There’s no getting denying the uptick of at-home skincare tools on the market. Even if you’ve only spent half an hour on social media within the past year, you’ve more than likely seen an article about SolaWave and its red light and microcurrent technology or videos of celebrities including Euphoria's Sydney Sweeney raving about how much they love the brand’s skincare wands.
The skincare space has also seen brands like Therabody (yes, the massage gun company) enter the market with all-in-one devices like the TheraFace PRO that claim to rejuvenate skin.
To learn more about the technology behind these products taking over the skincare world and how they work, we spoke with New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist, Carmen Castilla, M.D.(opens in a new tab) and Erum Ilyas, M.D(opens in a new tab)., MBE, FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist, Schweiger Dermatology CEO, AmberNoon.
Is red light therapy worth it?
Red light therapy can be worth it if used consistently for a prolonged period. Dr. Castilla explains that “there is some scientific support that red light is effective if used consistently for a number of weeks. However, the device needs to emit a certain amount of energy to be effective. [One should] expect any noticeable improvement to take at least 8-12 weeks.”
Dr. Ilyas adds that “purchasing an over-the-counter device may or may not achieve the same benefits [as medical grade devices] based on the power of the device and the length of time required for use.”
Does Solawave help with acne scars or dark spots?
When discussing SolaWave, Dr. Castilla explains that “in order to be effective, a red light device needs to emit a certain amount of energy to deliver an adequate red light dose to make a biological impact on the skin. This is not a cumulative dose spaced over several sessions, but the dose required per session. The lower the power emitted, the longer you have to be exposed to the light to receive an adequate dose.”
As a low-energy device, the SolaWave likely won’t be as effective as an in-office medical treatment. Dr. Castilla mentions that the SolaWave wand is likely to see the best results when used as a maintenance tool after an in-office treatment by a board-certified dermatologist.
Does microcurrent tighten skin?
Within medical studies(opens in a new tab), there have been “benefits noted in wound healing studies [such as the] stimulation of fibroblasts [and] the collagen-producing cells of the skin,” says Dr. Ilyas. “In this way, this technology may have the benefit to tighten skin.” While Dr. Ilyas was unable to locate studies(opens in a new tab) evaluating the ability of at-home devices to tighten skin specifically, medical studies offer a glimpse into microcurrent’s potential benefits.
Dr. Castilla adds that “you can think of microcurrent as the opposite of neurotoxin (Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Jeuveau) which are aiming to relax muscles to smooth out fine lines.”
Whether you’re looking for a skincare wand with red light therapy or personalized products sent to your home every few months, we’ve got you covered. Continue reading for the best skincare technology of 2023.
