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^TM Depuffing Wand, is making waves in the skincare industry. This ultra-portable, heat and cold treatment device is clinically proven to visibly improve puffiness around the eyes and 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 Depuffing Wand device’s clinical efficacy. [1]  

This article outlines clinical findings after a single use of the TheraFace Depuffing Wand and results after daily use of the device for four weeks. 

Keep reading to learn more about how the Depuffing Wand is clinically shown to improve objective skin health measures like puffiness, dark circles, skin elasticity, radiance, and firmness. Plus, hear what study participants noticed following both a single treatment and after using the product daily for four weeks. 

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 on 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 lymphedema. [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, like when you roll an ankle. When used on the face, it can help to reduce the appearance puffiness and undereye bags. 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. Reducing 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 

Because heat and cold therapy have strong science-backed benefits, researchers wanted to understand how delivering these temperatures through an at-home device could affect the skin. 

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 the 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, participants who use the TheraFace Depuffing Wand will have immediate improvements and improvements after 4-weeks of use in objective and subjective skin health outcomes. 

Study Methods 

Study Participants  

The study included 56-58 healthy adults depending on the outcome measured. The participants were 25-65 years old, with an average age of 44 and 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 (using the device once), as well as long-term benefits after using the device daily for four weeks. Clinical assessments were performed on study participants at three time periods: at baseline, 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.   

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. 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 and after 4 weeks of use. 

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 is clinically proven to improve dark circles, puffiness, radiance, elasticity and firmness after a single use. 

This clinical trial found that skin and facial health improved after using the TheraFace Depuffing Wand daily for four weeks. The TheraFace Depuffing Wand device is clinically proven to diminish dark circles and puffiness, improve skin firmness, and enhance radiance when used daily for four weeks.    

1. Depuffing Wand Decreases Dark Circles and Puffiness After a Single Use and After 4 Weeks of Daily Use  

Participants visibly improved dark circles and puffiness after a single use of the Depuffing Wand. Using VISIA®-CR Image Analysis, researchers found that:  

Participants also noticed a decrease in their dark circles and puffiness, with 65% of participants reporting notable improvements in puffiness and 43% noticing improvements in dark circles. 

After four weeks of daily Depuffing Wand use, participants visibly improved dark circles and puffiness. Using VISIA®-CR Image Analysis, researchers found that: 

Participants also noticed a decrease in their dark circles and puffiness, with 71.9% of participants reporting notable improvements in puffiness and 54.4% noticing improvements in dark circles after four weeks. 

2. Depuffing Wand Improves Radiance After a Single Use and After 4 Weeks of Daily Use  

The skin around the eyes appeared more radiant after a single use of the Depuffing Wand. Through Expert clinical grading, researchers found that skin radiance visually improved by an average of 3.2%, with 21.4% of participants improving immediately after using the device.   

These results were also noticeable to participants, as 56.9% of participants reported visual improvements in radiance around the eyes after a single use. 

After four weeks of daily Depuffing Wand use, participants visibly improved skin radiance. Using Expert Clinical Grading, researchers found that skin radiance visually improved by an average of 3.4%, with 23.3% of participants improving after using the device daily for four weeks. 

These results were also noticeable to participants, as 63.2% of participants reported visual improvements in radiance around the eyes after four weeks of daily use. 

3. Depuffing Wand Improves Elasticity After a Single Use 

Skin elasticity improved after a single use of the device. Based on Expert Clinical Grading, skin elasticity improved by an average of 1.6%, with 12.5% of participants showing improvement after one use. 

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.  

4. Depuffing Wand Improves Skin Firmness After a Single Use and After 4 Weeks of Daily Use 

Visual firmness of the skin improved after a single use of the device. Based on Expert Clinical Grading, skin firmness improved by an average of 4%, 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.  

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

Visual firmness of the skin improved after four weeks of daily use of the device. Based on Expert Clinical Grading, skin firmness improved by an average of 4.8%, with 39.3% of participants showing improvement.   

The Cutometer device viscoelastic measurements were also used to assess skin firmness. After a single treatment, skin firmness increased by 15.8%, with 89.5% of participants showing clinical improvements.  

Participants also self-reported improvements in visual firmness of the skin, with 66.7% reporting notable improvements after four weeks of using the device.   

Participants Self-Reported Improvements in All Outcomes After a Single Use and 4-Week Use of the Depuffing Wand 

After their first use of the Depuffing Wand and after daily use for 4 weeks, participants completed a survey on what they’ve noticed about their skin and their experience using the device. 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 

Skin Appearance 

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. After a single use of the Depuffing Wand, puffiness, dark circles, skin elasticity, firmness, and radiance improved.  

The device also showed significant improvements in participants who used the device daily for four weeks on puffiness, dark circles, firmness, and radiance.

References