Who doesn’t want to look and feel their best? If you’ve decided to age gracefully without any “outside” assistance, more power to you. On the other hand if you’ve been catching occasional glimpses of yourself in the mirror in just the right horrible lighting, or have caught a good look at your neck while typing downwards on your laptop wondering when that happened, you’re like the rest of us.
Whether you suffer from sun damage, redness, sagging skin, wrinkles, or acne, skin issues of any sort at any age can be confidence crushing. You can’t hide your face with a sweater. Just a few years ago, the remedies were expensive and highly specialized. Consumers had to either visit a dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or an esthetician to get the appropriate treatments to correct or manage these concerns. While some conditions and desired results still require a trip to a professional, technological advancements in at-home beauty devices have been exploding and there are now a variety of options to treat (or slow down) the process of aging that consumers can use on their own.
With so many choices and varying technologies available in the marketplace it can be a little overwhelming to weed through, however. As a former esthetician and lifelong beauty and wellness junky I’ve rounded up five tech-driven, at-home beauty devices that will have you looking and feeling your best.
FOREO LUNA 2 Professional
Every skin care regimen starts with thoroughly cleansing your skin. Manual sonic cleansing devices aren’t new to the marketplace. But if you have sensitive or “reactive” skin the nylon bristle heads used for most of these devices can agitate your condition, which is why I have sat on the sidelines until now. While researching this article, I came across the FOREO line of products and discovered their LUNA 2 Professionalthat was developed for not only cleansing all types of skin including sensitive but the dual-sided device has an anti-aging function to it as well. So I had to give it a try.
This hand held device is ergonomically designed, waterproof for use in the shower or bath and is made from a premium silicone that feels great on the skin, is non-abrasive, hygienic and you never have to worry about replacing the bristle head. The cleaning side of the device incorporates Foreo’s unique Dual T-Sonic technology (alternating 2-point transdermal sonic pulses) that provides 12 varying pulsation intensities that each generate up to 8,000 pulsations (currently FOREO’s strongest available device) per minute for an even deeper cleaning that lifts away 99.5% of dirt, oil, as well as makeup residue. With its varying sized silicone bristles (the smaller bristles are for sensitive) you can adjust the angle of the device to customize your cleansing routine specifically for your skin type. After simply one use you will immediately notice squeaky-clean skin that even with the best cleanser your hands alone could never achieve.
Once the skin is cleansed you can apply your typical skin care routine and flip theLUNA 2over to use the anti-aging feature, which channels lower-frequency pulsations onto wrinkle-prone areas improving the absorption of your products, lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while leaving the skin feeling firmer. I love this multi-purpose device and will never go back to cleansing my skin with only my hands ever again.
FOREO IRIS
On first blush, you may not know what to do with this next device (or where to use it for the matter). But, if you suffer from under eye bags, puffiness, or dark circles. Or if people keep asking you if you are tired (when you aren't) then this next device is an absolute must have. Also, created by FOREO, the IRISis an ophthalmologist approved eye massager that utilizes the company’s alternating T-Sonic technology to reduce the above-mentioned symptoms taking 30 seconds to treat each eye.
Made from the same high-grade silicone as the LUNA 2, the IRIS device offers users two functions to choose from including Pure Mode and Spa Mode inspired by Asian fingertip tapping eye massage techniques. The Pure Mode gently replicates the feeling of a manual massage and is suitable for skin that is beginning to show signs of aging while the Spa Mode recreates a professional beauty treatment combining tapping with delicate pulsations perfect for massaging more pronounced signs of aging. You can also use this device with your favorite eye cream to help with the absorption. Whichever setting you choose IRIS will leave your eyes looking and feeling more refreshed instantly.
ZIIP BEAUTY
Over the last 15 years, celebrity esthetician Melanie Simon has created a cult-like following with her electrical facials that utilize various combinations of micro and nano currents that rejuvenate and treat the skin while delivering dramatic (and addictive) results. Simon’s facials became in such high demand that after years of development, in 2015 she launched ZIIP, a beautifully designed ergonomic handheld electrical skincare device with the goal to share her coveted in-office treatments for home use.
ZIIP delivers groundbreaking tiny, energetic currents that infuse the skin with specific electrical waveforms that increase ATP, a key factor in collagen production. Since ATP cannot be stored in the body, using the ZIIP device regularly 1-3 times per week will result in creating more collagen and elastin, heal tissue, stimulate lymphatic drainage, increase blood circulation, and diminish bacteria in the skin to create younger looking and healthy skin. ZIIP comes pre-programmed with Simon’s “Energize” cocktail, an all around treatment created for all skin types that firms, tightens and brightens skin, while simultaneously preventing further damage.
Through the ZIIP Beauty app, you can download several more specialized “cocktails” to your device to target specific issues like puffiness and dark under-eye circles or breakouts. Currently, ZIIP offers six different electrical cocktails (with more to come in the near future) that address a variety of common skin complaints. There are so many aspects that I love about my ZIIP. Besides the visible results, the fact that Simon has created a high-tech beauty device where the treatment options are regularly evolving makes this one tool whose functions will never get boring to you or your skin.
ReFa Carat
The ReFa CARAT is a hand-held rolling device that can be used on your face and your body to stimulate and revive tired, stressed skin by replicating the professional deep kneading manipulations one would get in a professional facial or massage treatment. This waterproof tool features a unique platinum 360-degree, multi-angle design that delivers gentle micro-currents to boost circulation, enhance firmness and improving the tone of your skin with its indoor solar powered battery that will never have to be replaced.
Courtesy of ReFa
Courtesy of ReFaThe ReFa CARAT is ideal for improving the skin along the jaw line, face, underarm (think “bat wings”), waist, inner thighs, neck and chest. With its arched handle the ReFa CARAT roller is easy to use and gently rolls across the contours of the face and body creating a relaxing yet rejuvenating experience. You can adjust the angle of the device if you want additional “gripping” or pressure in areas that feel like they need deeper therapy. As a former massage therapist I love this device for it therapeutic benefits to the body as well as the benefits to the skin’s appearance. ReFa CARAT has a lot of knock offs in the marketplace so if you are interested in purchasing one you can buy one directly from their website where you will also find a list of their authorized retailers.
NEWA Skin Care System
Courtesy of NEWA
Courtesy of NEWAIf laxity and wrinkles are your concern then the NEWA Skin Care System could be the solution for you. Developed by EndyMed Medical Ltd., a pioneer and world leader in the use of multi-source radiofrequency technology for professional aesthetic treatments, comes the world’s first energy-based radiofrequency technology that uses the company’s patented 3DEEP technology that is cleared by the FDA to treat mild to moderate wrinkle reduction in the privacy of your home.
The NEWA’s controlled radiofrequency triggers the skin’s fibroblasts to naturally produce new, more active collagen and elastic fibers, tightening and lifting the skin while reducing wrinkles and promoting healthier, and rejuvenated skin on the face, jawline, and under the chin. A recent study performed in an internationally renowned research lab in New York confirmed a significant increase in dermal collagen level starting after just one month of NEWA treatments, with a continued increase in collagen up to 3.8% of new collagen generation at the 12-week follow up. NEWA also offers their own app to track your progress, come up with a treatment schedule, and tips on how to maximize your treatments. Although, I just started using this device, I see immediate results after each use and am excited to see what the cumulative benefits are with regular use.