High Frequency Treatments

WHAT IS HIGH FREQUENCY FOR SKIN CARE?

HISTORY

High Frequency was invented by Nikola Tesla in the 1890’s during the era when he and Thomas Edison were working on harnessing electricity and changing all of our lives with the invention of light.

If you watched the film “The Current War”, you will recall the debate and divide between the two different currents proposed to light the world; Thomas Edison’s Direct Current (DC) and Nikola Tesla’s Alternating Current (AC). The major concern at the time with electricity was reach and safety. People had been killed touching the new Edison DC power lines and this caused great public safety concerns. Tesla took his AC technology and developed it further, including its use and treatment of the human body.

TESLA TREATS HIMSELF

Tesla was apparently hit by a Taxi in New York, instead of going to the hospital, he went home and treated himself with his “Violet Ray Machine” and claimed he cured himself. As word spread of Tesla’s miracle wand and people began using it for every ailment they possessed, this furthered the miracle concept. Keep in mind in 1900, we are still 28 years from discovering Penicillin, thus this device was a miracle! It could kill bacterial infections without pain, helping treat strep-throat, acne, eczema, psoriasis and the stimulation of the skin helped those in chronic pain.

It appears that at some point, around the 1930’s these Violet Ray wands have a falling out as the rise of modern medicine, including antibiotics emerges. These wands are considered to be offered by quacks, not by “real doctors” and people begin to lose interest. Keep in mind that, although in 1900 this wand helped with strep-throat and other issues, in 1930 we have penicillin and it’s more effective and thus people move away from this technology.                                                    

Violet Ray

“When the Violet Ray became popular with the public, doctors and the FDA started to despise them. At first the Journal of the American Medical Association published promising therapeutic results in articles. Then it printed an article about a man who deliberately short-circuited his violet ray and electrocuted himself. This implied that the device was dangerous and should be outlawed. The [1920] Depression put the companies that made violet rays out of business and the devices became unavailable. Consequently, electro-therapies became unpopular in the United States. Since then, the use of High Frequency has declined as a medical tool, just as all non-drug therapies have.” (Excerpt taken from this video)

Around the 1980’s, Tesla’s High Frequency wand begins to rebound in use for different studies. And by 2000, High Frequency wand’s are being produced and used in medical spa’s for facials.

Now, it’s 2021 and these handheld devices are everywhere, very inexpensive and available for the at home consumer once again. After 120 years not much has changed, except today we order from Amazon instead of the Sears Catalog:)

WHAT DOES HIGH FREQUENCY DO?

A high frequency facial is a type of skincare treatment that helps to treat a variety of skin issues including acne, fine lines, wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness under the eyes. Utilizing a safe and gentle electrical current through a facial machine. The high frequency facial has been proven to stimulate new cell growth and renewal while improving stubborn skin issues and providing an overall healthier appearance.

ACTIVE ACNE High frequency makes skin more receptive to topical acne treatments and destroys the bacteria that causes acne in the first place. Acne topicals should be applied after treatment, not prior.

HOW DOES HIGH FREQUENCY KILL BACTERIA?

The 2 primary action’s of high-frequency current is Thermal and Oxygen creation. The thermal heat and the creation of oxygen assists in killing stubborn acne bacteria under the skin. Relieving even the most stubborn of acne conditions like cystic acne and reducing and shrinking the problem to lessen the severity and duration of the breakout.

FINE LINES & WRINKLES The high rate of oscillation increases blood flow and circulation to the area, renewing the skin cells and nourishing the surface. High frequency increases oxygen to the skin, improving the overall texture, tone, and glow. All of this promotes collagen stimulation and elastin production, providing a firmer and more youthful appearance.

DARK CIRCLES & UNDER EYE PUFFINESS The oscillation produced by high frequency aids in lymphatic drainage and helps to evenly disperse excess fluid. This pulsating action increases blood circulation under the eyes and results in a reduction of dark circles and puffiness. This circulation rush has been proven to be very effective in reducing these common signs of tiredness and aging, providing a brighter and more youthful appearance.

SKIN REJUVENATION High frequency machines are extremely gentle and safe, and are a non-intrusive tool for common skin issues. They have been credited with treating acne, improving fine lines and wrinkles, tightening sagging skin, and reducing dark circles and eye puffiness.

WHY ARE HIGH FREQUENCY DEVICES  VIOLET OR ORANGE?

These are the High Frequency devices I have, and I’ve yet to find major differences in them. True, some have a 3 prong power plug, which is suppose to mean it is more stable and powerful, but in the end I’m not sure it makes any difference in the outcome. Other’s come with multiple glass probes, some filled with Neon gas that glows red/orange, while others are filled with Argon gas that glows violet/blue.

The initial thought was that the argon gas probes were best for treating acne because of their ability to kill bacteria, however recent studies have determined that either argon or neon perform equally and that it is the blood circulation and stimuli to the skin that encourages improvement.

I purchased the Pure NuDerma Clinical recently as it has the fusion of both gases in their probes. Again, I don’t think this really matters, but because I am a “skin care and device hoarder” I could not resist, plus it’s my job to try all these devices and provide you insight. Heads up, we will play with the Pure NuDerma Clinical soon on a future Amazon Live together:)

I go LIVE on Amazon on Tuesday and Thursday at 2pm PST, if you follow my Amazon Influencer storefront you can scroll to the bottom of the subcategories and at the bottom you will see the most recent past Live and you will get notifications of when I go Live by clicking “follow” on my Amazon Influencer Page🙂

MORE HIGH FREQUENCY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

IS HIGH FREQUENCY SAFE?

Hight Frequency wands are safe for skin care use, according to the FDA. The current produces an agreeable tingling on the skin’s surface as it increases oxygenation in the form of Ozone (O3).

WHICH SERUMS CAN BE USED WITH HIGH FREQUENCY?

Anti-aging

For Anti-aging High Frequency Facial use a non-oil based product that will hydrate your skin and which contains peptides and or epidermal growth factors.

Acne

For Acne High Frequency Facial you will want to have the skin cleansed and dry. Lay the gauze over your face and treat your acne dry. Afterwards, add your Retin A or acne treatment such as a salicylic acid serum.

DO YOU HAVE TO USE GAUZE WITH HIGH FREQUENCY?

The more oxygen that you allow around the electrode, the more effective it is. This is why using gauze is so essential. … Putting gauze over your face or the area in which you’re using high frequency, allows a gap from your skin to the electrode creating more space for the ozone to form and kill bacteria.

I’ve not always used gauze when I’ve used High Frequency in the past. However, now that I understand that the gap helps to create more O2 which helps stimulate more blood flow in skin, I will now use gauze.   

TIP for keeping gauze mask on for DIY facial. I use bobby pins or clips to attach the mask to my hair, this keeps it from falling down as most of use DIY friends will be standing vertical in front of a mirror.

DO YOU NEED TO GROUND YOUR HIGH FREQUENCY?

I have different videos on YouTube of me using my High Frequency devices and sometimes I will get people commenting that I am reckless because I don’t ground my device. They mean that I don’t always place my finger on the glass probe before touching it to my skin. I believe this has to do with people first being concerned about a shock, and further I believe this is a concern if you are treating others. For instance, if you are an esthetician giving someone a high frequency facial then I too believe you should first tough your finger to the probe so that you don’t initially shock your client. This is a reasonable practice because no one when getting a facial wants to be shocked.

All my protocols and methods are for treating myself DIY. I don’t mind if I shock myself, which let’s be clear this is not like shocking yourself in the outlet, it is a little zap and then the device is grounded to your body. You can touch your finger to the glass probe before touching your face and you will eliminate this initial zap. Sometimes I remember to do this and other times I don’t. For me it makes no difference and I’ve never had any issues from the zap.

Further, one of the things I love most about my High Frequency wand for myself is the hair comb for stimulating my hair growth. As you can imagine you are brushing your hair, and this means you are placing the comb in, pulling thru and then releasing. I never try to ground in this application because it would slow me down and just make it more complicated. Remember, this is my concept for DIY use and not for use on others.

WHAT ARE HIGH FREQUENCY CONTRAINDICATIONS?

High Frequency will not be used to treat over areas of broken capillaries, spider veins and rosacea. Do not use if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker or history of heart disease, or are prone to seizures from flashing lights, such as epilepsy. Do not wear any metal jewelry during high frequency treatment.

I don’t always remove my metal jewelry during sessions. I think it is a good idea, but I am not the best at this. Although, I’ve not had issues from wearing jewelry while I have performed High Frequency this does not serve as evidence that metal jewelry can be worn during this treatment and you should make the best informed decision for yourself.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I USE HIGH FREQUENCY?

A high-frequency machine can be used daily or every other day depending on your skin type and time of year.

Because of the O2 that High Frequency creates, this can be drying to more mature skin types or those who have dry skin. This can be amplified in the winter due to cold air drying your skin.

If you have oily skin and get a lot of break outs you can use more often. If you find yourself drying out and becoming flaky, reduce your frequency of sessions.

HOW DOES HIGH FREQUENCY KILL ACNE BACTERIA?

Because of the active oxygen’s negative charge it combines with the filth in the body, oxidizing it, then it’s flushed out in the bloodstream. All the waste in your body excretes – whether through urination, bowel movements, sweating, spitting, shedding skin – are composed mainly of four basic elements – hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and sulfur. If combined with oxygen, natural oxidation processes will turn these into H2O, CO2, NO2 and SO2. These are, respectively, just the chemical names for water, gaseous carbon dioxide, the toxic gas nitrogen dioxide, and the acidic gas sulphur dioxide. In this way additional toxins leave the body. Applying the Violet Ray stimulates this vital “detoxification” process and kills the acne causing bacteria.

If you are treating your skin with acne control in mind, using the gauze to create more space between the probe and your skin creates more acne killing O2.

ARE ELECTRONS ANTIOXIDANTS?

It is proposed that free or mobile electrons from the earth can resolve chronic inflammation by serving as natural antioxidants. A High Frequency wand pushes electrons into your skin cells. Free Radicals are angry because they lack an electron, this makes them search and attempt to steal electrons. By driving more electrons into your skin, you thereby neutralize Free Radicals just like Antioxidant serums, creams and pills. Antioxidants are effective because they have an extra electron that they like to give up, this is how they too make free radicals neutral and happy.

DOES HIGH FREQUENCY HELP HAIR GROW?

High frequency improves hair growth through various different mechanisms. First, it stimulates the hair follicle thereby helping the growth of new hairs. Second, it improves blood circulation and provides sufficient nutrition to the growing hairs.

I have personally been using these devices with a hair growth serum 2xs per week to help stimulate my hair follicles, in order to encourage new healthy growth and prevent more hair loss as I age.

If you suffer from dry scalp you will want to use a serum to help moisturize as High Frequency can be drying.

Thus, in theory yes this is suppose to help with hair growth, however, I have not personally noticed an improvement yet.

Kim Pratt

See Full Bio