If you have been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, you have seen the Solawave. It is the small, glowing red wand that celebrities and influencers use to “depuff” and “snatch” their faces. It promises a 4-in-1 spa facial in 5 minutes.1
But if you dig a little deeper into the world of light therapy, you will find the Lux Glo (officially the reVive Light Therapy Lux Collection Glō).2 It is less flashy, looks a bit more clinical, and costs significantly less.
I have used both. One feels like a luxury self-care ritual; the other feels like a targeted medical device. Here is the honest breakdown of which one deserves a spot in your skincare bag.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand | reVive Lux Collection Glō |
| Primary Function | 4-in-1: Red Light, Microcurrent, Warmth, Massage | 2-in-1: LED Light Therapy & Sonic Vibration |
| Light Spectrum | Red Light Only (630nm) | Red & Blue Light (Anti-Aging & Acne modes) |
| Target Issues | Fine lines, puffiness, serum absorption, “Glow” | Acne bacteria, specific wrinkles, spot treatment |
| Head Design | Rotatable Head (180°) | Fixed Round/Oval Head |
| Sensors | Smart Touch Activation (Turn on when touching skin) | Standard On/Off Button |
| FDA Clearance | FDA Cleared | FDA Cleared |
| Price Point | Premium ($169 MSRP) | Mid-Range ($79 – $99 MSRP) |
| Best For | Anti-aging & daily “glow” maintenance | Treating active acne breakouts & deep wrinkles |
My Experience With Solawave (Radiant Renewal Wand)
I admit, I was the target audience for the Instagram ads. I fell for the hype hook, line, and sinker.
The marketing promised me the “clean girl aesthetic”—that effortless, glass-skin look—and I bought the Solawave hoping to buy that lifestyle.
The unboxing experience is undeniably premium. It feels less like opening a skincare tool and more like unboxing an Apple product.
The wand is impossibly light, made of cool-to-the-touch aluminum, and the magnetic charging cable clicks into place with a satisfying snap.
It looks beautiful sitting on a bathroom vanity, which, let’s be honest, is half the reason people buy it.
I integrated the Solawave into my morning routine, specifically for those days when I woke up looking swollen and tired (usually after a salty dinner or a bad night’s sleep).
The first thing you learn is that serum choice is critical. If your skin is dry, the wand simply won’t turn on (it uses skin contact sensors). I started by slathering on a cheap hyaluronic acid serum. As soon as the head touched my damp cheek, it hummed to life.
The sensation is lovely. The “Therapeutic Warmth” heats up almost instantly to about 100°F. It doesn’t feel like a burning heat; it feels exactly like a warm stone massage. As I glided it upwards from my jawline to my ear, I could feel the tension in my masseter muscles relaxing.
However, there is a learning curve with the “glide.” You have to move slowly enough for the light to work, but fast enough that your serum doesn’t dry out. By minute three, my serum would usually become tacky/sticky, and the wand would start to drag rather than glide. I had to keep a spray bottle of water nearby to mist my face and keep things slippery.
Instantly: The results are visible, but they are temporary. After a 5-minute session (splitting time between left and right sides), my face definitely looked “snatched.” The combination of the heat and the physical massage stimulates lymphatic drainage, effectively pushing the fluid out of my puffy under-eyes. My skin also had a rosy glow, likely from the increased blood circulation.
Long-Term (4 Weeks): I used it 4-5 times a week. Did my deep forehead wrinkles vanish? No. But my skin texture looked smoother, and my expensive serums seemed to work better—likely because the warmth and galvanic current were helping them penetrate deeper than my fingers could.
The Verdict: The Solawave is a maintenance tool. It is a relaxing, luxurious ritual that makes you look better for the day ahead, but it won’t replace Botox or a facelift. It’s perfect for the person who wants to enjoy their skincare routine, not just get it over with.
Read More: My Thoughts On Omnilux Contour Face Mask
Pros of Solawave (Radiant Renewal Wand)
- The “4-in-1” Synergy:Solawave isn’t just a light. It heats up to a soothing ~100°F, it vibrates, and it uses galvanic current (a mild microcurrent).3 This combination does more than just treat wrinkles; it actively depuffs your face in the morning and pushes your expensive serums deeper into your skin. It feels like a mini-facial.
- Rotatable Head:The new “Radiant Renewal” model has a head that pivots. This is a game-changer for getting into the crevices around the nose and under the eyes. You can use it vertically for your cheeks and horizontally for your forehead.
- Seamless User Experience:There are no buttons. You just touch it to your damp skin, and it hums to life. It stops when you pull it away. It feels incredibly high-tech and premium.
- Travel Friendly:It is tiny (about the size of a razor) and comes with a magnetic charger and a travel case.4 It holds a charge for weeks of daily use.
Cons of Solawave
- Red Light Only:Solawave is strictly for anti-aging and inflammation (Red Light). If you have active acne or pimples, this wand won’t kill the bacteria (that requires Blue Light).5 In fact, the warmth might even irritate active cystic acne.
- The Price:At $169 (often on sale for ~$140), it is expensive for a small device.6 You are paying for the sleek engineering and the brand name.
- Requires “Slip”:You cannot use this on dry skin. It won’t turn on, and it will drag. You must use a conductive serum (they sell one, but aloe vera or glycerin-based serums work too).
My Experience With Lux Glo (reVive Light Therapy)
If the Solawave was a “luxury” purchase, the Lux Glo was a “panic” purchase. I bought it during a particularly bad flare-up of hormonal cystic acne—the deep, painful kind that sits under the skin and throbs. I knew Solawave’s red light wouldn’t kill the bacteria, so I needed the Lux Glo specifically for its Blue Light capability.
Right out of the box, the vibe is different. The Lux Glo feels like a medical device you’d find at a pharmacy. It’s white, plastic, and utilitarian. It doesn’t have magnetic chargers or touch sensors; it has a simple button that you click to cycle through the modes (Blue for acne, Red for wrinkles, or a combo).
Using the Lux Glo is fundamentally different from the Solawave. You don’t glide it around. You identify a problem area, place the light directly onto the skin, and hold it there—perfectly still—for 3 minutes until it beeps and turns off.
I have to be honest: It is boring.
Holding your hand up to your chin for 3 minutes feels like an eternity. Unlike the Solawave, there is no soothing warmth and no vibration (on my specific mode).
It is just a bright light shining on your face. I found my arm getting tired.
I eventually stopped standing at the mirror and started doing it while lying on the couch watching TV, just moving the device to a new spot every time the beep sounded.
While the experience was boring, the results were undeniable.
I used the Blue Light setting on a forming cyst on my chin. Usually, these take a week to surface and another week to heal.
- Day 1: I did two 3-minute sessions (morning and night). The throbbing pain stopped almost immediately.
- Day 2: The inflammation had cut in half. The bump was noticeably flatter and less red.
- Day 3: The pimple had essentially dried up without ever coming to a nasty head.
I also used the Red/Infrared setting on a stubborn scar. Because the Lux Glo uses actual Infrared (which goes deeper than standard Red light), I felt it did a better job at healing the deep tissue than the Solawave, though it took consistent “stamping” every night to see it work.
Pros of Lux Glo (reVive Light Therapy)
- Blue Light Capability (Acne Killer):This is the massive advantage of the Lux Glo. It usually comes with settings for Blue Light (to kill acne bacteria) and Red Light (for wrinkles), or a combination.7 If you are prone to breakouts, the Lux Glo is infinitely more useful than the Solawave.
- Stronger Light Intensity:While Solawave is gentle, reVive specializes in medical-grade LEDs. The light output on the Lux Glo often feels brighter and more concentrated. It treats the Lux Glo as a “medical device” first and a beauty tool second.
- Battery Options:Depending on the specific “Glō” model you buy, some run on AAA batteries (great for camping/travel where plugs aren’t available), though the “Lux Collection” is usually rechargeable.8
- Value:You can often find this for under $80. If you just want light therapy without the heat and microcurrent bells and whistles, this saves you nearly $100.
Also Read: My Thoughts On Mz Skin Limited Led Face Mask
Cons of Lux Glo
- No Heat or Microcurrent:You miss out on the “spa” experience. It doesn’t warm up, and it doesn’t give you that skin-tightening galvanic current. It is strictly a light and vibration tool. It doesn’t “feel” as good to use.
- Smaller Treatment Area:The head is often a small circle or oval aimed at “spot treating” a zit or a crow’s foot. Doing your entire face with a Lux Glo takes longer than gliding the long bar of the Solawave across your cheeks.
- Build Quality:It feels more “plasticky” than the aluminum-bodied Solawave. It feels like a tool you’d buy at a pharmacy, whereas Solawave feels like a tool you’d buy at Sephora.
Maintenance Tips For Skincare Wands
- Serum Choice Matters:For Solawave, avoid oils. Oils block the microcurrent. Use water-based serums (look for Aloe, Glycerin, or Hyaluronic Acid).10 For Lux Glo, you can use it on dry skin, but it glides better with serum.
- Cleaning the Head:Do not run these under water! They are water-resistant, not waterproof. Wipe the head with a microfiber cloth or an alcohol wipe after every use. Residue from your serums can build up and block the LED lights, making them less effective.
- Consistency is Key:LED therapy is not Botox. You will not see results in one day. You must use these devices 3-5 times a week for at least 4 weeks to see changes in collagen or acne reduction.
Comparison with other tools
- Solawave vs. NuFace:NuFace is a dedicated microcurrent device.11 It is much, much stronger than Solawave. If your main goal is lifting sagging jowls, get a NuFace. Solawave is for skin quality (glow/texture), NuFace is for muscle tone (lift).
- Lux Glo vs. LED Masks (e.g., Omnilux):Masks are hands-free and cover the whole face at once, but they cost $300-$400. The Lux Glo is a “spot treatment.”12 If you have $400, buy a mask. If you have $80 and just want to treat a few trouble spots, get the Lux Glo.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Generally, no. You should not use light therapy at the exact same time as photosensitive ingredients like Retinol or strong Vitamin C. Use the wand in the morning with a hydrating serum, and use your Retinol at night (or vice versa).
No. It is completely painless.13 You feel a gentle warmth and a buzzing vibration. If you feel a “zap,” your skin is too dry—add more serum.
This is a common confusion. Lux Skin is a budget brand heavily advertised on social media that sells very cheap ($20) wands. Lux Glo usually refers to the reVive Light Therapy line, which is higher quality and FDA cleared.14 Be careful with the $20 dupes; their light wavelengths are often inaccurate and ineffective.
Yes. There is significant clinical data showing that Red Light (at specific wavelengths like 630-660nm) stimulates collagen production and reduces inflammation.15 However, at-home devices are much weaker than office treatments, so they require daily consistency.
Conclusion
Here is the verdict:
Buy the Solawave Radiant Renewal Wand if:
You want a daily anti-aging ritual. If your main concerns are dullness, puffiness, and fine lines, and you want a device that feels luxurious and relaxing to use, Solawave is the winner.16 The combination of heat and massage makes you actually want to use it every day.
Buy the reVive Lux Collection Glō if:
You battle acne or want a targeted spot treatment. The Blue Light capability makes this indispensable for breakout-prone skin.17 It is a functional tool to fix a problem, whereas Solawave is a lifestyle tool to maintain a look.
Next Step:
If you decide on the Solawave, make sure you have a conductive serum (like a simple Hyaluronic Acid) ready, or the device won’t work out of the box.