7 Best High

Aug 03, 2023

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They might help zap breakouts.

High-tech skincare can be a game-changer for your beauty routine, but in-person treatments can cost a fortune. And TBH, some at-home beauty gadgets we've tested are almost as effective as esthetician treatments. Take high-frequency wands, which primarily treats acne, but can also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

“High-frequency wands emit a certain type of electric current that is thought to be helpful to, in many cases, reduce potential for bacteria,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. Using a gas like neon or argon, it generates low electrical currents that can reduce bacterial growth that causes acne, says says Brendan Camp, MD, double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.

The zit-fighting wands target zits, but they can also promote circulation and collage production, i.e., improve your face's overall skin texture and tone, says Dr. Garshick.

Our experts recommend using a high-frequency wand as a spot treatment right when you're breaking out, or smaller pimples. But if your acne consists more of whiteheads, blackheads, or deep cystic acne, high-frequency wands “may not be as effective as if they were treating maybe more superficial pimple or inflammatory acne lesions,” Dr. Camp says.

Ahead, check out the very best high-frequency wands, per dermatologists and rave reviews.

Meet the experts: Marisa Garshick, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology. Brendan Camp, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City.

Dr. Garshick recommends this high-frequency wand from StackedSkincare, which works specifically for acne. It can help eliminate the appearance of redness and inflammation while also reducing outbreaks and new acne from forming.

Dermatologist Review: "That one's a nice one. It has four different applicators and it emits the electric current using the argon gas electrode. It's definitely an easy-to-use one, and it's specific even for those who have acne." —Marisa Garshick, MD

In 2020, our WH editor used this wand to treat her pigmentation, and tested it on her acne-prone sister. She says this has been able to address both skin concerns. Plus, reviewers online said it genuinely helped clear up their acne.

Editor Review: "This totally (literally) zapped her acne and with regular use, it helped lighten a ton of my old, stubborn pigmented spots," our editor said. "I use an LED red light for maintenance, but this is great for spot treatments on stubborn marks."

This high-frequency facial machine is h-o-t with customers online, as many say that it can reduce the appearance of pores, kill bacteria and improve overall skin appearance. One customer even wrote that it works just as well as her esthetician's high-frequency wand!

Rave Review: "So far, I've really loved this wand, and it seems to work just as well as a higher-end wand my esthetician uses in the salon. I use it on nearly the lowest setting, and really love that there are several attachments so I can use them for overall skin health as well as more targeted problem areas."

This high-frequency wand, which works on all skin types, has three electrodes to help zap blemishes. A ton of reviewers seem to think it's totally worth the investment, noting that they love how it actually gets rid of acne and also makes breakouts less red and inflamed.

Dermatologist Review: "It's going to be good specifically also for breakouts. It can be used at home, so it's going to have three different attachments to target the different area based on the size. And overall, is again, easy to use." —Marisa Garshick, MD

If you're interested in a high-frequency wand that can help with discoloration, check this one out. It can help with pimples, smoothing out wrinkles, and cleaning your skin, plus, hyperpigmentation.

Rave Review: "I have always had cystic acne on my right jaw that never seemed to go away, but with this wand, it has helped SO MUCH with subsiding and getting rid of it."

This high-frequency device has over 1,000 ratings on Amazon, so it's been tested by many. The zap is powerful and it can help irritation and redness on skin, reviewers say. Plus, it can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and even out skin tone.

Rave Review: "I was going to pay $1,600 for laser treatment on my face for rosacea, and thank goodness I didn't. This baby is a miracle worker! It is easy to use, doesn't hurt, and the results are fantastic. In a matter of six sessions, the red patches are almost gone. I am buying another one to give to my best friend!"

Okay, so this one isn't *exactly* a high-frequency wand, but it is a device that uses microcurrents on your face. This one in particular is best for toning your face, not necessarily helping the appearance of your skin. So, if you find you want to give your face more of a lifted look, this tool is all yours!

Rave Review: "I've had this product for almost a month now. I absolutely love this product, I see results instantly. You can see the effects in the tightening and uplifting of the areas such as the eyebrow area."

For one week, Women’s Health editors, including our editorial assistant Addison Aloian and senior commerce editor Neha Tandon researched the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated high-frequency wands. Our team consulted dermatologists Marisa Garshick, MD and Brendan Camp, MD and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best seven items for a wide range of needs and preferences.

Initially, use the high-frequency wand as needed, so if that’s daily, “that is fine because it's not really causing any sort of abrasion or any disruption to the skin,” Dr. Garshick says.

Along with Dr. Camp, she recommends cleansing and drying your skin, then holding the wand close to your skin and moving it in a circular motion over a specific area for one to three minutes, then continuing to other areas. If you feel a buzz, that means it’s generating the current to penetrate the skin, Dr. Camp says. Try not to work on one area for more than five minutes, and try to not use a high-frequency wand for more than 10-15 minutes at a time.

There are some features to look for when you're thinking of buying a high-frequency facial wand for acne.

In general, there's no specific product that you need to pair with using a high-frequency wand, but you'll first want to use a gentle cleanser for your skin before using one. Dr. Camp has seen some people use serums while they use their high-frequency wand to stimulate things like collagen production and healing. Post-use, you can put a moisturizer on, he recommends.

If you're using it to treat acne, some other products you should incorporate into your skincare routine are retinol, benzoyl peroxide, or a salicylic acid—just make sure you don't use them at the same time as the high-frequency wand, Dr. Garsick says.

One last thing to note: "There's a lot of anecdotal evidence to support the use of high-frequency wands, but there's not a lot of scientific evidence," Dr. Camp says. So, make sure you have realistic expectations if you use one to help with acne, and if it's not working, see your dermatologist to figure out a treatment plan.

While high-frequency wands can certainly compliment an acne regimen and can reduce bacteria, "they're not meant to be a replacement for acne treatment," Dr. Garshick adds. Noted.

Skincare tools

LED Face Masks | Laser Hair Removal Devices | Red Light Therapy Tools | LED Light Therapy

Acne treatments

Benzoyl Peroxide Products | Amazon Acne Products | Salicylic Acid Cleansers | Acne Washes

Addison Aloian (she/her) is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health. When she’s not writing about all things pop culture, health, beauty, and fashion, she loves hitting leg day at the gym, shopping at Trader Joe’s, and watching whichever hockey game is on TV. Her work has also appeared in Allure, StyleCaster, L’Officiel USA, V Magazine, and Modern Luxury Media.

Brian Underwood is the beauty director at Women’s Health. He is an award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle for several national media outlets and previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily. His work has appeared in Woman’s Day, Life & Style Weekly, Good Housekeeping, and many more. He also serves as a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and lives in New York City with his daughter.

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