It was my lymphatic drainage therapist who first introduced me to the Theraface Depuffing Wand when she used it during my treatment back in November. As the warm metal glided gently across my cheek, I felt myself sink even deeper into my mid-treatment snooze; the tension I’d been holding in my jaw finally melting away. I made a mental note to get the details of this magic wand the second it was over. Two weeks later, it was added to my home skincare lineup, and I haven’t looked back since.
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For context, I’ve been booking in for lymphatic drainage massages every few months since January 2025 to help reduce inflammation, boost circulation and support my hormones. The results, for me, are immediate and genuinely game-changing. I arrive feeling sluggish, puffy and lethargic and leave lighter, brighter and more energised - all of which shows up almost immediately in my complexion.
But because lymphatic drainage works best when it’s used consistently, I’d started looking for ways to replicate those benefits at home. Enter: the Theraface Depuffing Wand. I’ve spent the last six weeks testing it every day (sometimes twice daily), and have thoughts. Ahead, everything you need to know.
What is the Theraface Depuffing Wand?
The Theraface Depuffing Wand is the third in a line of skincare launches to come from Therabody. Originally known for their percussive massage guns, the brand moved into the skincare space in April 2022 with the launch of the TheraFace PRO - a handheld skincare tool, which combined LED light and microcurrent therapy with cleansing and massage features. Since then, they’ve ridden the beauty tech boom and, in October 2025, announced the launch of the TheraFace Mask Glo - the second of their best LED face masks, fronted by none other than Kendall Jenner, the brand’s newest ambassador.
In the wave of red light therapy fandom, the Theraface Depuffing Wand has flown somewhat under the radar. Launched in September 2024, it’s a lightweight (112g to be exact), pocket-sized cordless device designed to contour and brighten the face, by using contrasting hot and cold therapy modes which range from 10 to 42 degrees Celsius.
How does the Theraface Depuffing Wand work?
Before we dive into my experience using the Theraface Depuffing Wand, a little on how it actually works. It’s based on the principles of contrast therapy; the delivery of hot and cold temperatures onto the skin to reduce inflammation, boost circulation and promote collagen production.
But unlike traditional contrast therapy, which uses saunas, icy water or cryotherapy chambers to expose the body to boiling and sub-freezing temperatures, the Theraface Depuffing wand works within a gentler range (the coldest setting is 10°C, whilst the warmest is 42°C), which is safer for the delicate skin on your face.
Importantly, there’s less clinical research exploring the anti-inflammatory effects of these milder temperatures, though one study published in The Journal of Dermatological Science did find that heat treatment between 40-42°C had the potential to repair wrinkles and skin sagging thanks to an up-regulation of collagen synthesis, whilst another paper notes possible anti-inflammatory effects of skin-cooling on skin conditions such as eczema.
I put the question to consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips, who explained that the lack of concrete evidence is down to the fact that most research into contrast therapy comes from sports medicine, which means that the findings cannot be directly applied to facial skin (which is thinner and behaves differently).
“Cold therapy does, however, have a plausible short-term effect on facial puffiness,” he says. “Cold causes blood vessels to constrict, which can temporarily reduce fluid build-up in the tissue. This is particularly noticeable under the eyes, where the skin is thin and prone to swelling.”
He warns, however, that the reduced puffiness we see after cold therapy is likely to be temporary and cosmetic, rather than truly anti-inflammatory. “Ice rollers can be a useful tool to reduce puffiness, especially in the morning, but they are not a long-term solution as once the skin rewarms, the swelling often returns,” he says.
My experience using the Theraface depuffing wand
Aware of the scientific limitations of the device, but buoyed by the results I’d seen in my lymphatic drainage treatment, I was excited to get started with my own trial. I had a headstart in learning how to use the wand, thanks to the expert tutorial I’d received from lymphatic drainage therapist, Olivia Johnson, when she used it in my treatment.
But even if I hadn’t had that insight, a scan of the QR code on the box led me to a short tutorial that taught me almost everything I’d need to know. For a devotee of the 3-step simple skincare routine, it’s perfect. There are no additional attachments or complex setup processes involved.
In short, you use the cold setting whenever you feel puffy (which for me is usually in the mornings), and the warm setting following your serums or moisturiser to aid product absorption and support lymphatic drainage. You can play around with the routine that works for you, and can stack the hot and cold treatments back to back if you have a little more time to spare.
Most mornings, I used both the hot and cold settings to see the full effects of the product’s capabilities.
Before each use, I cleansed my skin with a gel cleanser, before applying a light serum and moisturiser. I then began with the heat setting, turning it to the warmest of the three settings. The temperatures range between 35 and 42 degrees, so my choice was based on personal preference.
Working from the middle of the face outwards, I followed the natural indentations of my skin to move the device outwards and upwards as Johnson had shown me. This direction of movement is designed to counteract the effects of gravity on the skin and moves fluid in the direction of the lymph nodes to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
It’s here that the design of the Theraface Depuffing Wand really comes into its own. The angled metal head is designed to fit into the natural crevices of your face, such as the corner of your eye and underneath your cheekbones and jawline.
It makes the whole process feel soothing and natural, provided your skin has enough moisture to work with. It’s why, for me, it didn’t work to use the product between my face serum and my moisturiser, as my skin was too dry and the device didn’t glide easily across my skin.
After three minutes, the device flashes orange to indicate that you should switch to the other side of your face. You can’t actually see the light unless you’re sitting in front of a mirror, which would present a challenge if you’re trying to use it on the move or at your desk. But for me, it became a really mindful part of my skincare routine, and I enjoyed watching the ritual unfold in front of me, as it helped me feel fully present and calm ahead of the day.
After six minutes of heat therapy, the device turns itself off. After allowing the fan to cool, I then turned it back onto the cold setting, repeating the movements, this time to depuff the skin. As Johnson suggested, I paused between strokes to dab on particularly puffy places on my skin.
The cold setting was definitely my favourite of the two, and on the mornings when I was pushed for time, I skipped the heat step in favour of the immediate depuffing effect of the cold.
On my first day of using the Theraface Depuffing Wand, I could literally see the swelling melting away before my eyes. Halfway through the treatment, I turned to my friend, with whom I was staying at the time, and asked her if she could see a difference between the two sides of my face - needless to say, she could.
As the month went on, it became more challenging to notice the day-to-day effects as the accumulation of the daily treatments was contributing to an overall less swollen impression. But that’s exactly what I was hoping for - that after around three weeks of use, I was actually waking up less swollen and with less obvious dark circles.
One thing to note: there is a noticeable lack of instructions to accompany the Theraface Depuffing Wand, so I had to really dig around in search of cleaning instructions. I have acne-prone skin, and I was worried that repeated daily use during a flare-up could spread bacteria across my face.
Eventually, I found a PDF user manual online which provided the answers to my cleaning concerns. The brand suggests using an antibacterial wipe to clean the metal applicator tip, which should then be left to completely dry before using.
“Use a solution containing less than 70% alcohol or an antibacterial wipe on the metal tip only,” says Tim Roberts, VP of Science and Innovation at Therabody, when I put the question to him. He also warns not to use alcohol or antibacterial wipes on any other part of the device.
Roberts also reassures me that this kind of thorough cleaning doesn’t need to be done every time you use the wand. Every one to two weeks is his recommendation, depending on how often you use the product. Between each treatment, he does suggest wiping the tip of the applicator with a soft, damp cloth to remove any debris or moisture from your skincare products. “If gel, lotion, or debris gets into the air intake, gently remove it using a dry cotton swab,” he adds.
The Theraface Depuffing Wand is a cordless, rechargeable device which uses a standard USB-C cable. The brand says that each battery cycle should last 38 minutes, which equates to around six, six-minute uses. In my experience, however, this was a little temperamental, and my battery life tended to last between 25 and 30 minutes.
That meant I was charging the skincare tool every two to three days, depending on whether I used a six or twelve-minute cycle. Keep in mind that it also doesn't warn you when the battery is low, so there were quite a few times the battery would die on me mid-treatment. This was a touch frustrating, but definitely didn’t outweigh the benefits I saw and felt over the six weeks. I just tended to get into the habit of putting it on charge after every second treatment, with a full charge requiring around 90 minutes.
Theraface Depuffing Wand FAQs, answered:
Does the Theraface wand help with lymphatic drainage?
The short answer here is yes, temporarily, as Johnson explains. “Stagnant lymph fluid in our faces can cause swelling and puffiness over time,” she says. “But this fluid can be moved, helping to reveal your bone structure underneath.”
She explains that the contrasting hot and cold therapy applied by the Theraface Depuffing Wand helps this movement of fluid to take place. “The heat helps to relax the muscles and open the lymphatic pathways,” she says, “whilst the cold contrast stimulates the lymph vessels and reduces puffiness.”
The overall effect? “Skin detoxification, facial sculpting, reduced eye bags and an overall glow,” Johnson reports.
Reminder: as Dr Phillips explains, these effects are likely to be temporary, and once the skin rewarms, puffiness will return. That said, if, like me, you include it as part of your daily skincare routine, you’ll notice the puffiness mostly stays at bay.
How often should you use the Theraface wand?
The Theraface Depuffing Wand can be used as often as you like, and the brand recommends using the cold setting in particular whenever you feel you need a little depuffing.
It’s compact enough to take with you, so it can even be used on the move, at your desk or post-flight, when dehydration, inactivity and a change in air pressure can increase swelling. But for the best results, daily use is recommended, by both Therabody and Johnson. “Immediate effects such as depuffing and improved circulation can be seen after a single session,” says Roberts, “but to get the most from the device, it is designed to be part of your daily skincare routine.”
“I personally use the wand each morning to iron out facial lines I get after sleeping,” adds Johnson. My routine fell into a similar rhythm. It became a staple step in my morning skincare routine, after moisturiser and before SPF. On nights when I had a little more time for self-care, I sometimes added an additional treatment before bed to help me wind down.
Is the Theraface depuffing wand safe for everyone?
For most healthy adults, the Theraface Depuffing Wand is entirely safe, thanks to its non-invasive application and mild temperatures. That said, it’s not suitable for those with open wounds or rashes on their face, or for anyone with hypertension, deep vein thrombosis or bone fractures.
If you’re pregnant, diabetic or managing osteoporosis, it’s always best to check with your doctor before using the device.
Is the Theraface Depuffing Wand worth it?
There’s no disputing that the Theraface Depuffing Wand is significantly more expensive than a standard ice roller or gua sha. At £129, it’s an investment, but actually, for the results it delivered, I think it’s a fair price.
Ice rollers warm to your skin’s temperature within one to two minutes; something you don’t have to worry about with the Theraface Depuffing Wand. It’s also far more convenient, given that it doesn’t require any freezer storage. For someone as disorganised as me (who is forever forgetting to put her ice rollers back in the freezer), that’s a godsend. Plus, it means the wand can come with you everywhere, with very little in the way of accessories, cables or weight.
But the real reason I’d recommend the skincare tool? The results. I saw a noticeable reduction in puffiness and dark circles over the six weeks of testing. As two things I was previously self-conscious about, this was a revelation that made me feel more confident when I looked in the mirror first thing.
There’s also how the ritual itself made me feel. That is: relaxed, deeply soothed and lighter around my eyes, where I was previously carrying a lot of heaviness and tension.
My advice? Don’t expect it to dramatically or permanently change the shape of your face; even non-invasive professional salon treatments would struggle to do that. But if you’re someone who’s looking for subtle brightening and swelling reduction, coupled with a soothing daily ritual to cool your skin, I’d be the first to suggest this handy little tool.
