Skincare Devices on the Rise: Red Light Masks & High Frequency Wands

Once reserved for dermatology offices, skincare devices are now trending as at-home essentials. According to Spate’s Popularity Index, consumer interest is accelerating, with red light face masks and high frequency facial wands leading the charge. Both categories promise professional-grade results without the in-office price tag — and consumers are clearly ready to invest.

With Google and TikTok data showing double- and triple-digit growth, skincare devices are no longer niche gadgets. They’re shaping a new frontier in how consumers approach beauty: tech-powered, performance-driven, and highly shoppable.

Red Light Face Masks: A Growing Skincare Essential

Red light face masks leverage red wavelength light to target aging and inflammation, stimulating collagen, boosting circulation, and energizing cells.

• Trend Growth: +88.6% YoY
• Google Search Lift: +90.1% YoY
• TikTok Lift: +24.4% YoY
• Popularity Share: 98.4% owned by Google 

From luxury brands promising clinical-level results to budget-friendly Amazon alternatives, consumers are hungry for at-home treatments that save both time and money. Search insights reveal demand for comparisons and reviews of brands like Qure, HigherDose, and Omnilux — and a strong focus on discounts and retailer availability signals clear purchase intent.

High Frequency Facial Wands: Skincare Meets Technology

High frequency facial wands use electrical currents to stimulate collagen, fight acne-causing bacteria, and calm inflammation.

• Trend Growth: +17.7% YoY
• Google Search Lift: +22.2% YoY
• TikTok Lift: +11.7% YoY
• Popularity Share: 59.1% on Google (11.2K monthly searches); TikTok dominates with 1.0M weekly views
  
  

Despite growing buzz, many consumers remain uncertain about functionality and safety. That hesitation creates an opening for brands to educate — clarifying proper usage, dispelling myths, and offering proof of results. On TikTok, hashtags like #postpartumhairloss (693.6K weekly views), #collagenproduction (681.0K), and #finelines (677.4K) connect devices to broader beauty concerns, while 77.3% of TikTok views tie directly to TikTok Shop content. Leading the way: NuDerma, whose hashtag alone drives 292.4K weekly views.

Why Now?

Devices represent more than just skincare upgrades. They tap into cultural currents of accessibility, convenience, and empowerment. Consumers want professional-quality treatments at home — saving both time and money while embracing rituals that feel futuristic.

As beauty embraces “skinimalism” and multitasking solutions, skincare devices fit neatly into a broader shift: technology-powered self-care that simplifies routines while amplifying results.

The Bigger Picture: A Signal for the Future of Beauty

Skincare devices highlight several deeper shifts in consumer behavior:

• Education unlocks adoption: Clarity around usage and safety will accelerate mainstream trust.
• Shoppability drives conversion: TikTok continues to blend discovery and commerce seamlessly.
• Adjacent needs expand reach: Postpartum recovery, anti-aging, and skin health conversations create natural entry points.
  
  

The Opportunity for Brands and Retailers

This isn’t just a passing fad. Skincare devices are carving out lasting relevance, and the brands that win will:

• Educate to Differentiate: Build authority by answering the safety and efficacy questions consumers are already asking.
• Lean Into Shoppable Content: Short-form, engaging, shoppable videos will capture high-intent buyers.
• Target Adjacent Needs: Position devices within broader conversations like postpartum recovery, fine lines, and collagen health.
  
  

Looking Ahead

With red light masks and high frequency wands surging, the next wave of skincare devices is already on the horizon. The question isn’t whether consumers will adopt — they already have. The question is: which brands will lead the charge in shaping the future of at-home beauty tech?

To see what other devices consumers are loving lately, book a meeting with a Spate expert today.

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