The Best High Frequency Skincare Wands in 2023

Jul 31, 2023

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With a few (painless!) zaps, you can have healthier, firmer, clearer skin.

Beauty tools have gone fully sci-fi. From acne-fighting light therapy to sculpting microcurrent devices, at-home skincare tools keep improving, and high-frequency wands are no exception. A long-standing aesthetician staple, the inner workings of these zit-zapping and line-smoothing wands glow with flickers of orange, blue, or purple gas and are quickly becoming an at-home favorite for enhancing skincare routines.

So how do they work? Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman explains that a mild electric current passes through the gas (argon or neon) inside the electrode, generating oxygen which transfers to the skin as you glide the wand across. "The oxygen generated has several effects, such as killing acne-causing bacteria, improving the skin’s overall texture and glow, promoting collagen and elastin production, and aiding in lymphatic drainage.” High-frequency skin wands can also help to smooth fine lines, reduce the look of wrinkles and cellulite, shrink large pores temporarily, calm redness, and even brighten dark under-eye circles.

According to board-certified dermatologist Debra Jaliman, author of Skin Rules: Trade Secrets from a Top New York Dermatologist, acne is the most common use of high-frequency wands. Blue- or violet-hued argon gas provides an anti-blemish effect by targeting and killing acne-causing bacteria to flatten the bump. Celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleau says to use high-frequency wands only on blemishes that are red, painful and sore to the touch. “The device should be used on active blemishes, rather than clogged pores or scars, to fight the bacteria festering in that area.” Although these devices may be a godsend for those suffering from mild acne, they can’t penetrate deep enough under the skin to clear up cystic or hormonal acne nor impact the hormones responsible for these breakouts.

If skin-smoothing is more your thing, a high-frequency wand with orange neon gas is better equipped to oxygenate the skin to help decrease inflammation and redness and increase circulation, which can assist in collagen production and cell turnover and stimulate collagen to help smooth and tighten the skin.

If you want to know which high-frequency wands work and are worth the (minimal) investment, we asked the experts for their favorite picks. Ahead, their choices for what works for zapping away pimples, increasing blood flow and more to put skin on the path to clear and healthy once and for all.

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.

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.”

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

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.”

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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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