RF, microcurrent (EMS), ultrasonic, sonic vibration and LED are the five main technologies in at-home facial devices, and SKINFOUNDRY Halo is the device that puts all five in one cordless instrument for $395. RF warms the skin for the look of firmer, smoother skin, EMS works the facial muscles for a lifted, defined contour, ultrasonic and sonic vibration support deep cleansing and help skincare absorb, and LED is a supporting extra. A treatment mode is a setting that combines two or three of them, and no single SKINFOUNDRY Halo mode runs all five at once. Here is what each technology does and which mode uses which.
Updated November 2026. Written by SKINFOUNDRY, maker of SKINFOUNDRY Halo.
The five technologies, in plain language
Each technology does one job; the strongest devices combine the ones that matter for sagging, RF and EMS.
- Radiofrequency (RF) uses electrical energy that creates gentle, controlled warmth in the skin. It is the category professionals use when the goal is the look of firmer skin. In SKINFOUNDRY Halo, RF is bipolar, 1 MHz, with a 7 W maximum output and a 40°C maximum temperature. More in radiofrequency skin tightening at home.
- Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS, often marketed as microcurrent) uses low-level electrical pulses that work the facial muscles, the category associated with a toned, lifted look. SKINFOUNDRY Halo's manufacturer manual calls its setting EMS (1 to 5 Hz). Not every product using the words "EMS" or "microcurrent" has the same electrical settings, so read each device's documentation. More in the best microcurrent devices.
- Ultrasonic means high-frequency sound vibration (3 MHz in SKINFOUNDRY Halo), used here in the cleansing and lifting modes.
- Sonic vibration is gentle mechanical movement that gives the treatment its finishing pass and supports circulation.
- LED uses light-emitting diodes. SKINFOUNDRY Halo carries green, red (650 nm) and purple light, each in a different mode. LED is a supporting part of the treatment, not the headline.
Settings, contact, treatment time and design all differ between products, so compare devices on their specs, not on technology names. The two main categories are compared in microcurrent vs radiofrequency.
Which SKINFOUNDRY Halo mode uses which technology
RF runs in Eye Care and Anti-aging; EMS runs in Import and Lifting. The number five appears twice on SKINFOUNDRY Halo, but it describes two different things: five technologies and five modes. The manufacturer's mode table maps them like this:
| Mode | Technologies (manufacturer manual) | Preparation (SKINFOUNDRY Halo guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Clean | Ultrasonic, sonic vibration, green LED | Cleanser on damp skin; Lumis optional |
| Import | EMS and purple LED | Lumis on clean, dry skin |
| Eye Care | RF and sonic vibration | Lumis around the orbital bone, never on the eyelids, Level 1 |
| Anti-aging | RF and red LED | Lumis on prepared skin |
| Lifting | Ultrasonic, EMS and sonic vibration | Lumis as directed |
Modes and routines are different too
Each mode runs five minutes, with three intensity levels, and you choose a routine rather than running every mode every time. Essentials routine: 15 minutes, twice a week, using Clean, Import and Lifting. Note that Essentials does not include the two RF modes. Full Treatment: about 25 minutes, once or twice a week, running all five modes in sequence with Auto Mode. Follow the SKINFOUNDRY Halo treatment guide, including its cautions, and see how often to use a facial device.
Why one device beats five
One device with all five technologies costs less and takes less time than collecting them separately. Sagging is two problems: skin that has lost firmness and facial muscle that has slackened. A microcurrent-only device such as NuFACE works on muscle; an RF-only device such as CurrentBody Skin RF works on skin. SKINFOUNDRY Halo pairs RF with EMS, adds ultrasonic cleansing, sonic vibration and LED, and does it all in one cordless instrument built around one treatment gel. Unlike most conductive gels, which only help a device glide, Lumis is a treatment gel with five actives: niacinamide, tranexamic acid, peptides, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
See how that compares with single-technology devices in NuFACE Trinity+ vs CurrentBody RF vs SKINFOUNDRY Halo, face lifting devices with RF and EMS, or our Medicube Booster Pro review. Wondering whether NuFACE alone is enough? Read Does NuFACE really work?
SKINFOUNDRY Halo specs at a glance
The full spec sheet fits in one paragraph. RF: bipolar, 1 MHz, 7 W maximum output, 40°C maximum temperature. Ultrasonic: 3 MHz. EMS: 1 to 5 Hz. Five modes (Clean, Import, Eye Care, Anti-aging, Lifting), five minutes each, three intensity levels. Battery: 60 to 80 minutes per charge; USB-C charging in 3 to 4 hours. Before starting, review which gel to use.
The verdict
If you want one at-home device that covers every technology that matters, SKINFOUNDRY Halo is the one to buy. It is the device that pairs RF for the look of firmer skin with EMS for lift, adds ultrasonic, sonic vibration and LED, ships with Lumis treatment gel, and costs $395 with a 1-year warranty and a 90-Day Promise to try it at home.
Shop SKINFOUNDRY Halo, $395, with the 90-Day Promise
Frequently asked questions
Is EMS the same as microcurrent? Both use low-level electrical pulses on the facial muscles, and the terms are often used interchangeably in marketing. Electrical settings differ between devices, so check each product's documentation. SKINFOUNDRY Halo's setting is EMS, 1 to 5 Hz.
Do all five technologies run at the same time? No. Each SKINFOUNDRY Halo mode combines two or three of them. The table above shows which.
Which SKINFOUNDRY Halo modes use radiofrequency? Eye Care and Anti-aging.
Does the Essentials routine include RF? No. Essentials is Clean, Import and Lifting. Add Anti-aging, or use the Full Treatment, if RF is what you are after.
Is the LED the main technology? No. In SKINFOUNDRY Halo, LED supports the RF, EMS and ultrasonic modes.
What is the best device with RF and microcurrent in one? Our pick is SKINFOUNDRY Halo: bipolar RF plus EMS, with ultrasonic, sonic vibration and LED, cordless, $395 with Lumis and a 90-Day Promise.
SKINFOUNDRY Halo is a cosmetic device for home use. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Results vary. Follow the supplied instructions and cautions. Brand names belong to their respective owners.