer Review | "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 |
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Best Wand for Acne
StackedSkincare High Frequency Wand for Acne
Best Wand for Acne
StackedSkincare High Frequency Wand for Acne
Pros
- Derm-Approved
Engelman’s top recommendation for an at-home high-frequency device is this three-piece set. “It has also shown excellent results in treating acne and improving the overall appearance of the skin,” she says. While Engelman calls at-home tools great for maintenance, “patients see faster and more significant results with in-office treatments, which are typically more powerful.”
Most Customizable Wand
Apreuty High Frequency Machine
Most Customizable Wand
Apreuty High Frequency Machine
Pros
- Expert-Approved
- Great for hair, too
Rouleau likes this under $35 handheld device for treating blemishes, as it emits argon light, and has multiple attachments. "I like to use the small, rounded attachment for 'sparking,' (a fast and effective way to treat acne spots by holding the device close to the pimple to zap deeper into the blemish). I also like the flat 'mushroom' attachment for treating a larger area with the intention of preventing breakouts." She adds that comb attachments stimulate dormant follicles and improve hair growth by increasing blood circulation in the scalp
| Customer Review | "My esthetician charged an extra $30 for using this! She said it would help my skin absorb whatever serums much better- I thought I’d give it a try. It’s very similar to what she used." -SP |
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Best Viral Wand
Skin Gym Skin Gym High Frequency Wand at Nordstrom
Best Viral Wand
Skin Gym Skin Gym High Frequency Wand at Nordstrom
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Great for acne
This Instagram famous wand is said to work wonders on flattening stubborn pimples. “It is a great device that is especially effective on acne-prone skin and persistent blemishes,” Engelman says. “High-frequency tools feel like a subtle tingling or zapping on the skin, but nothing that is painful or uncomfortable. Some people even say that this feeling is soothing and revitalizing.”
| Customer Review | "It may actually work stronger then 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 |
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Best Budget-Friendly Wand
Beauty Star Facial Wand Machine
Best Budget-Friendly Wand
Beauty Star Facial Wand Machine
Pros
- Derm-Approved
Cons
With four different attachment heads to choose from, Jaliman recommends this wand often because "it is inexpensive and does the job." She also recommends wrapping gauze on top of a high-frequency instrument so that it glides across the skin
| Customer Review | "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 |
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Best Neon and Argon Wand
NewWay High Frequency Therapy Wand Machine
Best Neon and Argon Wand
NewWay High Frequency Therapy Wand Machine
Pros
- Under $40
- Prime Delivery
The nice thing about high-frequency wands is that they don’t break the bank. The NewWay wands are available with either neon or argon gas. “I like that this one has four headpieces, making it a good option for those with want to use it for anti-aging purposes,” Jaliman says.
| Customer Review | "This high frequency wand is amazing! I saw it reviewed on tik Tok and bought it immediately. As I am approaching 40, I’m always on the search for less invasive ways to age gracefully. Definitely a game changer for those who want glowing and radiant skin. I saw a huge reduction in my forehead wrinkles as well. They are not as pronounced as they were prior to using a high frequency wand. My skincare routine stayed the same and I use it every night while watching my favorite shows." -Frank |
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How do you use a high-frequency wand for skin?
Using high-frequency wands the right way is critical. First, cautiously hover the tool over the skin for no more than a few minutes at a time (15 minutes at most) and only once a day 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 explains. 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," Rouleau adds.
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 adds.
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.
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How often can you use high-frequency wands at home?
Hearst OwnedAt-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.
Meet The Experts
- 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.
Why trust Harper's BAZAAR?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s BAZAAR has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
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