What at-home skin care devices are worth it?
With so many skin care devices available to purchase for at-home use, it can be hard to determine which items are worth your money and your skin health and which ones aren’t. Kim Chang, an aesthetician at Baylor College of Medicine, shares what to look for before making a purchase.
Chang says the LED masks are good. The difference between professional devices and at-home devices is the bulb quantity.
“The more bulbs, the better red and infrared light,” Chang said.
If you are going to use a blue light at-home mask and have acne, don’t use it by itself; make sure to use red light afterward to neutralize the blue light. Blue light can cause hyperpigmentation.
Chang adds that skin high-frequency machines, used to improve blood circulation and remove active acne bacteria, are also good at-home tools. Since everybody is different, know that results may vary. The key when using these products is consistency.
“These devices can be quite costly. Most will use devices for the first few months upon purchasing, then stop. I recommend assessing your time commitment to the device before purchasing. You may be surprised by how much 10 minutes per day can feel like too much for many,” Chang said.
Skin cleansing wands can stay on the shelf.
“These wands with bristles that swirl on your face can irritate your skin. It’s not the best method to cleanse your skin and may shift the dirt and makeup around rather than removing it,” Chang said.
She adds that people also can get breakouts from using these wands because they aren’t cleaning them as often as they should.
When cleansing your face, do a double cleanse. Cleanse once, do it again and then exfoliate afterward to remove buildup.
Before purchasing an at-home skin care device, Chang says to research the device’s background and scientific support or evidence to see if it fits your needs and shows efficacy. Also, speak with a dermatologist first for their recommendation, as they may have a better option for your skincare needs and goals.
By Taylor Barnes
