Facial tools, gimmicky or the real deal? Depending on the tool and who you ask, the answer will vary.
I’ve tried everything from cleansing brushes to ionic devices to micro-current tools like the NuFace, and now I’ll be sharing my favorite of them all in this Tripollar Stop X review.
Tripollar Stop X overview
What is it
A facial tool using radio frequency technology, which stimulates dermal activity in order to kick start the natural production of collagen, improving your skin’s contours and overall condition. This slows down and reverses, signs of aging and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just 8 weeks
Available For
$399 for the tool + a tube of preparation gel, but it’s regularly on sale for around $270 on SkinStore (25% off with code JENNY), Tripollar Official (25% off with code GEEKYPOSH), and CurrentBody (25% off with code SKINCARE25).
I post deals on my Instagram regularly so follow me there if you’re interested!.
Is a primer required?
Yes, you need to apply a thin layer of their Stop Preparation Gel beforehand help transfer the heat. Less is more, and do not try to use a different gel or else the treatment might not work as well.
Does it hurt?
If you’re sensitive to heat the tool can feel hot at first, though it’s still tolerable as you’re constantly moving it in circular motions across your skin, so it never touches one spot for too long. Now that I’m used to it I find the heat quite relaxing!
Any irritations or redness afterwards?
No irritations but your skin will be flushed from the heat! I always follow up with a sheet mask afterwards to cool my skin down.
Is it time consuming?
Takes me about 10-12 minutes to complete the two sides of my face, I don’t bother with my forehead. It’s also easy to watch Netflix while using this, so the time just flies!
Is it safe to use while pregnant/breast-feeding?
While there hasn’t been any proof to show that it’s dangerous during those times, they still recommend stopping your treatment to be safe.
Areas to avoid
Your nose, eye lids, and the lymph node areas on your neck. Also avoid where your thyroid is.
Radio frequency technology in skincare
RF might sound foreign to you, but how about Exilis or Thermage treatments? Both of these and the Tripollar Stop X use the same multi-RF technology which sends waves to heat the deep layers of the skin.
By maintaining that high temperature, our body will then release heat-shock proteins, which then in turn stimulate collagen production (source). Don’t worry, this heat is transferred to the deep layers, so the surface level of your skin is perfectly safe :)
Due to its ability to stimulate collagen production, RF technology has been shown to improve fine lines, improve mild sun damage, and even improve facial firmness!
Obviously the levels from a at-home facial device won’t be as strong as what you’ll receive from a dermatologist office, but the technology itself is definitely promising. Keep reading for proof.
My Tripollar Stop X review
I started using this tool at the beginning of September every other night per the instructions.
Immediate results the next day: Maybe it was from using the sheet mask after the tool, but my skin always looked brighter and just healthier. Even more so compared to just using a sheet mask without the tools.
Results after a month: Slightly less noticeable nasolabial folds and smoother + plumper skin.
Results after 2 months: Noticeably less noticeable nasolabial folds and fullness near the bottom of my mouth where it was previously looking a little sunken.
I will continue updating this Tripollar Stop X review as time goes on, but I’m incredibly pleased at the progress so far!
Also not as important, but let’s take a minute to appreciate the tool’s aesthetics. I love the sleek design, the rose gold color, and the fact that it has its own stand to display proudly on any vanity. 10/10!
My Tripollar Stop X routine
- Apply the thinnest layer possible of the preparation gel. Less is definitely more!
- Slowly and gently massage a small area of your face in a circular motion. I always start with my nasolabial folds and work clockwise from there.
- When the device beeps I move on to the next area, continuing the small circles.
- Once I complete a whole side of my face I’ll go back over my nasolabial folds and massage upwards and outwards as if to smooth the lines. The important thing is to keep the device moving!
- After I complete my entire face, I rinse off the gel with water and continue with my essence and serum steps, using soothing and hydrating products.
- I then follow up with a sheet mask to help cool the redness at the surface level. Remember, the heat only needs to work at the deeper levels!
- I do this every other day. It is not recommended to use this device daily!
Other RF facial devices
In addition to the whole Tripollar range (more on that below), there’s also Newa, YA-MAN, and Silk’n. However Tripollar had the most positive reviews and seemed the most user friendly, hence my decision to go with that brand.
Next of course was deciding which version to get!
Different versions of Tripollar
The one I’m using, Stop X, is their latest model available in North America, but they carry 3 other models. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Stop | Stop V | Stop X | Stop Vx |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | 2nd generation | 3rd generation | 4th generation |
| Uses RF Technology | Uses multi-RF and Dynamic Muscle Activation (DMA) technology, which tones and lifts. | Uses Multi-RF Technology for improved efficacy | Uses multi-RF and DMA technology |
| Feels hotter on the skin due to the smaller tips.* | Same issue with the smaller tips, plus DMA portion can hurt depending on your pain tolerance.* | Feels much better on the skin thanks to the wider tips + improved temperature stabilization. | ? |
| Indicator light shows when ideal temperature has been reached. | Indicator light only. | Indicator light and beep, making it easy to use while watching TV or reading. | Indicator light + beep |
Final Verdict
- Design9/10
- Comfort Level8.5/10
- Ease of Use9/10
- Performance9/10
- Price8.5/10
A picture speaks 1000 words, and my results after 2 months are enough to convince me that this purchase was 100% worth it, and why it's the first of all my facial tools that I'm reviewing on here!
It's an expensive splurge, but price is comparable to other facial tools (eg. NuFace), and you can frequently find it on sale. If you enjoy facial massages and want a tool with proven anti-aging benefits that's easy to use, I cannot recommend this enough. With a few minutes every other day and persistence, I'm confident you'll see improvements too!
do you also do microcurrent?
aree you still using it? i thought maintenance was one to 2 times a month
I had to stop everything after I got pregnant but prior to that I was using a microcurrent device (Ziip) regularly, and plan on resuming after pregnancy. I’ve switched to the Medicube Age-R Ussera Deep Shot for RF since it’s quicker and milder, so it’s perfect for maintenance and/or if you’re ok with taking things slow. I may restart with Tripollar again for a few months due to the long break I had to take. Hope this helps!
Dear, you have lost facial fat in the mid face between the bottom of your eyes and the sides of your nose (you can see the flatness there). Also from your side angle your zygomatic curve is flat. These are the subtle nuances of fat loss that can occur with these high energy devices; they shrink natural the curvatures of the face, which are aesthetically pleasing and desirable. Why do you think people get fillers? It’s to create those curvatures and fullness which is a sign of plump, youthful facial fat and bone structure.
What side angle? I didn’t include any side photos of my face in this post, so I find it extremely weird that you’re analyzing my facial structure in other photos, as if my flatter face somehow proves your point. Sorry to disappoint but that’s how I’ve always looked, and whatever “fat loss” I’ve experienced is a natural part of aging. I can assure you what the bottom of my eyes look like has not changed for the better or worse since using Tripollar.
The RF technology in this device specifically targets the dermis layer of our skin where collagen and elastin are, it would require much higher temperatures and longer treatment time/session to impact fat cells. Obviously if you continue using the device on the same spot even after the ideal temperature has been reached then it can cause fat loss, which is why it’s important to follow the instructions.
Thank you for your detailed review and I just started using it. I am just wondering if I can use it and NuFace at the same time.
Hi Renee, I personally use them on alternating days. I haven’t read anything that says you can’t use them together in the same routine, but at the same time I don’t want to risk potentially irritating it either. If you do want to use them on the same day maybe you can try spacing the two out a bit so your skin has time to rest? Hope this helps!
Thanks for this recommendation, Jenny! Looks like a great investment for long-term use. :)
Good evening, Tripollar Vx is quite expensive, and according to your comparative, it seems it does the same job as Tripollar V, right ?
I have not used the Tripollar Vx but from what I’ve read it combines the features of the V and X.
Hi. I just bought the Tripollar stop. Will it reduce nasolabial folds?? And will it do anything for crows feet as you can’t actually work around the eye??
The Stop or Stop X? I’ve only used the Stop X so I can’t speak for the Stop, but i think it should still help in the long run. I would read reviews on that device specifically for more information. Lastly any device would only be effective where you can use it, so if the Stop can’t be used around your eyes I’m afraid it can’t do much for crows feet.
I have the NuFace and as much as I would love to try other devices as well, I don´t think I have the time to use even one more right now.
Do you prefer this over nuface? How do you know which is better?
This and the NuFace do different things, so it really depends on what you’re looking for. I’ll be doing a detailed post comparing the two, but the NuFace is more for toning and lifting. I notice a more defined jawline when I use the nuface, but it doesn’t give me the same fullness or healthy glow from Tripollar.
Really? Aren’t they both micro current? How do they differ?
The Tripollar Stop X does not use microcurrent. I’ve explained the technology it uses in this post, feel free to read if you want to learn more.
OMG I need to try this!
Lisa | lisaautumn.com
I definitely need to try this!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer