The 3 Best High-Frequency Wands I Rely on to Zap Away Acne on a Budget
Dermatologists and estheticians are big fans of using high-frequency wands on acne.
Expert consulted: Joshua Ross, Karan Lal and Taylor Worden
If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
High-frequency wands are inescapable right now. They’ve taken over my TikTok feed (32.2 million views and counting) and brunch conversations, and even skincare professionals can’t get enough of them. And the best part? These nifty tools aren’t just social media hype. High-frequency wands are my favorite pain-free way to zap away zits, including hormonal acne and breakouts—that can sometimes come from testing hundreds of new beauty products.
Since I’m on a budget and my credit card could use a break, I don’t spend hundreds on monthly professional high-frequency wand facials. Instead, I set about evaluating the best at-home models. After consulting a dermatologist and two estheticians, I got my hands on several promising options and, after testing, can confirm these are best high-frequency wands right now.
The Best High-Frequency Wands
- Best Overall: Stacked Skincare High-Frequency Acne Device
- Best Budget: NuDerma Professional Skin Therapy Wand
- Best Under $100: Skin Gym High-Frequency Wand
What Does a High-Frequency Wand Do?
In short, a lot. High-frequency wands use antibacterial blue argon gas or a pink or orange anti-aging neon gas to create small, pain-free electrical currents that help boost circulation and oxygenate the skin. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Karan Lal, D.O., this presence of oxygen generation helps kill acne-causing bacteria on our skin. The oxygen from high-frequency wands can work on all zits, including painful cystic acne under our skin, clearing them faster and even helping with inflammation, redness, and dark spots caused by zits. Lal adds that this oxygenation process also decreases oil production, which is typically associated with acne-prone and oily skin.
So, what does this all mean? Well, high-frequency wands do not prevent acne, but they treat already present pimples. High-frequency wands have also been shown to shorten the duration of pimples, notes Lal and aesthetician Joshua Ross of SkinLab in Manhattan Beach, California.
Lal says high-frequency wands can be time-consuming and impractical to use when dealing with moderate-to-severe acne, which is why he prefers them for treating stubborn, red, and inflamed localized pimples. After starting a prescription retinol, I’ve been dealing with skin purging, and using these featured high-frequency wands has helped calm down pesky bumps that would otherwise rear their ugly heads and leave behind dark spots on my face.
High-Frequency Wand Benefits
Not only do high-frequency wands treat current pimples and speed up the healing process after breakouts, but esthetician Taylor Worden says they help minimize the look of pores and bring circulation and oxygen to the face to help with fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles. Worden, who founded Taylor Worden Skin in New York, adds that high-frequency wands can even help stimulate hair growth, which is why some on this list include a detachable comb-like head to run through from the scalp to the ends of the hair.
Worden adds there are two types of high-frequency wands. Those that use neon or red light to help aging skin, and those that use blue light or argan to help target acne. Understanding someone’s skincare goals will ensure you gift them something practical they’ll actually use instead of giving them a gadget that’ll collect dust.
How I Chose
Here’s some insight into how I selected these three models as the best high-frequency wands actually worth incorporating into an at-home skincare routine. I chose them based on a combination of factors, including the wattage, quantity, and size of attachments, brand reputation, and more. These recommendations start at around $30 and have also earned plenty of impressive feedback from the skincare pros.
I Factored in the Number and Style of Attachments
I prioritized high-frequency wands that offer multiple attachments in different shapes to help target all the nooks and crannies of the face. For example, some include one larger attachment that looks like a tongue and smaller mushroom-tip glass accessory for around the nose and other hard-to-reach spots.
I Gauged the Ease of Removing and Adding Attachments
Nothing is worse than broken glass in your home. It’s messy, unsafe, and a pain to clean up, especially if you’ve got kids, pets, or just don’t want to deal with anxiety of worrying about hard-to-spot shards of glass stuck in your rug. I evaluated how smooth it was to swap out each attachment over several weeks to ensure they stay in place without accidentally shattering. I also gauged how smooth the attachments are against my skin and if they glide relatively easily when I use gauze versus without.
Travel-Friendly Elements Earned Bonus Points
These nifty gadgets look like electric toothbrushes and water flossers, meaning high-frequency wands are generally compact enough to tuck into my suitcase for any impromptu travel plans. Since the attachments are all made from glass, I also considered if these devices come with a protective hard case or at the very least, well-padded boxes that have room for all of the attachments.
And I Prioritized Wands That Delivered Fast, Real Results
The most important factor was if I saw a legitimate improvement in my skin. I considered how often I needed to use the device to notice results on different types of pimples, including closed comedones, whiteheads, blackheads, and occasional cystic acne. I also considered how frequently and how many minutes I spent using the device to achieve acne-free results. Lastly, I assessed if any pimples popped up in the same spots.
After testing promising models for several weeks, I can safely say these are the best high-frequency wands actually worth the money.
Pros
- Created by an aesthetician
- Includes a storage case with magnetic closure
- You can order a refurbished model for 50% off if you’ve got a tighter budget
Cons
- The zapping noise is relatively louder than cheaper high-frequency wands
When it comes to the best high-frequency wands, Stacked Skincare is my undisputed favorite. Although the price is a little steep, the quality of the device and accessories stand out — and make this well worth the cost. It’s so effective that Worden loves it and says it’s great for acne-prone skin and beginners making the foray into the world of high-frequency wands.
The wand uses argon gas electrodes to create a small current and oxygen to help calm red, inflamed acne on the face and body. Notably, its customizable dial lets you control the strength of the electrodes for your comfort. Even when I power it on to the lowest setting, Stacked Skincare’s wand feels stronger than the other here, but it doesn’t cause any pain. And I noticed my pimples shrink much faster whenever I use this Stacked Skincare wand over the others here. It’s the best for zapping away my acne, including maskne, a.k.a. when pimples pop up on my chin from wearing a face mask.
And this might be TMI, but it’s worth noting that this device help clear up any burgeoning zits that want to pop up during my retinol purging process or leading up to my menstrual cycle. For example, I noticed what felt like cystic acne caused by retinol purging near my chin and pulled out this wand. Turning the adjustable dial to the lowest setting, I gently rubbed the device across my face and concentrated my taps on the main zit for about a minute and noticed it started to look less inflamed after a few hours. I then decided to zap it twice the next day, and the pimple was completely gone, with no sign of hyperpigmentation.
This wand comes with three attachments for the large and small crevices of the face, plus a comb that promises to help stimulate hair follicles. I’m so compelled by the skin improvements that I’ve had since using this device that I’ve ordered a few as self-care gifts for my besties this holiday season.
More: Gift Ideas for Student Athletes, Including Picks From Cristiano Ronaldo and Venus Williams
Key Specs
| # of Attachments | 3 |
|---|
NuDerma Professional Skin Therapy High-Frequency Wand
Pros
- Most attachments
- The bent wand attachment is perfect for targeting congested pores around my nose
Cons
- I had an isolated issue with the wand interfering with my lamp
Lal says NuDerma is by far the most popular high-frequency wand device on the market because it’s portable and includes both large and small attachments for the face and scalp. When I originally published my high-frequency wand recommendations in 2022, the brand only included four wand attachments, but now there are two more to ensure you can treat every nook and cranny of your face.
After unboxing the NuDerma, I was impressed with the padding in the box, which is minor but I thought would be helpful for traveling since the wand doesn’t come with a hardshell protective case.
Setting up the device is easy. I did initially have a little difficulty removing each attachment from the custom padding, but I didn’t mind since I’d rather have to be more careful and not risk breaking the glass.
The wand made an overall positive impression on my second use and beyond. For me, the lowest setting is minimal but effective. Though I found that I had the most luck using level three across my face and cranked up to levels four and five when focusing on a super congested pore or annoying zits. They began to shrink in about 24 hours, with blackheads and whiteheads fully disappearing after about three or four days. I also had one cystic pimple, and this device helped it disappear in about seven days.
Interestingly, I did have one issue with this device. I own a Dyson lamp and noticed the lights were flickering when I used the NuDerma. The first time it occurred, I just thought my lamp was acting up, but the second time I realized it was due to using this high-frequency wand next to the lamp. (I haven’t had any similar issues with other wands I tested.)
I reached back out to the brand about this, and they claimed it has only happened twice out of the millions of high-frequency wands they’ve sold. One user lived in an old building with an incompatible power supply, and another was misusing a power strip. FWIW, I do live in an apartment that finished construction in 1923, but I’ve never experienced any electrical issues living here for almost two years. NuDerma sent me a replacement, and the second one has been problem-free from the jump.
Despite that initial issue with my niche Dyson lamp, I still feel comfortable using the NuDerma and recommending it to readers and loved ones. It’s a tool I reach for and keep in the office beauty closet in case any zits want to pop up at the most inconvenient time.
Key Specs
| # of Attachments | 6 |
|---|
Pros
- A quick 1-3 minute time commitment per area
- Works on all types of acne, like cystic and pustles
Cons
- Only includes attachments for the skin
Skin Gym has good brand cred and makes some of my other favorite skincare tools, including facial steamers. So I had high expectations for this wand, and it didn’t disappoint.
It’s lightweight and skinny, making it excellent for traveling. While it is $35 cheaper than Stacked Skincare’s wand, it lacks some accessories — like a large attachment for the cheeks and a comb for the hair — hence why it’s not the best overall winner.
Skin Gym is your best bet if you can get by with only two attachments: a mushroom cap for larger areas and a small sparker for spot-treating blemishes. If that sounds like you, then your skin is in for a real treat.
I tried it after misplacing my Stacked Skincare high-frequency wand and was pleasantly surprised. A huge zit popped up right on my forehead from wearing a baseball cap. After I ran the device across my face and tapped on the breakout, the zit began flattening after a day. After two days, the whitehead fully disappeared and just left behind a little redness that soon faded.
One thing to keep in mind is that you should use gauze with this device. Out of the three wands I recommend, this one doesn’t glide as easily as others, but I didn’t mind. Estheticians, including my skincare fairy godmother Alessandra Cavallaro of Spa Bem-Ti-Vi, typically place a piece of gauze between the face and the high-frequency wand to easily glide the device over the skin. It didn’t tug by any means, but I noticed it was dragging slightly on my face.
Key Specs
| # of Attachments | 3 |
|---|
Tips for Using a High-Frequency Wand
Here are tips I gleaned from Lal and fellow board-certified dermatologist Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., as well as estheticians Worden, Ross, and Cavallaro.
Do’s
- It seems obvious, but it’s important to note: Always follow the directions. This includes not holding the high-frequency wand longer on the skin than the directions advise, or you may accidentally burn your skin.
- Speaking of duration, the pros say to only use the device no more than once a day. Be sure the skin is clean, and remove all metal jewelry on the head and neck.
- Estheticians typically place a piece of gauze between the face and the high-frequency wand to easily glide the device over the skin.
Don’ts
- Do not use or gift a high-frequency wand if someone has a pacemaker, is pregnant, has heart rhythm abnormalities, or has any seizure disorders.
- Those with skin sensitivities, like rosacea or melasma, should avoid using high-frequency wands since they worsen redness, blushing, flushing, and hyperpigmentation.
- Don’t use the high-frequency wand on any comedones, and open or broken skin, including areas that have been picked at or were manually extracted at home.
- To avoid irritation and redness, skip using any products containing retinoids, retinol, and acids after treatment.
How to Clean a High-Frequency Wand
The good news is that you can incorporate a high-frequency wand into your beauty routine as a low-maintenance way to keep your skin zit-free. Ross advises always wiping down the wand with a dry cloth, and once in a while using an antiseptic wipe just to make sure it’s clean of any bacteria.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Best New Beauty Awards package. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventues.
Joshua Ross is a celebrity aesthetician and the founder of SkinLab in Los Angeles. He has more than 15 years beauty industry experience and provides non-invasive treatments to help maintian healthy skin and improve signs of aging.
Dr. Karan Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology. He is an expert in atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, melasma, psoriasis, and hidradenitis and has worked in specialty clinics among experts. Lal is the only board-certified pediatric and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist in the country.
Taylor Worden is an esthetician and the founder of Taylor Woden Skin, a spa in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan.
Watch Next
FirstAid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Recall 101
The Best Foot Spas of 2025
The Best Face Massager for Sculpted, Glowing Skin
The Best Face Moisturizers for Men, Per an M.D.
