Jennifer Hussein/Allure/Courtesy of brand
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Microcurrents, LED lights, cryotherapy — when it comes to skin tech that's now attainable at home, the limit does not exist. There are so many options to choose from, but one device that's currently on the lips (err, skin) of every TikTok beauty creator is the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand.
For context, the hashtag #solawavewand has over 3.4 million views on the app and is flooded with thousands of skin-care enthusiasts across the globe shouting its acne-clearing, sag-reducing powers from their phones. So, what's all the hubbub over this slender tool? Well, it supposedly combines the powers of soothing heat, contour-defining galvanic current technology, and acne-targeting LED lights to improve your complexion — all for under $200 price.
As a highly discerning skin-care skeptic, I put Solawave's most popular product to the test, and though this tool’s tech specs aren’t the most impressive on the market, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Radiant Renewal Wand lives up to some of its hype.
Overview: The Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand
This device seemed to become the biggest thing in skin care overnight, but why? I’d venture that one big reason is that it’s combining four different buzzy skin-care technologies in one sleek package. As stated earlier, this pocket-size tool utilizes LED light therapy, galvanic current (not microcurrent), low-level vibrations, and soothing warmth to tackle dullness, fine lines, puffiness, and acne.
Solawave's Radiant Renewal Wand is an upgraded version of its original wand. The brand decided to rethink its already-popular device after it received feedback from consumers asking to make the device more user-friendly. The Solawave wand 2.0 now has an on/off button (it was previously powered on by rotating its head), two additional LED lights for improved efficacy, 180-degree head rotation, and magnetic charging.
But what really makes this Radiant Renewal Wand stand out from its predecessor is the inclusion of galvanic current technology. According to New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD of MDCS Dermatology, this is an alternative to microcurrent that “facilitates the penetration of skin care ingredients in the skin.” We'll get deeper into this technology in just a second.
SolaWave
Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
The facts behind LED light and galvanic currents for skin
Chances are, of all of Solawave’s features, you're probably most familiar with LED light therapy. But, in case you need a refresher on its benefits, Erum Ilyas, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, has you covered. "Red LED light has been studied with medical-grade devices for use on the skin because it actually has the ability to penetrate the skin deeply.It is believed to work by activating signaling pathways between cells," she says. "There are studies evaluating and showing red LED benefits when used as a medical-grade device — but not at-home products — for acne, wound healing, hair regrowth, and diminishing signs of aging."
So, here’s the thing: The Solawave wand is not a medical-grade device. In fact, it only features seven red LED light bulbs. For comparison’s sake, the $455 Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWear Pro full-face mask has over 100. “It is difficult to quantify the results one can expect from a 7-bulb device, however, it may help,” says Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. “The most important is to be consistent with usage to reap benefits, if any.”
As mentioned before, this device also uses galvanic current technology. Like the microcurrent technology harnessed by devices such as NuFace, galvanic current technology utilizes low-voltage electrotherapy for skin-care benefits. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. Dr. Murphy-Rose explains that microcurrent technology utilizes a “low-level alternating electrical current” to temporarily sculpt and lift your face’s natural contours, whereas galvanic currents use a direct electrical current to increase skin permeability and deliver skin-care products deeper into the skin. “Both microcurrent and galvanic current may promote healing,” she adds. Research published in a 2008 edition of Naturopathic Physical Medicine also reports that galvanic current assists with lymphatic drainage and easing inflammation.
As for the Solawave’s massaging vibrations and gentle heat, Dr. Camp says these settings can also improve product absorption and calm inflammation: “The heat setting on the device may encourage improved penetration of ingredients in serums applied to the skin during use of the Solawave device, and the massage setting may help reduce swelling by encouraging lymphatic drainage.”
“May” and “might” are words that cropped up often in my conversations with experts about the Solawave wand. That’s because Solawave has not done a clinical trial to back up the claims about its Radiant Renewal Wand. According to a representative for the brand, its team is currently finalizing the results of a consumer perception study. (In a consumer perception study, testers use a product or device and then share their feedback. There is no clinical observation or objective assessment of the results, like measuring reduction in acne or wrinkles.) In a consumer perception study on the earlier iteration of the Solawave, 60 people between the ages of 25 to 60 years old tried the 4-in-1 Advanced Skincare Wand for one month, with half the group testing the facial tool along with the brand’s Renew Complex Activating Serum. Of those testing solely the wand, 100% agreed that consistent use for one month led to softer, more supple skin. The majority of wand-only testers reported a glowier, radiant complexion, more even tone, and a decrease in the appearance of fine lines.
How I tested it
Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein using the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand.
Jennifer Hussein/Allure
I'll be honest: I haven't spent much time with the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand, but so far I've been loving it. I've been using the wand every other morning for approximately two weeks. My first day using the device was more or less seamless, considering that the instructions are pretty simple. After letting it charge for two hours before turning it on for the first time, you just apply a serum (for a friction-free glide), turn it on, and gently run the device in sweeping motions across a section of your face. Its three-minute timer will alert you to move to the next area. It's worth noting that you Solawave recommends paring this wand with an oil-free serum or moisturizer with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe vera in order to get the best results from the wand. (My elixir of choice has been the First Aid Beauty Bounce-Boosting Serum).
For a more visual step-by-step tutorial, you can watch the brand's instructional video here.
One Solawave session can be as brief as three minutes, if you’re only focusing on one area, like your jawline. The brand recommends at least three sessions a week to start seeing results within two weeks. Since I'm targeting multiple areas of my face and hoping to expedite my results, I use the device every other day at Solwave's max recommendation of 30 minutes per day (that’s three minutes per section, which the brand does not recommend starting with but… I went for it). On each section I target, including my cheeks, undereyes, forehead, and neck, I utilize Solawave's detailed usage instructions, which are broken down below:
- Cheeks: Start on the area of the cheek closest to the lips and glide outward up the cheek.
- Undereyes: Start on the inner corner below the eye and gently glide outward to the outer corner of the eye.
- Forehead: Start at the base of the forehead and glide the Wand upward across the forehead. Avoid contact with the eyelids.
- Neck: Start on the inner sides of the neck and glide outward and up, avoiding the larynx and throat area.
Before and after
Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein before and two weeks after using the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand.
Jennifer Hussein/Allure
I've just started noticing a clearer, more radiant complexion. Usually, I have a few blackheads and a little post-acne hyperpigmentation on my hairline, the perimeter of my face, and on my nose. But those pesky spots have noticeably toned down (pun intended).
While the sculpting results are minimal so far, I have been noticing a subtle lift to my jowls. However, the most noticeable and instant effect has been on my eyes — they look way less puffy than usual. Both Dr. Camp and Dr. Murphy-Rose attribute this to the lymphatic draining effects of Solawave’s heat and vibrations. Usually, I have swollen, red eyes from the moment I wake up until I go to bed, but this tool has become my tried-and-true trick for reducing morning puffiness.
Pros and cons
Pros
In my experience, the heat and massage of the Solawave can have impressive depuffing effects. And if they’re helping my favorite serum penetrate deeper, that’s a lovely bonus. This device is also just a pleasure to use. It’s sleek and compact and feels great in your hand. I found it made me look forward to my evening skin-care routine — and take a little time with it — in a way that I didn’t before. And while the price isn’t low, the wand costs significantly less than many of the other skin-care devices on the market.
Cons
Though I have personally seen benefits from using this device, all three dermatologists question this tiny device's overall efficacy in a three-minute treatment. And the brand hasn’t done any clinical trials to back up its claims. "It is difficult to say if the red LED light aspect could achieve any measurable results simply because even medical-grade devices require much more time than a three-minute session," says Dr. Ilyas. "As a product that is relatively cheaper than the rest, I think it is reasonable to try but difficult to say how effective it is in the long run."
It's also worth noting that if you use this device in 30-minute sessions like I do, the battery life is pretty short. The run time is about an hour, so I've gotten only two uses per charge. Considering that it takes two hours to charge the battery and that I chronically neglect all of my devices the moment they die, this was a speed bump in my testing.
Pricing and value
Solawave's famous LED light therapy wand costs $169, which is a fraction of the price of higher-quality, versatile skin-care tools like the NuFace Trinity+ microcurrent device (which currently costs $395) or the Allure Readers' Choice Award-winning TheraFace Pro facial massager (another tool just under $400). Yes, Solawave's device is more affordable, and I did see results after consistent use, but this device can’t replicate the contour-lifting effects of NuFace’s device or the more intensive attachments (including a larger LED light head) of the TheraFace Pro.
Where to buy it
SolaWave
Solawave Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
Want to try the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand's contour-enhancing powers for yourself? This nifty skin-care device is $169 at ulta.com, nordstrom.com, and solawave.com.