TikTok's Holy Grail: Tower 28 SOS Spray Actually Saved My Skin

First Impressions Of The Solawave

The Solawave wand claims to “reduce the appearance of fine lines, dark circles, blemishes, and puffiness” using a combination of non-invasive science-backed red light, microcurrents, and warmth to target them. I really was drawn to its non-invasive quality, and based on the many TikToks I watched of people using the Solawave, it looked way too easy to be true.

On first impression, I liked how compact the Solawave wand was. It wasn’t nearly as bulky like other red light therapy masks I’ve tried, which is especially pleasant since I could take it on-the-go. The red light component of the Solawave even turns to the side so that it fits nicely in the included carrying case (a true makeup bag must-have).

The process of using the Solawave turned out to be just as easy as I initially thought. After a quick charge of 10 minutes, a single press of a button, and 5 minutes worth of moving the wand in an upward motion all around my face, the routine was complete.

The Process Of Using The Solawave Wand

The Solawave delivers its treatment in several ways: red light, a vibrating microcurrent, and gentle heat. I honestly didn’t expect the red light to be as strong as it was, considering how small the wand is. I found that the light was vibrant and strong, and since I had to hold it up right against my face to use it, I felt confident that my skin was receiving a thorough red light therapy treatment.

The vibrating microcurrent felt really relaxing on my face. According to Solawave, these currents help “boost your skin's ability to absorb serums and creams.” I most consistently used it in conjunction with the Solawave Skin Therapy Activating Serum, which is recommended to amplify the wand’s performance, but I really didn’t observe much absorption from it. I only noticed a nice level of absorption when I used the wand with my trusty Kiehl’s Ultra Face Cream – with this power duo, my skin felt even more hydrated than if I had just used the face cream on its own.

Finally, the warmth of the wand also felt supremely relaxing. This higher-temperature treatment claims to play a big role in rejuvenating the skin, and boy, did I feel rejuvenated. My only bone to pick with this aspect of the at-home treatment was I found the heat got more and more intense with sustained use (more than 3 minutes), and became a bit distracting from the overall experience. It wasn’t necessarily hot to the point that it’d burn me, but when I found it unpleasant, I knew it was time to turn off the wand.

Generally, the Solawave is super easy to use and provides a pleasant at-home skincare experience. Since it’s non-invasive, it’s pretty low-risk to use it yourself, which I am all for!

The Results!

Now, let’s talk about the results. I feel like my face looks quite the same before using it as it does after, but that may be due to the length of time I've been using the Solawave wand. More than anything, I wanted to use it to target the fine lines around my mouth and eyes. I wanted to see some lift! I haven’t observed a massive change in those zones yet.

That being said, I still observe that my skin is glowier and more awake after using the wand for a few minutes. I definitely prefer using the Solawave with a layer of moisturizer than the included serum since it helps my skin absorb that good, good moisture.

The Verdict On The Viral Solawave Wand

Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand

The latest iteration of the Solawave wand currently retails for $169 on Amazon, which can be a little jarring, depending on your skincare budget. The way I see it, that amount of money is what I’d be paying for a single facial treatment out of the house (ew, leaving the house?!). So, being able to self-administer similar treatments consistently for the one-time price of the tool is definitely worth it in my eyes. Sure, it may not perform at exactly the same caliber as your professional facialists’ microdermabrasion tool or red light mask, but given the product’s claims and price, there’s endless value in doing it yourself.

What's the biggest myth about hormonal acne?

I love relying on TikTok to find cute matcha drink recipes to remake, but I know some of the skincare advice shared on the app shouldn't be followed. But there's one thing in particular Gronich isn't a fan of.

"The biggest myth about hormonal acne is that you have to be on birth control in order to solve it. This myth is all over social media, but I believe it comes from the medical world not really understanding hormones and having to rely on prescriptions to override them."

Would you believe me if I told you she's not wrong? I've been on birth control off and on since I was teenager, but I've yet to see it get to the root of my acne problem!

What are different types of hormonal acne?

Did you know not all hormonal acne stems directly from your period? According to Gronich, "there are many different triggers" for it with "the most common ones being stress and high sugar or processed foods" because they "impact our hormones." However, that's not all!

"Also extremely common is PCOS, estrogen dominance, progestin-related acne from certain birth control controls like the hormonal IUD, and then there is another type of hormonal acne caused by the vitamins and supplements we take," she adds. Going a step further, Gronich says "certain vitamins and supplements can spike testosterone or interfere with other enzyme processes that throw off our hormones."

I guess this is why my doctor always recommends I consult with her before taking random tablets so I'm not disrupting anything in my body!

Why do I see breakouts on my forehead, cheeks, or chin sometimes?

Remember the face mapping tool we were introduced to years ago? There's truth to them which is why Gronich created a Pore-Clogging Ingredient Checker for you to get more insight about what you're putting on your skin. But back to what your breakouts are trying to tell you!

Given Gronich's experience, she knows "different areas of the face can represent different parts of the body." She sees "hormonal acne most on the chin and jawline" because "we have the deepest hair follicles there." Want to know what this means for our body's reaction to certain foods and products?

"Dairy has insulin-like growth factor hormone so many people who consume dairy regularly get hormonal acne right on their chin. Some people are taking too much vitamin B 12 which throws off their hormones and you see it on the jawline," she says.

Then there's our relationship with using a ton of beauty products. Gronich is firm about telling "people to remove pore-ingredients from their skin care ad makeup" because "acne that's all over your face" is the direct result of "something that's being put all over your face." Not being aware of what we're using "will flare with our PMS cycle, so we accidentally think it's hormonal," accodring to her. But nope!

"...it can also just be caused by those hidden pore-clogging ingredients," she states.

Okay, how do I treat what feels like hormonal acne?

No matter your skin type, there's a few ingredients you can use to treat hormonal acne over time. "People can treat their hormonal acne with mandelic acid, and spot treatments like sulfur," Gronich shares. She also says, "Benzoyl peroxide can be a useful tool as well but must be used carefully so as not to over strip the skin. Don't take this advice lightly because I accidentally created more issues when I used this haphazardly.

If you don't want to use Benzoyl peroxide, she says you try "ice rolling." The amount of times you can use this tool depends on your skin type. "...if you are oily, you can use these treatments every day."

How do I treat dark spots left over from hormonal acne

Gronich's tips for treating dark spots are making me rethink my shower habits because I've been doing the opposite of what's considered helpful for my skin. She says, "Avoid using hot water in the shower as it continually inflames the skin and further damages the delicate scar tissue!" Furthermore, you can "use anti-inflammatory products," according to her.

"Serums that contain hyaluronic acid can be very helpful, as well as gentle massaging to activate circulation which stimulates our wound healing response in the skin. Red light therapy can also be fantastic for scarring, along with professional micro needling treatments," she remarks.

Michelle Randolph teases '1923' season 2 finally gives us answers to the Dutton family tree.

By the end of season 2, Michelle Randolph says "we might be able to fill in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, which is a very hot topic for internet users! "I had to make my own [family tree] because all of the ones I saw on the internet were like — every single one was different. I was like 'I'm confused.'"

The Dutton family is made up of incredible cast members like Brandon Sklenar, Harrison Ford, and Helen Mirren, and Michelle reveals that the cast are just as close as their characters.

"There's a giant group chat called Giddy Up, which started during cowboy camp of season one," she says. "A cute little name, and I think I mean we all were on location in Montana and all in the same hotel, and we would get dinners after [filming], so I think even though our characters are very different and in different story lines like we all really did bond, which was really helpful to have each other throughout the chaos of of shooting a show."

The actress also says Elizabeth would connect with her 'Landman' character Ainsley.

And if you're a tried and true Taylor Sheridan fan, you've probably picked up on the fact that Michelle isn't just in 1923 — she also has a starring role as Ainsley Norris in Landman! But would Elizabeth and Ainsley get along if they met in an alternate universe?

"That would be a fun thing to witness. I think they would," she says. "They're very different, but the similarities between them is they're both young women who are finding their place in this world and I think that they both actually look at the world through very bright eyes and have a lot of hope, which is an interesting correlation between the two of them. I think Elizabeth has gone through so much more than Ainsley obviously, so there might be a difference there, but I think they would get along."