Best at-home Radio Frequency devices for skin tightening

4. Sensica Sensilift easy, comfy & low effort schedule.
5. Silk’n Facetite / Titan simple & affordable, but lots of effort.

This small, handheld device sends an interchanging 1MHz and 1.25MHz bipolar Radio Frequency current into your skin’s dermis layer. There, this multi-RF current encounters resistance in your tissues and this creates gentle heat. This heat tightens your collagen fibres and stimulates fibroblast activity. Over the start-up course, this remodels your collagen & elastin scaffolding structures in your skin. So, your skin tightens and wrinkles smooth out. The increased collagen also firms, plumps and brightens too. Use it with the Tripollar preparation gel.

The STOP VX models differ from other RF devices because there’s also a Dynamic Muscle Activation (DMA) mode for use along the jawline. It’s called ELV in the US model. This is a mini Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) pulse working on your SMAS layer facial muscles, below the dermis and hypodermis. Tripollar says DMA strengthens these muscles to build volume and tone, and works with the RF to enhance lift and contouring along your jawline. Phew!

I’ve been keen to test the STOP VX because it can tighten sagging skin. I’ve used it now for over 3+ months. And I love my results, so I highly recommend this device. Keep reading to learn why.

Ease of use

The mains-power STOP VX is small, lightweight and with an attractive geometric design and mirrored surface. It’s robust and well-made, simple to operate, and comfy enough to manoeuvre around your face and neck. The long flexible cord doesn’t tangle or get in the way. 

To protect your skin, use it with the thick and sticky Tripollar prep gel. This helps the electrodes glide on your skin. It has quite a powerful scent, but you need just a few dabs and it doesn’t dry out.

The STOP VX models all have two pairs of large electrode nobbles (they’re gold-plated on the Gold models). There’s a small temperature sensor in the middle which adjusts the RF energy using Tripollar’s 3D Thermal Mapping control. This adapts the RF power up or down to match the different types and depths of tissue all around your face, for an even treatment. Choose from Low or high RF intensities. They both heat your skin so the surface reaches a maximum 40℃ / 104°F, but the high level is quicker to get it up to temperature.

The RF routine is simple. First, using a foundation brush, paint on a thin layer of the gel. Then warm each treatment area for 4 to 5 minutes, each with slow, overlapping circles all over the skin until it reaches temperature. 

You’ll see the orange light and hear a beep once it’s there. 

For the DMA routine, choose from low or high intensity then slowly swipe along your jawline for 5 mins each side.

It’s easy to get the RF flowing all around your face and neck. I like the soothing, massaging circles. And I love the warming sensation, especially around my cheeks, mouth and jawline. DMA mode, in contrast, feels like warm, teeny pinpricks in brief pulses. It’s an odd sensation, and it can pull your lips if too close to your mouth. But I find it totally bearable on the high level. 

The RF warmth leaves your skin feeling invigorated and pinky-red and plump afterwards. This fades gradually, and the next day it’s super-smooth and firm too, which lasts until the next session.

Once you’re finished, give the STOP VX a wipe and wash the gel off your face. Follow with your favourite serums and moisturiser. Or a hydrating and cooling sheet mask feels pretty lush too.

Schedule, effort & results

The STOP VX start-up schedule demands commitment to a few sessions per week. But it gives one of the fastest at-home RF treatments.

Use it two or three times per week for six to eight weeks. Each RF and DMA session is quick - it takes just 30 to 35 minutes for your full face and neck. I set aside a quiet, unrushed hour every other evening. It’s a relaxing, pleasant, wind-down routine before bed and you can do it as you watch TV too.

Your skin feels super-smooth and plump after each session thanks to blood flow boosting heat. And this lasts between sessions. Next, you’ll notice a radiant glow. But it’s over the course of 6 to 8 weeks that the effects build to give significant changes. Your skin tightens and refreshes your collagen and elastin, so it’s perky, tight, and bright. Fine lines and wrinkles fade and soften, and sagging skin tightens, plumps and lifts. I saw further tightening and lifting over the next month, too.

You may see all these changes, or just a few and of varying impact, too. Your age, genetics, lifestyle and skin condition determine the significance of your results. I recommend you take before and after photos to compare how your skin changes.

I love my results from the STOP VX. I have healthy, radiant, supple and hydrated skin. It’s exceptionally smooth and plumper, especially on my forehead and under eyes. But the key thing for me is it has tightened the loose skin under my chin👇.

Psssst…See my full Tripollar STOP user trial diary and more before vs after photos.

After completing the start-up of six to eight weeks, you can drop to a session once a week, or once every 2 weeks as you see fit. I do a top-up each week and they work to maintain results, and give me an extra bright-skin boost. 🥳

The negatives

There are a few negatives to consider with the STOP VX.

First, you must have enough spare time to commit to a few sessions per week for 6 to 8 weeks. But, compared to rival RF devices, it's one of the quickest to treat for your full face and neck. And you can do it as you watch TV too. Also, it gets much easier after the start-up stage with just one top-up needed every week or two.

Second, the angular shape could be a little more comfortable to hold. But it’s not so noticeable because you’re done before it gets too tiring anyway.

Next, there’s not much evidence supporting the effect and results of DMA mode. So, how much this improves your results isn’t clear. If this irks you (as it does me) you could instead consider the slightly cheaper STOP Desire with multi-RF, but without DMA mode. Or the CurrentBody Skin RF device is an excellent alternative, too.

Then there’s the Tripollar prep gel which costs around £30 for 50ml. That’s expensive considering it’s just glycerin and salt with a bit of added scent. CurrentBody offers a slightly better value alternative at £30 for 100ml. Regardless, you don’t need a lot, so the gel lasts for ages. After 3 months of use, I still have more than half my Tripollar gel left.

And finally, the STOP VX is pricey, one of the most expensive RF devices I’ve tested. For that, I want a long and reassuring money-back guarantee to test it out. You get 30 days if you live in the USA, but unfortunately nowt if you live in the UK, Europe or Canada.

Find more information on the Tripollar STOP VX models here. And you can learn how they compare to the other Tripollar STOP models too. If you think it's the device for you, please shop via my links (there's a special discount code just for you too!). I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same.  I really appreciate your support for my future reviews 🙏!

This small, handheld device sends 1MHz bipolar Radio Frequency current down to your skin’s dermis layer. Your tissues here resist the current and this creates gentle heat. The heat first tightens your collagen fibers. Then it stimulates your fibroblast cells to rebuild the mesh of skin-supporting collagen and elastin. This tightens, lifts, smooths, plumps, firms, brightens and fades fine lines and wrinkles too. Use it with the Current Body RF prep gel.

I’m impressed by the CurrentBody Skin range so far. So, I’m super keen to get my mitts on this and test it out. I’ve tested it for over 8 weeks now and I’m more than a little in love with it. Read on to learn why.

Ease of use

This striking, mirrored-silver device is comfy to hold because the rounded edges and precise width fit perfectly in hand. It’s lightweight but solid, with close seams and joins, and the long flexible power cord stays out of your way as you work. The smiley-face layout of the simple controls is a friendly touch too.

Use it with the clear and sticky CurrentBody Skin prep gel. This protects your skin and provides excellent slip for the electrodes. You don’t need a lot and it stays wet for ages. It’s super value too.

The treatment head has two pairs of large rounded electrodes with two temperature sensors below them. These sensors monitor your skin and adjust the RF flow up and down to keep your skin surface at the highest safe temperature of 43°C. You get low, medium and high RF intensities. All heat your skin to 43°C, but the lower levels take a little longer.

The routine is intuitive and easy. First, paint a layer of the gel on your skin. Then, starting with the first small area, cover it in slow, small circles or back-and-forth swipes. When the flashing green light goes solid, your skin is at the target temperature. And it works fast.

Keep going for 5 minutes so your skin gets the right dose of dermal regenerating heat energy.

I love the soothing, warm, gentle massage from the smooth electrodes. A bit of pressure feels good too. You can sense the heat fluctuate as you work, delivering just the right amount of energy to stay at 43 C. I especially like the sensation around my cheeks, but must concentrate more on my forehead. That’s because with less padding, it’s harder to keep all four electrodes in contact with your skin.

My skin feels invigorated and flushed for a short time afterwards from the increased blood flow. It also feels beautifully plump, firm and super-smooth for a day or so after each weekly session.

Schedule, effort & results

The CurrentBody Skin RF device is time intensive to do your full face and neck. But compared to rival devices, you need far fewer sessions during start-up.

Use it just once a week for 8 weeks. All treatment areas take a lengthy 1 hour and 10 minutes. So, I prefer a cosy, unrushed evening session in front of the TV. A regular Sunday or Monday date works best for me. Once I get going, the longer than average sessions don’t bother me because it’s auto-pilot easy, and a relaxing pamper time I rather enjoy.

Each session leaves your skin feeling smooth, plump and touchable. A few weeks in and there’s a healthy glow too. This slowly improves over the 8-week course as your collagen and elastin rebuilds. Your skin brightens, plumps, feels super-smooth and bouncy. Fine lines, wrinkles and pores soften and fade, and loose skin lifts and tightens. These changes may improve further over the next few months of top-ups too. 

Your results depend on your age, genetics, lifestyle and skin condition. Therefore, you may see all these results or just a few, and to varying significance, too.

Once you’ve finished the 8-week start-up schedule, you can switch to top-ups. CurrentBody recommends one every 4 to 8 weeks. However, you could do them more frequently, say weekly or every couple of weeks, if you feel you need them.

I love my results from the CurrentBody Skin RF, especially in the few days after a session. It keeps my jawline tight and lifts my under-chin sag just as well as the popular Tripollar STOP VX. And my complexion is noticeably firm, radiant and smooth, too.

The negatives

Here are the few cons I found with the CurrentBody Skin RF device.

First, although the device has a built-in 5-minute timer, the alert is easy to miss. As well as the solid orange light, an additional subtle haptic (such as a vibration) would make it foolproof. But you can simply set a separate timer on your phone to stay on track.

Second, each full face and neck session is time consuming, taking 1 hour and 10 minutes. But you only need one session per week. Decide if this suits you better than several shorter sessions spread throughout the week.

Next, if you want something to rejuvenate your lower eyelid, note you can’t use this device there.

And unfortunately, this RF device is not yet available in the USA. But hold tight because soon it will be once the FDA clearance approval is complete.

And finally, although not the most expensive at-home RF device, it’s still quite an investment. But for the cost, I think it’s exceptional value indeed. It heats your skin fast and gives an intensive but safe dose of RF, which works fast to tighten, smooth and brighten. Plus, you get a reassuring long 60-day money-back guarantee to try it out for yourself.

Find more information on the CurrentBody Skin RF here. If you think it's the device for you, please shop via my links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same. I really appreciate your support for my future reviews 🙏!

This small, handheld mains powered device targets lost volume and sagging skin in your cheeks and lower face. It sends painless 1MHz bipolar Radio Frequency current down to your skin’s dermis layer and creates gentle heat as it goes. This heat first tightens your collagen fibres, and then kick starts your fibroblast activity. So, each session rejuvenates your skin with a matrix of stronger, healthier collagen & elastin. It’s clinically proven to give you tighter, lifted, firm, plump and bright skin with softened wrinkles and lines. Use it with the protective NEWA lift gel.

This is a very popular device with rave reviews. And I agree. For my review, I tested the original NEWA RF device. There’s now also a cordless option that’s available in the US only.

Ease of use

The NEWA has a distinctive pale-green pearlescent finish. It’s lightweight at just 100g, but it’s well made with a familiar shape, just like an electric razor. It has precise curves and tapers that fit comfy in your hand. The controls are simple, intuitive, and clearly visible as you move. The flexible power cord fits snug in the base and won’t tangle or get in your way as you work.

Compared to rival at-home RF devices, the NEWA has a distinctive treatment head. There are 3 pairs of electrodes that look like slim silver staples. These electrodes are smaller than most, but precise and powerful. The layout and the clever RF tech repels or attracts the flow of current, driving it deeply and even throughout your skin layers. Except on your skin surface, where it repels the current to keep it cool and painless. It’s a scaled-down version of professional and patented 3DEEP® technology, developed by Endymed Medical Ltd.

Use this device with NEWA’s Lift gel. Keep your hands clean and apply it with the device tip. It’s wet but not sticky, provides conductivity and slip, doesn’t clump, and keeps your skin surface nice and cool. It’s decent value too, compared to rivals.

It’s very easy to use. Use the slider to choose either low or high RF intensity. Cover the electrodes in 2 strips of gel and spread it over the first treatment zone. Then, press the square power button so the light flashes blue. Draw small, slow circles all over the zone for 4 minutes. Keep going until you feel the buzz of the 4-minute timer as the RF automatically shuts off. Apply more gel to the next section and repeat.

You can’t feel the electrodes on your skin. Just a pleasantly warm, gliding sensation. Keep them moving. The progress light gives clear feedback on how you’re doing, changing from flashing blue to flashing green when your skin is at temperature. And I love the automatic built-in 4-minute timer. It vibrates to let you know when the time’s up. No other at-home RF device has this simple but helpful feature.

It’s fast to warm your skin too. My skin flushes pinky red as the heat floods my skin with more blood flow. It fades quickly afterwards. The RF feels lovely and warm, but level 2 never gets overly hot. It leaves my skin feeling deliciously plump and super-smooth. This lasts a couple of days until the next session. I have no pain or other nasty side effects.

Schedule, effort & results

Each session is fast, taking just 24 minutes for all 6 zones. Do 3 to 5 sessions per week for 4 weeks. I aim for 4 sessions, and plan in a pampering session every other day. It’s a pleasant and relaxing pre-bed routine that takes just a little concentration, so you can do it as you watch TV.

Skin feels super-smooth and plumped after only the first session. And it lasts better as you progress. Your collagen and elastin tighten and rebuild during the first 4 weeks of concentrated use. During this time, you’ll notice a smoother texture, tighter pores, plump, radiant, and bouncy skin. Then, wrinkles soften, scars fade, and loose skin tightens and lifts.

After 4 weeks, you can reduce to two top-up sessions per week. This is more frequent than rival devices. However, the quick and easy sessions don’t feel like a chore. It quickly becomes a habit if you schedule dates with your NEWA one at the weekend and another midweek.

You can expect your results to further improve after the first 4 weeks, for anything up to around 12 weeks of use. Your results depend on your age, genetics, lifestyle and skin condition. Therefore, you may see all these results or just a few, and to varying significance, too.

The negatives

The NEWA RF has a few negatives.

First, the gel is a little expensive. But you can save a bit if you buy gel bundles from MyNEWA.com (US only).

Next, unlike other at-home RF devices, you can’t use it on all facial areas. It’s designed for lifting loose skin on your cheeks and lower face only. If that’s all you need, it’s a top choice.

“Can I use NEWA on my forehead?

NEWA is not indicated for use on the forehead, thus results might be limited.”

From NEWA visual guide & FAQS leaflet

But if you want to plump out wrinkles and expression lines on your forehead, check out the Tripollar STOP or CurrentBody Skin RF devices instead.

And finally, in the US you can buy the handy cordless NEWA Plus model. But unfortunately, it’s not yet available in other regions, including the UK, Europe and Australia.

Find more information on the NEWA at-home RF here. If you think it's the device for you, please shop via my links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same. I really appreciate your support for my future reviews 🙏!

Find more information on the Sensica Sensilift here. If you think it's the device for you, please shop via my links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same. I really appreciate your support for my future reviews 🙏!

Find more information on the Silk'n FaceTite here. If you think it's the device for you, please shop via my links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same. I really appreciate your support for my future reviews 🙏!