29 January 2020

The Best High Frequency Machines for Home Use

By Marie Davis Beauty

Published 29 January 2020

Last updated 15 June 2021

Portable high-frequency devices that you can use at home are a great way to help you get a brighter, more radiant complexion. High-frequency treatments have been used for years at spas for a variety of different types of skin conditions.

It is a particularly useful treatment for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to prevent and treat acne.

Luckily, it isn’t necessary to go to a spa to get the benefits of this natural and safe treatment since many great at-home machines are available.

In this post, we explore what you should know before buying a high-frequency device for home use, and we also list some of the most popular and best quality products for you to consider.

Benefits

High-frequency treatments can provide many different benefits for your skin. The three most well-known benefits to HF treatments are that they can help eliminate acne-causing bacteria, improve the look of aging skin, and minimize enlarged pores and blackheads.

Most of the benefits of using HF directly relate to the look of your skin. Because these types of treatments increase blood circulation to your face, they can be hugely beneficial to the overall healthy look of your skin.

Some users find that it works well to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles. If you have a machine that has a comb attachment, you can also use it to improve hair growth and help prevent hair loss.

Compared to other beauty treatments like laser or injections, it is non-invasive, doesn’t hurt, and won’t leave you with burns or irritated skin.

How does it work?

The basic idea of these types of HF products is to deliver alternating electric currents to the skin through (most commonly) a glass electrode. The electrode can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can treat different areas.

When the electrode comes into contact with the skin, thermal and electrical energy is passed to the skin. The energy creates oxidized Oxygen (Ozone) that generates all kinds of benefits for the skin, including killing bacteria and stimulating collagen and the cells.

Reviews

NuDerma Professional Skin Therapy Wand

The NuDerma Professional Skin Therapy Wand is one of the newer options available that is getting quite popular as an easy-to-use, convenient, high-frequency device. It comes with six beauty wands, including 3 Argon-powered applicators as well as applicators with Tungsten.

Many women are finding it to be especially useful on acne and fine lines. It is also budget-friendly at only around $60. Nuderma also sells a slightly cheaper portable option that is also very popular.

Available on Amazon

High-Frequency d’Arsonval Professional Grade Device with Argon Electrodes

The New Spa d’Arsonval Professional Grade Device is one of the most popular ‘Professional Grade’ options available. Its popularity stems from the quality you are getting for the price and the large number of attachments.

This machine works very well if you have acne. Many users report that they can get rid of blemishes within a few days of use due to the formation of ozone that kills acne-causing bacteria.

It is also great at removing warts, cold sores and can help with the appearance of fine lines by making the skin appear firmer. It has a high-frequency alternating current of 200,000 cycles per second that can increase circulation, remove waste, and provide deeper product penetration.

This product from New Spa comes with ten attachments; 7 of the accessories are Argon electrodes, including roller, comb, bar, rod, spoon, mushroom, and the t-electrode. You also get three neon electrode attachments of rod, spoon, and mushroom.

Available from Amazon

Lift Wand

The Lift Wand is another excellent option if you are looking for an easy-to-use, reasonably priced device that works well for anti-aging. The Lift Wand comes with four electrode attachments, as well as a bottle of Natural Argan oil.

The electrode attachments include a face electrode to increase elasticity and collagen production, a nose electrode to minimize pores and control oil production, and an ear electrode for behind the ear lobes. It also comes with a comb attachment that you can use to help stimulate hair growth or for other skin issues that may be affecting the scalp.

An instructional DVD is included in this package, which can be very helpful if you are confused about how best to use this machine at home. It is a fantastic treatment for anti-aging due to the power of the product and the fact that you use it combined with argan oil.

Check pricing on Amazon

Background

The use of high frequency to treat skin conditions has been around since 1893 when Jacques-Arsène d’Arsonval, a French biophysicist, began using high-frequency currents to treat diseases of the skin and mucous membranes with the machine that he invented that later became known as the d’Arsonval.

His work was based on the discovery of high frequency by Nikola Tesla, who used it for the medical purpose of killing infections. Because of this, it is often called “D’Arsonval high frequency” or the “Tesla current.”

In the 1970s, European spas began to use the high-frequency current to treat acne and fine lines. It soon made its way over to North America and is now commonly used in most spas to help with various skin conditions. Skincare professionals love high frequency because it is a safe and non-invasive treatment that has few side effects.

What to Look for

The number of attachments– Depending on what you are trying to achieve using an HF device, you may want to pay close attention to the type of accessories that come with the product (if any). If you are new to HF treatments, you may want to start with a product with 3 or 4 attachments like the Lift Wand. If you find that you want to try more accessories, you can upgrade to the New Spa Professional Device with ten electrodes.

The most commonly used electrode shapes include:

Mushroom – Used on the cheeks, forehead, neck, and chest. It is the most popular attachment for these types of machines.
Point- Used for blemishes, eye area, small points.
Comb – Used on the scalp, hair
Spoon -Cheeks, forehead, neck, scalp

Portable– If you travel a lot, you may want to consider how portable the machine will be. If you are using it a few times a week, you may not want to stop treatment if you go away. You probably won’t take the products with the glass electrodes on a trip, as they may break easily. A Dermawand or the Oxyderm device is a little more portable than some of the other options.

Grounding Plug -Any high-frequency facial machine operating at over 5 watts must offer a three-pronged power supply plug. You need to have a three-pronged plug to prevent any damage to the device and to prevent the risk of shock. Not all machines offer this, and it is a pretty important safety feature.

Power – The power level of an HF machine is measured by the high-frequency oscillation rate (measured in Hertz). It is somewhat confusing because some manufacturers measure the power by the level of wattage. Most experts recommend choosing a device with a wattage that is less than ten but with a high rate of oscillation of 100,000 or more Hertz (cycles per second).

Argon or Neon– The devices that come with the glass electrode attachments have either neon (orange) or argon (violet) electrodes. Neon is generally used by professional spas for anti-aging treatments on the skin due to its stimulating effect, while argon is often considered best for treating acne because of its anti-bacterial qualities.

Side Effects

If used correctly, there are very few side effects from this type of treatment. Some users have a slightly red face after a procedure that usually fades within an hour or so. If the skin goes a bit red, that is a sign that the circulation is being activated.

Some users have reported hair growth on their faces after doing treatments for long periods. It is an uncommon side effect, but it does happen occasionally.

Safety

High-frequency machines are generally considered safe for at-home use as long as they are used correctly. You must read all instructions and warnings that come with any product that you purchase. You should also follow all the recommendations.

There are some instances where you should avoid this type of treatment. Do not use an at-home high-frequency machine if:

You are pregnant
You have a pacemaker or a history of heart disease.
If you suffer from any condition associated with the nervous system or if you have epilepsy
You have cancer
You have an acute infectious disease and fever
You have an inflammatory disease
You have high or low blood pressure

You should also be aware that you should never use an HF device:

Near water
Outside
If you are wearing metal jewelry.
On areas with broken capillaries, spider veins, and rosacea
If the bulb is broken or damaged.
Around combustible substances.
If you have any other health conditions that you are unsure may be affected by the HF treatment, consult your doctor.

How often should you use a high-frequency machine?

The length and number of treatments vary from machine to machine, so refer to each machine’s treatment plan before purchasing or starting treatment. The New Spa High-Frequency d’Arsonval Professional Grade Device with Argon Electrodes recommends using it for 7-10 minutes every other day for 8-16 consecutive treatments. The Lift Wand can be used for 15 minutes a day every day. The OxyDerm recommends different treatment times based on your skin type (oily/dry/combo).

No matter how often you use it, it is generally recommended that you combine the treatment with nourishing skin cream or serum after using the device. You should also ensure that you do not overuse any of the at-home devices. Using a tool more than is recommended won’t give you better results and may damage the machine’s coil.

Does it hurt?

High-frequency treatments are much less painful and invasive than a lot of professional treatments that are available. When doing a treatment with an at-home device, you may experience a mild warming sensation, along with a tingling or minor stinging.

Some tools will make a low zapping type of sound, which may alarm some users, but that is just the electricity that creates the benefits.

Maintenance

Many of these at-home devices are somewhat pricey, so it is worth ensuring you follow the proper care and maintenance for any at-home product you purchase. Not only will they last longer and work better, but they will also be safer to use.

Ensure you are doing the treatment on a clean, dry face or a face that has only recommended products on it. Your face also shouldn’t have any toner or product that contains alcohol, as they can be flammable.

You should also avoid acid-based products like Retin-A or L- ascorbic acids. Some acids could damage the electrode tip or may irritate your skin.

To clean your device, use a cotton pad and wash it with a soap and water solution. Do not use any cleaner that contains alcohol or acetone. Also, never submerge any detachable electrodes in water. You can, however, place the tip/end into a soap and water solution. Dry with a clean towel.

The Bottom Line

High-frequency home machines can be a beneficial addition to your home beauty routine. If used correctly and safely, you may find that you will get tight, glowing skin with fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

If you have acne, you may find the germicidal effect of HF products hugely helpful, along with your other treatment options. You will need to use the devices for extended periods to get the best results.

Also, be aware that results vary quite a bit based on what types of skin conditions you are treating, your age and genetic makeup, and any previous damage to the skin.