I spent a month trying a $150 anti-aging skincare wand used by celebrities like Pedro Pascal and Reese Witherspoon. It didn't live up to the hype.

• The Solawave skincare wand is wildly popular on Instagram, TikTok, and among celebrities.
• It claims to help with acne and fine lines by using red light therapy and "microcurrents."

As an adult in her early 30s, a consistent skincare routine has made a huge difference in reducing the spicy combo of rogue pimples and fine lines on my forehead. Still, I live with the hope of a miracle product (that isn't prohibitively expensive or time-consuming) giving me the poreless, dewy skin I see all over TikTok.

That's why I was so excited to try the Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand with Red Light Therapy, which sounded just like what I was looking for. Using red light therapy, mild electrical currents, facial massage, and warmth, it was supposed to depuff my face, help serums absorb better, and smooth fine lines, dark spots, and acne.

For a one-time fee of $150 (which Insider paid), all I'd need to do is run it over my face for five minutes a day for results in two weeks, according to the website.

If any part of me was skeptical, it was quickly tempered by all the celebrities and stylists who use it — including Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Coolidge, Lil Nas X, Megan Fox, Sydney Sweeney, Priyanka Chopra, and Pedro Pascal. Plus, there were a colossal amount of positive reviews on social media and in beauty publications.

But after a month of trying, I'm so sorry but: I don't think this works — at least for me. Let's unpack.

The instructions were confusing and contained vague warnings about the risks

Math isn't my strong suit (hence why I chose writing as a profession), but from the very beginning some things about the Solawave just didn't add up for me.

The instructions say to spend 1-2 minutes running the wand over each face "region," but what counts as a region? Is one cheek a region, or do both count as one? It's suggested that everyone starts out using the Solawave for only five minutes a day, but if I spend 1-2 minutes on each side of my face and neck, that's more like 8-16 minutes, depending on what counts as a region and how fast I was supposed to move the wand across my face (which I was also confused about). Once you start using the Solawave more frequently, the manual says you can use the product anywhere from 5-30 minutes a day, which is a huge time difference.

But what really made my ears perk up was the suggestion to use it on my neck, but avoid the larynx and throat area — though it's unclear why, and what the risks are. I'm assuming that this is because some researchers have been concerned that LED light can impact the function of the thyroid gland because the skin on the neck is so thin, though recent research has found that this isn't an issue. But to play it safe, I avoided using it on my neck.

I looked on the website and learned I'm also technically not supposed to use it on my breasts, groin, eyelids, or underneath my brow bone (I wasn't planning to). And if I use it on my chest, it can allegedly disrupt my heart's natural rhythm, which is lethal, according to the brand's website.

I tried using it for a month and saw almost no results

At first, I bought the wand on its own. My logic was if the additional $32 recommended serum was absolutely necessary, it would come with the wand. Plus, while the Solawave FAQ says to use its branded "activating serum" for best results, you can use any hydrating topical "with conductive ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and/or aloe vera."

For the Solawave to work, it needs to be applied to moist skin, so I used it after cleansing my face and applying moisturizer. While it would periodically turn off, it did still feel soothing — other than when I'd get to my forehead and it would snag on my hair.

I did enjoy the warmth aspect, which immediately made my cheeks feel drier and tighter. At first, this made me believe this device was really going to change my skin, but then I remembered my face also feels this way when I strain pasta or blow-dry my hair. It doesn't mean my flesh is any firmer.

After two weeks of using the wand three times a week (as suggested), I saw no changes. Alright, I thought, I'll get the proper serum and ramp up my use every day for two weeks.

The Renew Complex Activating Serum (which uses hyaluronic acid and aloe vera) smelled pleasant, like peach iced tea, and did make the Solawave easier to use: There was no more spontaneous turning off or hair tugging. Unfortunately, my skin remained mostly the same.

The one thing I did think the wand helped with was depuffing my eyes because it functioned like a vibrating jade roller or gua sha, and may have helped with lymphatic drainage. But a standard gua sha and jade roller set costs $12, compared to the $180+ I had now spent on the Solawave.

The science behind it is dubious

To make sure I wasn't missing anything, I asked Dr. Erum Ilyas, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, her thoughts on the Solawave.

"I have not been able to understand how this product could have tangible results by passing over the skin," she said, noting that most red light devices are meant to be held in one spot for any results. Many LED masks, for example, should be left on for 10-15 minutes for 3-5 times a week.

Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, expressed similar skepticism. While some studies show that LED light therapy can reduce wrinkles and dark spots, he said that they involve intense lights in doctors' offices. At-home devices, according to him, "are certainly not as powerful."

I can't say that the Solawave definitely doesn't work — only that it didn't work for me. If you still want to try it, or like the ritual of it, you should go for it. I take Mercury Retrograde and Eastern European superstitions seriously, so I'm never going to judge someone for committing to something on the off-chance it actually makes a difference.