9 Best Home RF Skin Tightening Devices
Whether you’re looking to prevent or eliminate wrinkles and sagging skin, one of the best RF skin tightening devices will do the trick. Well, not all of them. You still need to stick to a healthy diet, exercise, and use your anti-wrinkle products rigorously, from supplements and creams to serums or super-charged ampoules. However, using an at-home skin tightener may actually be the perfect addition to your anti-aging routine for several reasons.
Unlike topical products that work on the surface of the skin, these anti-aging tools use low-energy radiation to go deeper and heat the dermis (the middle layer of the skin). It is this heat that boosts collagen production and helps improve wrinkled and sagging skin. [1] Better yet, most devices require less downtime, lower cost and require no recovery than in-office lifting treatments – although the results will not be as dramatic.
While popular skin tightening treatments include radiofrequency (RF), HF, laser, LED and ultrasound, experts agree that RF is the best non-surgical treatment. “Currently, RF represents the gold standard for treatments designed to tighten the skin in a non-invasive manner,” reveals Abraham MT, past president of the New York Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery. [2]
The best skin tightening devices include:
TriPollar Stop Vx
Silk’n Titan At-Home Skin Tightening Device
MLAY-RF01 Radio Frequency Machine
NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device
ZIIP Beauty Facial Device
Sensica Sensilift
Newa Skin Tightening Device
Orlaya Skin DermaDeep RF
TriPollar Stop Eye
How does radiofrequency treatment work?
Radiofrequency treatment uses energy waves to heat the deeper layers of the skin between 122 and 167 °F. When this temperature is sustained for at least three minutes, it activates the release of heat shock proteins, which leads to an increase in collagen and elastin fibers. This enhances skin firmness and elasticity, reduces wrinkles, and promotes faster wound healing. [3] Thus, RF devices are an effective anti-aging solution for a variety of skin problems, helping to contour the body, tighten the skin, tone facial muscles, and reduce sagging and wrinkles while promoting a tighter complexion. [1]
For reference only, all other skin lift procedures work on the same principle as heating the skin tissue. However, in contrast to lasers and phototherapy, which are not applicable to darker skin tones, RF energy is color blind and therefore suitable for all. [3]
How effective is it?
Research has found that RF therapy can effectively improve sagging skin in as little as one week. It provides almost immediate results because collagen production occurs immediately after treatment. [4]
Are RF skin tightening devices safe?
Because RF uses low energy, it is considered suitable for home use. In addition, RF devices have been approved by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. However, there are some side effects you should be aware of after treatment, such as tingling, redness, rash and temporary swelling. [5] To minimize them, apply conductor gel before treatment so that the device can glide easily over the skin. Applying a hydrating moisturizer to the treated area afterwards will also help speed up the skin’s recovery process.
In addition, it is recommended that you take the following precautions to ensure safe treatment at home:
Do not use chemical peels or laser peels two weeks prior to treatment.
Do not perform microdermabrasion before one month.
Do not use retinol, benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or other exfoliants for two to three days after the procedure.
Do not use RF on active infections, acne or sun damage.
Avoid IPL/laser procedures in the treatment area.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption two days prior to treatment.
Do not use RF if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have been taking isotretinoin (Accutane) for the past six months.
Avoid treatment if you have an implanted metal device or body piercing in the treatment area. This is also true if you have a cardiac arrhythmia or any other serious known heart or autoimmune disease.
If any of the above apply to you, it is best to consult your doctor to confirm your suitability for treatment.
The best home skin tightening devices
Considering you are a qualified candidate, here are the best at-home skin tightening devices that use radiofrequency and other lifting procedures to deliver top-notch results. Our team researched over 100 products and the results prove these to be the most reliable choices. Each of the previously featured devices is FDA-approved, customer-favorite, tested in clinical trials, uses a variety of technologies to increase efficiency, and has optimal energy levels to ensure a safe experience.
PS: Our list is constantly updated to reflect the latest prices and new releases on the market. We make every effort to ensure it is up-to-date and accurate, and to provide the best advice.
TriPollar Discontinues Vx
TriPollar Stop Vx is a multifunctional skin tightening device that uses two technologies to smooth the skin and target loss of elasticity and firmness. First, it uses alternating radio frequency waves to evenly distribute heat into the skin, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. In addition, cutting-edge electronic vibration technology accelerates blood flow and targets muscles to increase their strength. In short, the device delivers salon-like results at home in as little as one month. It’s also FDA-approved, travel-friendly, easy to use, and comes with a moisturizing gel to enhance results.
Silk’n Titan Home Skin Tightener
The Silk’n Titan is another high-end device that you can use at home to tighten your skin and blur sun spots and age spots. It uses not one energy source, but three to get the job done and deliver unparalleled results, including radio frequency, infrared heat and LEDs. this combination shrinks and rebuilds collagen and elastin fibers and targets precise areas under the skin to activate the body’s natural repair process. [6]
Don’t just take our word for it – Silk’n Titan’s effectiveness has been proven through multiple clinical studies. In an independent blind review, 96% of participants experienced a significant reduction in wrinkles after 20 bi-weekly sessions with no adverse side effects.
You can use it on your entire face and neck, including forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and puffy eyes, with no recovery period. In addition, with its cordless design, you can now enjoy the freedom of caring for your skin anytime, anywhere. PS: If you are a beginner, start with the first energy level and gradually increase it until you reach a level of heat that is comfortable for your skin.
MLAY-RF01 RF Machine
The MLAY-RF01 sounds and looks like one of those devices doctors use in their offices, and frankly, it’s the closest you’ll get to a professional treatment without leaving your home. It features a precision design that incorporates advanced RF technology and an energy regulation system that precisely adjusts the device’s energy output to your skin’s temperature. This means that the energy level of the device is constantly monitored to avoid overheating problems and to ensure that you get the best results without any adverse side effects.
For normal skin, the recommended frequency is once every four days. However, if you have dry skin, more frequent treatments, such as once every two days, may be required to maintain optimal results. Once the desired level of skin tightening is achieved, you can reduce the frequency of treatment to once every two weeks to maintain the results.
The only drawback of MLAY-RF01 is that it is not suitable for travel.
NuFace Trinity Facial Toner
Unlike other skin tightening devices, the NuFace Trinity stimulates the skin with gentle micro-currents that produce lifting and firming results almost immediately (and it’s also travel-friendly and FDA-approved). If you prefer a multitasking device, it’s great because it has interchangeable face and neck attachments to improve facial contours, plus an additional eye and lip attachment that’s perfect for fighting puffiness, dark circles and laugh lines. It’s so effective that in one clinical trial, the NuFace Trinity improved 85% of facial contours and made 80% of skin smoother after one month of regular use.
ZIIP Facial Tightener
The ZIIP Beauty Device is the most advanced anti-aging solution created by Melanie Simon, a pioneer in microcurrent and nano-current technology. Why is it so special? Well, Melanie is known as the “Nikola Tesla of facialists” because of her ability to harness electricity in skin devices used for lifting. This is how ZIIP was created, using a unique technology not used by other brands, called waveform.
Basically, the device delivers customized low-level electrical currents that mimic the body’s own natural electrical signals. These electrical signals stimulate the skin and subcutaneous tissue, helping to increase blood circulation, contour the face, enhance collagen production, soften rough texture, and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
Not only that, the device is beginner-friendly and comes with a mobile app that allows you to choose from seven different facials. It also comes with step-by-step videos to provide a convenient, effective, safe and comfortable experience throughout the treatment.
Sensica Sensitivity Lift
Sensica Sensilift is an FDA-approved device with a new generation of radiofrequency technology that stimulates the production of proteins and modifies existing ones. More precisely, it is a dual-action treatment that massages the skin to stimulate blood flow while delivering radiofrequency energy to penetrate different layers of the skin and repair damaged tissue.
It provides a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own home, effectively targeting crow’s feet, sagging and drooping skin, wrinkles and cellulite. In addition, it can be used on any part of the body, including the cheeks, forehead, décolletage, eyes and hands. The conductive gel (included in the package) allows the device to glide easily over your skin.
Most reviewers report healthier, happier skin after using Sensica Sensilift consistently for a month, twice a week. Even with the higher price tag, it’s worth saving for. Be sure to get one when it’s available, as the device usually sells out within a few weeks.
NEWA Anti-Aging Skin Tightening Device
The Newa is a popular choice for beginners, people with sensitive skin, or those who just want to test RF power without spending a dollar (it offers a 30-day money-back policy). It’s also the first product of its kind to receive FDA clearance for home use and to demonstrate anti-aging benefits in clinical studies. Even the FDA tested Newa, clearing it as an effective skin tightening treatment. the FDA concluded, “The benefits of the Newa device are based on the clinical performance testing provided, and the improvement in patient wrinkle severity reduction scores was dramatic.”
In short, this aesthetic tool uses a multi-source RF technology called 3DEEP, which uses six separate energy generators to control the flow of energy sent to the skin for optimal results. Immediately after each treatment, you will see your skin become smoother and firmer.
Orlaya Skin DermaDeep RF Pro
This is slightly different from other RF skin tightening devices. Made with monopolar technology (the technology used in professional salons), Orlaya Skin DermaDeep RF Pro uses a single electrode, which allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin than devices with two electrodes. This means it offers enhanced benefits in restoring collagen and elastin, tightening the skin, and smoothing wrinkles, fine lines and crow’s feet. Not only that, but the purchase includes a serum you can use prior to treatment to ensure optimal conduction of RF into the skin, as well as two interchangeable attachments to target different areas of the body. It’s an all-in-one solution for tightening your skin at home.
TriPollar STOP Eye
If your goal is to eliminate puffiness, crow’s feet, dark circles and laugh lines, then the TriPollar Stop Eye is the perfect choice for you. That’s because the device is specifically designed to renew and regenerate the delicate skin around the eyes, lips and nose in just 4 minutes per treatment area (enough to provide benefits without damaging the delicate skin). The purchase also includes a gentle moisturizing cream that makes the treatment more pleasant and reduces side effects.
How to use the RF Skin Tightener at home
Connect the headset to your device. Typically, the smaller ones are used on the skin around the eyes, mouth and nose, and the larger ones are used on the rest of the face and body.
Apply an even layer of conductive gel or serum to the entire area to be treated.
Choose the power level that is appropriate for your skin. If this is your first time using the device, start at the lowest power level and gradually increase the power level as your skin adjusts.
Turn the device on and move it slowly and gently in small circular motions around the treatment area. Do not apply firm pressure or rub the skin.
A complete facial usually takes 10-20 minutes, depending on the device, and you will need to repeat the treatment once or twice a week.
Turn off the device and wash off the conductive gel or serum from your face. Also, be sure to clean the device after each session.
Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser and apply a moisturizer (preferably containing ceramides, fatty acids or hyaluronic acid).
Who should use an RF skin tightening device?
Generally speaking, people who are suitable for RF treatments are those between the ages of 35 and 70, those with early signs of aging, and those with sun-damaged skin. On the other hand, avoid RF if you have an active device implanted in your body, or if you are taking acne medication such as Accutane.
In addition, if you have Fitzpatrick skin type I (fair, pale skin) or type V (brown to dark brown) or type VI (very dark to black), it is best to talk to a professional before using an RF device. This is because the safety and effectiveness of RF for people with lighter or darker skin tones has not been fully established, so it is best to proceed with caution, just in case.
How to prepare your skin for the treatment
Before using the treatment, all you need to do is wash your face with a mild cleanser to remove impurities and debris, and apply a conductive gel to ensure proper connection between the electrodes and your skin.
How to care for your skin after the treatment
After the treatment, follow up with a moisturizing serum to quench your skin’s thirst and a moisturizer to protect it. Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, squalane, niacinamide and peptides are all ideal for use after an RF treatment. For the next week, keep your skin well hydrated and avoid products containing AHA, BHA or retinol.
Frequency of device use
As a general rule, the skin tightening device should be used 2 to 5 times per week for 10 to 15 minutes each time to provide optimal results. However, you should read the device’s instructions and follow them accordingly.
After the treatment is completed, the skin will maintain collagen production for one to six months, after which it will begin to decrease. This is why you can still use the device from time to time to keep your skin firm once you are satisfied with the results. It is also important not to overuse the treatment. It takes time for the skin to fully repair. Overuse of the skin tightening device can hinder the process and you may lose progress.
Quick Facts
According to research, RF is suitable for most skin types and skin tones.
Home skin tightening devices require daily or multiple weekly use compared to clinical devices that typically require use every six months.
Radiofrequency increases collagen production immediately. However, the results do not last long and collagen production decreases after one to six months. This is why you should have regular treatments.
The frequencies used range from 1MHz to 6MHz and the power ranges from 40W to 240W, all of which are considered safe for home use. Most RF machines adjust the power according to the area to be treated.
The depth of energy penetration is inversely proportional to the frequency. In layman’s terms, lower frequencies can penetrate deeper into the skin.
Ideally, do not expose your skin to the sun or tanning beds for at least three days after treatment. And use sunscreen daily!
The bottom line
This completes our list of the best home skin tightening devices. To ensure value for money and skin safety, purchase products only from reputable brands and check that they are FDA-approved for home use. Remember, you are more likely to get the desired results when you adhere to the treatment. Read the device’s instructions carefully and follow them accordingly. If the device has a 1 in 1000 chance of causing excessive redness or swelling, pain or persistent discomfort, stop the treatment and cool the affected area with cold water for a few minutes. If redness persists for more than 24 hours after treatment, consult your physician – there is no room for discussion.
