Sending microcurrents through your own face may have sounded bizarre a decade ago, but now it’s part of many people’s weekly routines. Few areas of the aesthetics market have seen growth like home-use beauty devices.
Currently valued at more than US$18 billion, forecasters expect that figure to double in the next decade. The takeaway is as clear as a complexion: at-home beauty devices aren’t going anywhere, and for good reason. They can replace costly, timeconsuming visits to an aesthetician and be used in the comfort of one’s own home.
The key to seeing visible improvements, however, is consistent use. If you’re not the type to routinely use a device, these are not for you. But if you’re ready to make the commitment, then these six well-reviewed, well-researched products are worth the investment. As always, consult a dermatologist or other skincare or healthcare professional to get the all-clear for your specific needs. And follow the instructions; experts caution that overuse of these devices can have reverse effects. Because in this case, there is too much of a good thing.
‘Currently valued at more than US$18 billion, forecasters expect that figure to double in the next decade. The takeaway is as clear as a complexion: at-home beauty devices aren’t going anywhere, and for good reason’
MINIMISE SIGNS OF AGEING AND CALM IRRITATION FROM HEAD TO TOE
CurrentBody has a proven track record for producing some of the best beauty devices on the market, and now they have one of the biggest as well. The CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Panel is a flexible 150 cm2 rectangle that can be used on its stand, flat or bent, or with straps so you can multitask while you treat whichever body part you desire. The blue light specifically targets issues on a surface level, such as acne, whereas the red light, near infrared and deep near infrared settings target deeper skin layers, stimulating collagen and elastin production to minimise signs of ageing. Use on clean, dry skin for 10 minutes, every other day, to see the best results.
A PROPERLY CLEANSED FACE IS ESSENTIAL FOR PEAK DEVICE EFFICACY
There are many reasons to wash your face, including the all-important goal of removing debris and dead skin cells that can worsen acne, skin tone and texture. But you may not realise that microcurrents from electrical devices can’t penetrate so well if there’s dirt, sweat, makeup, SPF or oil on the surface. The Bio-Therapeutic bt-Sonic Gen2 cleansing brush helps dislodge and brush away pollutants and dull cells with a gentle silicone brush that won’t strip away the natural moisture barrier on the skin’s surface. Essentially, it gets rid of the grime and leaves the good stuff. It comes with two brush heads; use the standard one for daily cleansing with your usual cleanser, and the exfoliating brush twice weekly with a cleanser or exfoliating product. It takes one minute, is waterproof and rechargeable.
STIMULATE HAIR GROWTH WHILE YOU WORK OR RELAX
While many people have accepted hair loss as part of ageing, or as a side-effect to certain diseases, lifestyle choices and medications, some are still wanting to put up a fight. And for those consumers, there are now numerous at-home devices to stimulate hair growth and improve hair health. According to a number of dermatologists, the key to tress success is using a device that has lasers and a high-concentration of LED lights, such as the derm-recommended Qure Q-Renew LLLT Helmet. This wireless, portable device, which sits on the head like an adjustable bike helmet, stimulates hair follicles and improves scalp health to both promote regrowth and prevent future thinning in a quick 12-minute session.
REPAIR SUN DAMAGE TO THE NECK AND CHEST IN THREE-MINUTE SESSIONS
The neck and chest tend to get neglected when it comes to skincare, SPF and preventative treatments, making it prone to showing the first signs of sagging and fine lines. The Solawave Neck and Chest Pro Light Therapy Mask uses a professional-grade 320 LED light panel with four wavelengths to stimulate collagen, minimise the appearance of fine lines, improve firmness and decrease pigmentation to reveal even skin tone. The automatic session length is three minutes, recommended every other day.
PRO-LEVEL HAIR REMOVAL DONE IN THE COMFORT OF HOME
The thought of professional-grade hair removal usually conjures up words like painful, expensive, invasive and time-consuming. Cue the Foreo Peach 2 Pro Max, an at-home IPL (intense pulsed light) device that uses highenergy pulses to put hair follicles into a resting state. Over time, hair regrowth lessens. Users of this device, which is larger than most on the market so it can cover larger areas in a shorter amount of time, rave about the painlessness of this device and the cooling system that blows cold air onto the treated area. An app can customise your treatment, show you how to use it, and send treatment reminders. Foreo recommends once-weekly sessions, with less use required over time.
THIS MULTITASKER CAN GIVE YOU A PERSONALISED TREATMENT PLAN
Thanks to seven different modes, the updated Medicube Booster Pro x2 device offers users a major glow up without having to book an appointment anywhere. Use the Air Shot mode to minimise pore size; the Derma Shot mode to contour and firm areas, particularly around the jawline and cheekbones; the Booster mode to help skincare products absorb better; the MC (microcurrent) mode to target fine lines, like smile lines and neck wrinkles; the Mask mode to help the skincare ingredients in sheet masks penetrate deeper; the Dual mode to allow use of two of these functions at once; and the AI mode to connect to an app to customise your routine, which is then sent to the device. Treatment sessions last between five and 10 minutes.