In the world of skin-care devices, the Solawave and NuFace are among the most popular. It’s rare that I go a few days without seeing someone talk about the way one of them changed their skin for the better, whether I’m scrolling on skin-care TikTok or reading the Strategist. And while they’re both popular and can address similar skin concerns, ultimately, they work very differently.
So how does the NuFace work?
NuFace’s big draw is its ability to carve out facial features seemingly in an instant. A quick perusal of testimonials will show impressive transformations — jaws are sculpted, brows are lifted, cheekbones toned. There’s a few reasons for this. First, the way you use NuFace is very similar to the way you’d do a manual lymphatic-drainage massage, which helps with any fluid retention in the face. This helps to make your face look more toned and sculpted. But NuFace, unlike a gua sha or your hands, also uses microcurrent, a low-level electrical current that stimulates muscles and skin cells. When the NuFace makes contact with your skin, a gentle current is delivered beneath the skin with the help of a conductive gel and stimulates the cell’s energy output, or ATP. This helps your skin to produce more collagen, which helps skin to look smoother over time. The electrical current also causes muscles to contract, which acts like a workout for your facial muscles. With consistent use, microcurrent helps to build up the facial muscles in your skin, giving your face a more sculpted look. But it also offers a temporary, immediate lift. Beauty writer Erica Metzger told us she found the cheekbone-lifting effect to be “immediate” and it lasted for about two days.
And what about the Solawave?
Solawave is a convergence of skin-care trends in a single device. It’s an all-in-one, offering a mix of red-light therapy and facial massage in a portable stick. The main draw, though, is the red-light technology. Red light, a form of LED therapy, travels deep into the skin and stimulates collagen while reducing inflammation. It’s especially popular for acne and hyperpigmentation and can help to improve skin over time. There are two types of Solawave wands — the Radiant Renewal wand and the four-in-one Advanced Skincare Wand. The four-in-one Advanced Skincare Wand combines red-light therapy and microcurrent to address issues like hyperpigmentation and acne while also offering the lifting and toning benefits of microcurrent. Because it’s a smaller device, it won’t be as effective for full-face sculpting, but it can be helpful for smaller areas that the NuFace can’t get to, like the brow or lip. The Radiant Renewal wand is slightly pricier, has two additional LEDs, and uses galvanic current instead of microcurrent. Writer Diksha Basu is a fan and says the device is incredibly easy to use and that her face “glows” and her eyes “look much less tired than they feel.” Galvanic current, also known as direct current, uses low-frequency, consistent electrical stimulation, which allows your skin-care products to penetrate deeper into the skin. This technology paired with red-light therapy can be very effective for enhancing your skin-care routine, making your products even more effective at their job.
Which one is better for wrinkles and sculpting?
It depends on what you want to achieve. If the goal is to define your jawline or reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, then a microcurrent device like the NuFace is going to be your best bet. The experience of using a NuFace is similar to using a gua sha, except you let it hover over your skin for a bit longer to let the microcurrent do its thing. Choosing a device also depends on how much time you’re willing to spend on achieving results. While a single NuFace session will make you a bit more lifted and toned, the most significant results will only be achieved as a result of using it consistently at least a few times a week.
Which one is better for acne and hyperpigmentation?
If you want to address issues like hyperpigmentation or acne, then the Solawave is a better option. The red light helps to stimulate collagen production and reduce inflammation, which is ideal for helping with breakouts and discoloration. As far as which Solawave to use, that also depends on what you need. The Radiant Renewal wand is good if you’d like your skin care to work more effectively, while the Advanced Skincare Wand could be the best option if you want to target smaller areas the NuFace can’t effectively reach, like the eyelids or upper lip area.
Can they be used together?
Definitely, and depending on your skin goals, both can be useful. Samantha Mims, an esthetician at Brooklyn Face and Eye, uses them together, alternating depending on what she’s trying to achieve. For softly defining her facial features, she reaches for the NuFace, which she says delivers pretty instant results. “It’s great if you’re wanting to look a little bit more lifted and supported,” she says. She prefers the Solawave for smaller, more targeted areas like around the eye or brow, and for addressing skin concerns like hyperpigmentation and acne. “The built in red-light therapy helps with scarring and getting products deeper into the skin.”
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