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Mindbodygreen Commerce Editor Tries The Solawave Advanced Skincare Wand
I'll try almost any beauty treatment once, but I've developed a certain skepticism around buzzy skin care products that make *big* claims. It takes a lot to convince me that a product is worth the investment.
So even when I saw celebs, beauty influencers, and TikTokers alike sharing their impressive results from the Solawave 4-in-1 Advanced Skincare Wand, I was hesitant about giving the red light therapy device a go.
Even though I knew the many benefits of red-light therapy facials (including smoother skin and improved collagen density) I wasn't sure the tiny handheld device could give me the same level of results.
Ultimately, my best friend got me on board—and I've now been using the device for nearly two years. Below, find my honest review.
- I noticed results after my very first 5-minute session with the Solawave wand. My skin was instantly brighter and glowier.
- With consistent use, I've seen even better improvements in my skin. Fine lines on my forehead and around my eyes are less visible, I have significantly less redness, and my face is way less puffy.
- I used to experience breakouts at the end of my cycle like clockwork, but they're a thing of the past since I started using the Solawave wand.
- The Solawave wand is very easy to use. I spend 5 to 10 minutes with mine daily, but many people see significant results using it just a few times per week.
- I love that it comes with a hard case for easy portability! I always travel with my Solawave wand to help my skin look better no matter where I am.
What is the Solawave Wand?
The Solawave Wand is a lightweight, sleek, portable device that combines red light therapy, facial massage, microcurrent, and therapeutic warmth into a single treatment, all of which are automatically activated when the wand comes in contact with moisture.
"Red light therapy is a low wavelength red light that causes energy to be produced within a cell," explains board-certified dermatologist and skincare expert, Ramya Garlapati. "This increase in energy helps cells to work more efficiently to repair and rejuvenate the skin."
How the Solawave Wand works
Using 660-nanometer wavelength red light, the Solawave wand penetrates your skin's surface to ease discoloration and even out the tone, while its microcurrent energy stimulates deeper facial muscles, lifting and tightening from within.
The subtle massage works to relax your muscles to reduce puffiness, with the warmth helping to absorb your skin care products and brighten any dark under-eye circles.
So, what does this actually mean for your skin? Garlapati says, "Red light therapy can help to improve the appearance of your skin by stimulating collagen production, reducing inflammation, and increasing blood flow to the skin. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles, scarring, acne as well as other dermatologic medical conditions."
In terms of how often you should use it, according to Solawave, the four-in-one device reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles, blemishes, and dark spots when used regularly.
This means using the Solawave at least three times a week for five minutes per day on clean, moisturized skin. I've kept up with this regimen for the past five months.
And while it sounds somewhat intimidating, it's the results that keep me coming back for more. On the brand's website, you'll find easy-to-follow instructions, along with video and image tutorials.
Not to mention, there are a whole lot of impressive before-and-after photos—yup, those always get me, too.
How I tested the Solawave wand
I'm no stranger to LED light therapy, but I had previously left these fancy tools to the facialists and kept my at-home rituals pretty minimal. When I decided to try the Solawave wand, I didn't expect it to fit so seamlessly into my skin care routine.
In fact, I keep the tool on my bedside table with the brand's Renew Complex Serum so they're ready to go for a little self-care moment at the beginning (or end) of the day.
When I'm ready to start my treatment, I apply a generous amount of the serum to clean skin. As someone with combination skin that leans toward dry this time of year, I've discovered that my skin drinks up the formula—so it's always better for me to go slightly heavy with my application. This ensures my skin is slick enough to pull the wand evenly across.
"The great thing about red light therapy is that it can be effective without being invasive," Garlapati confirms. "Since it is not an invasive procedure it does not damage the skin, which minimizes any unwanted side effects that are more commonly encountered with other light and energy-based devices." She adds that there is no downtime to red light therapy, which makes it even more desirable.
My results from using the Solawave wand
- Significantly reduced my redness
- Lifted and toned my face
- Visibly reduced puffiness
- Gave my skin a glow
- Brightened my dark under-eye circles
- Reduced my need for professional treatments
My skin is prone to redness, particularly when I first wake up, but this device significantly reduced it over the first few weeks of testing.
I'll sometimes do half my face, just so I can see the immediate impact on my skin. It always appears more lifted and toned with visibly less puffiness after just five minutes!
I'd probably use this tool for its spa-like warmth and massaging capabilities alone, which relax me immediately. That said, the red light is what really brings the results. Facialists have used LED light therapy for years to help clients smooth out fine lines, fade hyperpigmentation, and even combat acne (Solawave has a tool for that, too).
Master esthetician Sarah Akram previously told mindbodygreen, "A brighter and more radiant complexion is achieved just after one [LED light therapy] session. But completing multiple sessions will yield greater results over time."
I can definitely attest. I personally was shocked by the results the first morning after using my new device—and it's only gotten more impressive with time. After two weeks, other people also started to notice, complimenting my "glowy" skin.
With each use, it brightens up my dark under-eye circles and eases tension in my face, revealing a less puffy, more sculpted appearance. Over the course of nearly two years of testing, I've noticed a significant improvement in fine lines and a more even skin tone overall.
Needless to say, I won't be going for professional treatments quite as often anymore. The Solawave wand has allowed me to achieve similar results from home for way less money.
Editor's note:
FAQ
How long does it take to see results from Solawave?
I saw results after just one use. I woke up the morning after using the Solawave and was shocked to see a more even skin tone and a brighter appearance overall. After two weeks, I began getting compliments on my “glowy” skin, with friends telling me how rested I looked. My under-eye circles were less noticeable and my face was less puffy. In the months since I started using the Solawave, I’ve seen continuous improvement in skin tone and redness and has a more sculpted appearance.
What are the pros and cons of red light therapy?
Our team has spend a lot of time researching the benefits of red light therapy and interviewing experts on the potential pros and cons. A few skin benefits of red light therapy are: increased collagen production, skin smoothness, improved complexion, and decreased wrinkles and fine lines.
Sarah Akram, master esthetician, previously told mindbodygreen, “[red light therapy goes] deep into the dermis layer and is great for healthy aging, targeting wrinkles and fine lines.” In fact, one study found that receiving red light therapy twice a week led to improved skin complexion, skin tone, skin smoothness, and collagen density (as measured with an ultrasonographic test).
In terms of potential cons, more research still needs to be done to continue to back the claimed benefits of red light therapy. But, at the end of the day, it is a safe, non-invasive practice with very few downsides.
Is the Solawave worth it?
For me, the Solawave was worth the investment. In fact, it’s saved me a ton of money on professional facials and spa treatments, and is significantly less expensive than other red light therapy devices I’ve tried. I saw results after just one use, and my skin has continued to improve throughout the months I've been using the Solawave. As long as you plan to use the Solawave wand consistently, you will likely see similar results.
The takeaway
Despite my hesitation, I firmly believe the Solawave wand is worth the hype. My previously mentioned bride-to-be friend and I still periodically text each other about our "new" skin two years later, and my only regret is that we didn't get our devices sooner.