Clinical Study Partner: Media Lab Science, Los Angeles 
Authors: Therabody Scientists: Tim Roberts, MSc; Rachelle Reed, PhD, MS, ACSM-EP; Kyle Silvey, PhD, CSCS; Michelle Darian, MS, MPH, RD, LDN 

Therabody’s ® latest innovation, the TheraFace Depuffing Wand, is making waves in the skincare industry. This ultra-portable, heat and cold treatment device is clinically proven to enhance elasticity and radiance at home and on the go.   

Media Lab Science, Therabody’s research partner for beauty and skincare devices, conducted a study to assess the TheraFace Depuffing Wand device’s clinical efficacy. [1]  

This article outlines clinical findings after just one use of the TheraFace Depuffing Wand.  As results from the four-week trial of the daily use of TheraFace Depuffing Wand are available, they will also be included in this blog.  

Keep reading to learn more about how the TheraFace Depuffing Wand is clinically proven to enhance objective skin elasticity, radiance, and firmness. Plus, hear what study participants noticed following a single treatment. 

What Does TheraFace Depuffing Wand Do?  

The TheraFace Depuffing Wand is a single skincare device with two powerful, science-backed modalities — heat and cold therapy.  

Each modality has three temperature settings: low, medium, and high. Unlike ice, which can be too cold and damage your face’s delicate skin, TheraFace Depuffing Wand uses safe, science-backed temperatures. This skincare device reaches desired temperatures in seconds and actively works to maintain the temperature for the entire treatment. 

So, why were these two modalities included? Let’s dive into the science-backed benefits of heat and cold therapy and their application to the skin.  

Heat Therapy 

Heat therapy, also known as thermotherapy, exposes a treatment area to high temperatures for therapeutic purposes. A rise in skin temperature leads to the widening of blood vessels (vasodilation), increasing blood flow and boosting circulation to the treatment area. This allows heat to help relieve facial tension. [2]  

When heat is applied to the face, blood flow and increased circulation can improve measures of facial health like fine lines. It also stimulates fibroblasts to enhance collagen production and target skin tightness and fine lines further. [3, 4] 

A recent systematic review also suggests that heat may positively benefit lymphatic circulation (the movement of fluids that contribute to puffiness) in those with lymphodema. [5] 

Cold Therapy 

Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, exposes a treatment area to low temperatures for therapeutic purposes. Cold therapy is traditionally used to decrease inflammation and swelling, such as a rolled ankle, but it can also be used on the face, where puffiness and undereye bags can arise. In fact, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends using a cold compress to help reduce under-eye bags. [6] 

When cold is applied locally to a treatment area, it decreases skin and tissue temperature, effectively limiting blood flow to the area. This is especially beneficial because temporarily limiting blood flow can decrease the formation of swelling. When cold is applied to the skin, it can limit blood flow, decreasing inflammation levels. [7, 8] 

Study Purpose 

Using a 10-minute protocol that includes both heat and cold therapy, the study aimed to investigate the impact of TheraFace Depuffing Wand device for its ability to improve both objective clinical measurements and self-reported facial health outcomes.  

The primary goal of the study was to measure the immediate, acute benefits of the Wand on outcomes related to depuffing, radiance, dark circles, and related measures – both objectively and subjectively. 

To better understand long-term benefits of using the TheraFace Depuffing Wand, the study also aimed to measure the chronic benefits of 4 weeks of daily use of the Wand on outcomes related to depuffing, radiance, dark circles, and related measures – both objectively and subjectively. 

Study Hypothesis 

After following a heat and cold protocol, TheraFace Depuffing Wand will yield both immediate improvements and improvements after 4-weeks of use in objective and subjective outcomes. 

Study Methods 

Study Participants  

The study included 58 healthy adults ages 25-65 years old, with an average age of 44. Participants skewed female (88%). All Fitzpatrick Skin Types were represented in the sample. At baseline, the participants presented with either dark circles, puffiness, or both.   

Research Design 

A comprehensive clinical study on the efficacy of the TheraFace Depuffing Wand was conducted to understand both acute benefits of one time use of the product, as well as long-term benefits after using the device daily. Clinical assessments were performed on study participants at two time periods: after a single use of the device and after using the device daily for four weeks.  

Study Protocol 

Participants followed a study protocol that included both heat and cold therapy. The 8-10 minute treatment was performed on clean, dry skin. Participants were instructed to follow the protocol below.  

Data Collection 

Clinical data was collected from participants through multiple collection modalities: Visia®-CR imaging, expert grading, and Cutometer® MPA 580 instrumental device.  

Visia®-CR imaging is a quantitative skin complexion analysis and visual assessment of facial features like facial contour, spots, and pores. [9] The Cutometer® MPA 580 instrumental device measured skin elasticity and firmness. [10] 

Participants completed self-assessment perceptual surveys, including 21 questions at baseline and 28 questions after week 4, each assessed on a 5-point Likert scale. The questions asked about self-perceived skin appearance, including outcomes like changes in fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness, and radiance.   

Surveys were administered twice, after the first treatment and after four weeks of consistent treatment. The results discussed here reflect only the survey responses after the first treatment. 

Clinical before and after images, as well as UGC-style content, were also collected.   

Data Analysis  

The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test to compare average baseline measurements to those after a single treatment. Questionnaire data was analyzed using a z-test for proportions. The confidence level was set at 95%. 

Ethics 

This study was conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki principles, the applicable regulatory requirements, and according to the Good Clinical Practices (Document of the Americas and ICH E6: Good Clinical Practices). 

Study Findings + Discussion 

This clinical trial found that skin and facial health improved after a single treatment using the TheraFace Depuffing Wand device following the protocol above.  

The TheraFace Depuffing Wand device demonstrated its ability to improve radiance around the eyes and elasticity and firmness in the cheekbone areas.    

Participants also self-reported notable improvements across all 21 questions related to changes in their skin following use of the device.   

Depuffing Wand Improves Radiance Around the Eyes 

Expert clinical grading found that skin around the eyes appeared more radiant after using the TheraFace Depuffing Wand (p<0.001). Skin visually improved in radiance by an average of 3.2%, with 21.4% of participants improving immediately after using the device.   

Participants also self-reported improvements in radiance, with 56.9% reporting notable improvements. 

Depuffing Wand Improves Elasticity in the Eye Area 

Based on expert clinical grading, skin elasticity significantly improved after a single use of the device. The elasticity in the cheekbone area improved by an average of 1.6%, with 12.5% of participants showing improvement (p=0.048).  

The elasticity of the epidermis (the top layer of skin) was also assessed using the Cutometer device viscoelastic measurements. After a single treatment, skin elasticity improved by 13.6%, with 91.2% of participants showing clinical improvements (p<0.001). 

Depuffing Wand Improves Firmness in the Eye Area 

Through expert clinical grading, the visual firmness of the skin in the cheekbone area improved after a single use of the device (p=0.003). The appearance of skin firmness improved by an average of 4% (p<0.001), with 25% of participants showing improvement.   

The Cutometer device viscoelastic measurements were also used to assess skin firmness. After a single treatment, skin firmness increased by 7.9%, with 78.9% of participants showing clinical improvements (p<0.001).  

Participants also self-reported improvements in visual firmness of the skin, with 77.6% reporting notable improvements after a single use.   

Participants Self-Reported Improvements in 21 Outcomes After Using the Depuffing Wand 

After their first use of the Depuffing Wand, participants completed a 21-item survey that asked about their reported experience using the product. Here’s what they noticed:  

Reduced Puffiness 

Eyes Looked More Well-Rested and Awake 

Eyes Felt Lifted and/or Contoured 

Reduced Dark Circles 

Ease of Use 

Good for Massage + Less Facial Tension 

Improve Skin Firmness 

Enhance Radiance, Revitalize, and Rejuvenate 

Smoother, Less Fine Lines and Wrinkles 

Key Takeaways 

This study showed that the TheraFace Depuffing Wand, with two science-backed technologies in a single device, was clinically validated to improve objective measures of skin health after a single use. Notable improvements include elasticity and firmness around the eye area, as well as radiance around the eyes. The results of using the TheraFace Depuffing Wand daily for four weeks are coming soon!  

References