A pre-red carpet favorite of celebrities including Reese Witherspoon and Pedro Pascal, the Solawave facial wand touts some hefty anti-aging claims—from smoothing textured skin to blurring fine lines and wrinkles. While a million different devices on the market claim to transform your complexion, more often than not, they’re just a lot of hype. But the Solawave Radiant Renewal wand ($169), a recently upgraded version of the TikTok-famous device which launched last year, has pleasantly surprised me. It’s a little bit different from the OG tool beloved by my fellow PureWow editors, and after testing it for just two weeks, I can confidently say that it packs a powerful punch in my skincare routine. Wondering if it’s actually worth the splurge? Read on for my full review of the 4-in-1 gadget (including my before and after photos), along with everything you need to know about it.
I Tried The Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand and It Transformed My Skin Texture in Just 2 Weeks
Meet the magic wand for your face
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Solawave
How Does the Solawave Wand Work?
The Solawave Radiant Renewal wand is a skincare device that combines four facial treatments into one small wand: red light therapy to "rejuvenate skin from within," galvanic current to "boost absorption of serums and creams," low vibrations to depuff and "boost the skin's natural radiance" and therapeutic warmth to "temporarily de-puff the skin." It’s meant to be used on cleansed skin paired with a serum (like the new Solawave Skin Therapy Activating serum, ($29) or moisturizer to help it glide smoothly over your face for up to 12 minutes per session.
What Are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy and Galvanic Current?
Let's dive a little deeper into the two standout technologies used in the Solawave wand. The first is LED light therapy. Per the Cleveland Clinic, "LED light therapy uses various wavelengths that correspond to different visible colors. Each color penetrates the skin at different depths." Clinical studies suggest that red LED light can help repair skin by boosting new cell growth, increasing circulation and even stimulating collagen production, resulting in the improved appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. Effective wavelengths for red light therapy range between 620 and 900 nanometers; the higher the wavelength, the deeper and more powerfully it penetrates skin. (According to Solawave, the wand uses red light at a wavelength of 630 nm.)
Galvanic current, meanwhile, is a form of electrotherapy that delivers low-voltage electric currents to the skin in order to gently stimulate the cells, essentially kicking their repair processes into high gear. As DermApproach explains, galvanic current also "uses positive and negative ions to attract and repel charged particles on the skin, allowing for better absorption of skincare products." Yes, that all sounds very "mad science-y," but studies confirm that it's an effective method of introducing topically applied medications deeper into the skin, all while promoting increased circulation, skin healing and lymphatic drainage.
Solawave
What’s the Difference Between the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand and the Original?
The new Solawave Radiant Renewal wand is a bit more powerful, and in my opinion, more user-friendly than the OG. The Radiant Renewal wand features seven LED lights compared to the original’s five, and 180-degree head rotation to get into more nooks and crannies, while the original only rotated 90 degrees. The updated device uses the aforementioned galvanic current instead of microcurrent, in order to permeate skin for deeper product absorption. Additionally, the new Solawave wand has an on/off button, whereas the original only powered on when making contact with your skin (unfortunately, that led to some issues if skin wasn’t moist enough). It also has a built-in timer that pauses the vibration every three minutes, to help alert you that it’s time to move sections on your face. Lastly, the new device has an external magnetic charging port, which makes it more water-resistant.
My Review of the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand
Pros
- Easy to use
- compact
- travel-friendly
- tackles multiple skin concerns at once
Cons
- red light can bother eye
- magnetic charging port disconnects easily
Solawave
- Value: 18/20
- Functionality: 18/20
- Ease of Use: 20/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Results: 19/20
Total: 95/100
I’d consider myself a skincare device connoisseur. My vanity is scattered with multiple red light masks, microcurrent tools, gua sha stones, facial rollers—you name it, I’ve tried it. So after hearing good things about the Solawave wand, which combines multiple technologies into one sleek tool, I knew I wanted to give it a whirl. Last year, I purchased the original Solawave wand during Amazon Prime Day and started integrating it into my device rotation. I liked how easy and quick it was to use, and the fact that I could target specific areas with the red light, from dark spots to under-eye bags. After using it for a while, I did notice a slight decrease in the appearance of fine lines on my forehead, and felt that after each treatment, my face looked glowier and more awake.
So when I had the opportunity to test the new and improved Solawave Radiant Renewal wand, I jumped at the chance. With two more LED lights compared to the original, and a different mechanism of electrotherapy (galvanic current vs. microcurrent), the equally sleek and compact device promised to do more for my skin in the same short amount of time.
When I received the Radiant Renewal wand from the company, I was delighted to also find a convenient travel case in the box, which my original wand didn’t come with. I was also sent the Solawave Skin Therapy Activating serum that the brand recommends using as a conductive gel on the skin with the device. Upon using it for the first time, I allowed the wand to fully charge for two hours, per the instruction manual, then I applied the serum to my freshly cleansed skin (without fully rubbing it in, as skin needs to stay slick) and turned on the device.
I immediately noticed that the red light glow was brighter than the original, and when I put it on my face I felt that the vibration was a tad more powerful. I turned the head horizontally before moving the tool in sections over my jaw, cheeks and forehead in an upward and outward motion towards my hairline. When using it under my eyes, I locked the head in a slightly diagonal position to get into the tighter crevices. I passed over each section of my face about ten times.
The instruction manual recommends applying the serum to one section of your face at a time, where you can use the device for up to three minutes (12 minutes total over your face). I prefer to go over my entire face each pass, however, and in doing so I did notice that the serum tends to dry out, requiring additional application. I eventually started applying the Solawave Solabiome Nourishing moisturizer ($36) over the serum when using the device, which lasts a bit longer, but you can use any oil-free serum or moisturizer so long as it keeps your skin moist and allows for an easy glide. (One caveat to this: You should avoid using harsh acids or retinol products in concurrence with red light therapy, though you can apply them following the session.)
After my very first treatment with the upgraded Solawave Radiant Renewal wand and serum, my skin felt soft, smooth and somewhat tighter, and my cheekbones looked slightly more defined and lifted. I’ve now used the device almost daily over the course of two weeks, usually after washing my face in the evening. From its soothing warmth to its light vibrations, the tool, first and foremost, just feels good, making me want to pick it up every chance I get. But it also led to real results.
Since I’ve started using the Solawave wand diligently, my skin texture has definitely become softer and more supple, while my complexion looks more even-toned and glowy. The wand has also helped tackle my puffy under-eyes in the morning after one too many glasses of wine the night before, leaving them smoother and brighter. Furthermore, my skin feels more hydrated and looks less dull overall, which may be a testament to the claim of galvanic current increasing product absorption. As a result, the fine lines and creases that reveal themselves when my skin is parched have been less noticeable. I’ll also say that I haven’t gotten a single blemish or breakout in the past two weeks.
I only have two complaints about the wand. The first is that the red light shines into my eye when moving the device to each area of my face, which can cause some discomfort. To prevent this, you can shut it off before moving it to a new location, but I just try to look away. Secondly, the new magnetic charging port can disconnect quite easily since it’s not fully plugged in, so it’s important to charge the device in a spot where it won’t be touched or accidentally bumped into.
FAST FACTS
- No. of LED lights: seven
- Red Light Wavelength: 630nm
- Current: galvanic current
- Battery Life: 90 minutes
How Long Until I See Results from the Solawave Wand?
For optimal results, Solawave recommends you use the device for up to 12 minutes a day (three minutes per area of the face) at least three times a week. While results will vary from person to person, many users (including moi!) claim they notice smoother, brighter and less puffy skin, as well as a reduction of dark spots and wrinkles, within the first two weeks of use, while 97 percent of users in the brand’s trial saw visible results by the fourth week.
When my colleague, PureWow Commerce Editor Olivia Dubyak, tried out the original wand, she said that she saw an improvement in her problem areas after a few weeks. “Since using the Solawave, my fine lines are less noticeable, and my dark circles are lightening up. I’d never had an issue with dark circles until I started working from home at the start of the pandemic, and the Solawave has been a wonderful aid in minimizing the appearance of them,” she adds.
Are There Any Downsides to Using the Solawave Wand?
As I mentioned, the LED light can cause some discomfort if it shines into your eye, and according to the brand, “perception of flashing lights during the use of the wand, resulting from the stimulation of your optic nerve” may occur. If it persists when not using the want, you should stop using it and consult a doctor. Additionally, skin redness or irritation may occur if your skin is sensitive to the LED light, so it’s recommended that you do a patch test on a small area before completing a full treatment. You should also avoid using the tool on or around swollen, infected or inflamed areas of skin, and on the front of your neck and throat.
Is the Solawave Wand Worth the Money?
The Solawave Radiant Renewal wand typically rings in at $169. While that’s certainly no small price to pay for a single skincare product, I do believe it’s worth the investment given the noticeable results. Considering the higher price of comparable devices (the Dr. Dennis Gross LED light mask, for example, costs $455) or professional facial treatments, it’s practically a steal (especially while it's on sale with code RED35).
See the Solawave Wand in Action
In the above episode of Testing TikTok, PureWow creator Kate Kesselman tests the original viral Solawave Skincare Wand for two weeks. In the video, Kesselman talks about how she desperately wanted to have rejuvenated skin after (*ahem*) a few late nights of staying up, watching rom-coms and eating pizza. “So, I’m hoping this works some magic,” she says. “People are saying they see results in two weeks. So we are going to put that to the test.” Watch the video to see it in action.
Is There Anyone Who Shouldn’t Use the Solawave Wand?
According to the brand, you should consult your dermatologist before using the device if you’ve recently had botox or fillers, or have skin conditions like rosacea. You should not use the device if you’re pregnant, under the age of 18, have any medical device implants like a pacemaker or defibrillator, have cancer or are at risk of having seizures. For a full rundown of contraindications, head to the Solawave FAQ section.
