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My 30s are now in full swing, but I am still on the journey of accepting that my skin doesn’t quite bounce back the way it used to. Yes, I have a lot less acne to deal with, but now my skin concerns include elasticity, fine lines, puffiness, and all the other joyous markers of getting older. And, while I’m not trying to fight time, I am trying my best to age like a fine wine.
Since I'm not quite ready to hop on the Botox bandwagon, I’ve been putting real effort into refining and investing in my skincare routine. That means adding serums that cater to fine lines like the Biossance Firm and Lift Dual Serum, treating myself to facials, and investing in high-tech at-home devices that keep my skin looking its best.
The most recent addition to my collection of at-home spa tools is the TheraFace Depuffing Wand. This handy little device has earned its place in my morning and night routine, and honestly, I use it between work meetings, too. I just love having it around.
Now, let’s get into the details. This versatile, travel-friendly wand is designed to be used anytime, anywhere. It’s incredibly easy to operate, featuring three cold and three hot settings controlled with just a click of the snowflake or fire button. Three clicks take you to the highest setting—no extra controls to worry about. The snowflake icon lights up blue and the fire icon red, with one to three dots indicating the intensity level, so you’ll always know exactly what setting you’re on.
I like to use contrast therapy, starting with the hot setting to open my pores and enhance the absorption of serums and oils. For best results, I recommend applying a richer moisturizer or facial oil to help the tip glide smoothly. While the wand doesn’t tug on the skin without it, the added product makes it easier to move across the face and helps protect delicate areas, like under your eyes, from unnecessary friction. Once I’ve treated my entire face, I switch to the cooling setting to lock in my skincare and tighten pores. It can rev up to its max setting in less than five seconds, and get to the other end of the temperature spectrum just as fast, which means I don’t have to do any waiting between treatments.
I use it similarly to how I use my stainless steel gua sha after I’ve finished—or even sometimes during—my hot/cold therapy, focusing on my cheekbones and jawline. I do think it helps give a more snatched appearance, and saves me from investing more time and energy into my already lengthy routine. It automatically shuts off after six minutes, but I often go through two or three full cycles because I find it so soothing.
It’s also a game-changer for headaches or those nights when you’ve had an extra glass of chardonnay. I turn the cold setting up to the max and hold the wand on my temples and behind each ear for a few seconds. I’ve found it more effective than an ice pack, with a gentler, less jarring sensation compared to a fully frozen ice roller.
I can easily travel with it, too. It has a cap to keep the stainless steel tip germ-free, and it’s about the size of a bottle of foundation, so it doesn’t eat up too much room in my bag (essential, since I usually only travel with a carry-on). Since it charges via USB-C, I don’t have to bring a dedicated charging cord, either; it just shares with my Kindle. It’s great to keep in your personal item for skincare pick-me-ups, saving yourself from post-flight dry skin.
There are only two real downsides to this wand. The first is the price—at nearly $200, it’s definitely an investment. That said, I believe it’s one that pays off. The second is the sound of the cooling setting at full power; it resembles a computer fan kicking into overdrive. It’s not exactly loud, but if you’re particularly sensitive to noise, you might find it a bit annoying.
All in all, the TheraFace Depuffing Wand is definitely a splurge and a luxury. If you’re looking to treat yourself, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Like me, reviewers can’t get enough of the TheraFace Depuffing Wand. They rave about how quickly it reaches both its hottest and coldest settings, and many say it works wonders on puffy under-eyes. The cold setting, in particular, gets high marks for feeling incredibly refreshing—and it’s a favourite among those who use it to ease headaches. While a few mention that the price feels steep, most agree the results make it well worth the investment.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes.