The ever growing popularity of enhancing your facial aesthetics from the comfort of your own home has grown immensely in recent years, and the truth is the options are endless. From facial rollers to LED masks, there’s a wide array of gadgets promising to transform your skin. However, distinguishing between effective tools and gimmicks can be a challenge. With each product marketing its unique at-home benefits, it can be enticing to spend far less on a treatment that you do yourself. However, it’s also very easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what actually works. That’s where I come in!
In today’s blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of at-home skincare tools, the claims they make, and if they are actually effective. Whether you’re looking to tighten, brighten, or rejuvenate your skin, we’ll break down the promises these gadgets offer and determine if they live up to the hype and are truly worth your investment.
Ice Roller
Designed to be chilled to deliver a cooling, tightening effect to the skin, the simple, hand-held tool is best known for its ability to quickly de-puff a tired complexion. But this tool offers a host of other legitimate skin-care benefits, too. Ice rollers can constrict blood vessels under the skin to help reduce puffiness and swelling. These cold rollers can also shrink pores, which helps eliminate dirt and oil buildup leading to acne. Anything that is very cold is anti-inflammatory, meaning it will calm redness and irritation due to acne or rosacea. Post-treatment, especially with injectables, ice rolling can offer natural healing benefits. Win!
Gua Sha
Gua sha (pronouced “gwa-shah”) is an East Asian healing technique. Using a small, smooth-edged tool to firmly stroke your skin in one direction can help improve blood flow and reduce inflammation. Studies show that when done correctly, gua sha can release chemicals that improve blood flow, lessen toxins, reduce pain, and promote healing in the area. But the real success of this tool is knowing how to use it properly. That requires proper training and proper pressure applied to actually improve that blood flow. Not worth it!
Jade Roller
Jade rollers help reduce puffiness, improve circulation and help your skin glow. Jade rollers can provide noticeable short-term results and can be a great way to look and feel your best before a meeting, event, or a night out with friends. Again, knowing exactly how to use them is key. Jade rollers CAN provide de-puffing and increase circulation to the face. Jade rollers CAN’T remove sagging skin or stop the aging process. Not worth it!
Red light therapy is a low wavelength treatment that can have skin rejuvenating benefits over time with repeated exposure. Red light signals our skin to repair itself, which can help with inflammation in the skin due to environmental stress, acne, or rosacea. The light may help to increase blood flow and potentially levels of collagen in the skin. However, it is important to note that the at-home devices do not undergo clinical testing or research and the result claims are anecdotal. So the efficacy and results from an at-home device may not yield the noticeable results that you are looking for, nor would it compare to a professional device. On the fence!
Wrinkle Reducing Silicone Patches
Wrinkle patches are usually made up of silicone and hyaluronic acid, which helps prevent water loss from the skin, making the skin appear more hydrated (less wrinkled). However, these effects are very short-lived until you reapply again. On the fence!
Pimple Patches
If your breakout hasn’t been popped, a pimple patch can act as a helpful barrier to stop you from picking. Keep in mind that hydrocolloid patches are designed to work on open lesions, however, they can still prove effective at drawing out gunk from pimples that aren’t open. But the patches can also help prevent you from touching and picking at a breakout, which will prevent infection and can speed up healing time. They are also very discreet and can be worn during the day. Win!
At-home microneedling
Typically, microneedling is an in-office skin care procedure that involves puncturing the face with tiny needles. So the DIY procedure at home understandably seems terrifying, and you can imagine this could go very wrong if done incorrectly or with a non-sterile microneedle device leading to micro-tears in the skin that introduces germs and bacteria. Absolutely, Not worth it!
There are many at-home microneedling tools on the market which over time, can have skin-brightening and tightening effects. But, the at-home devices do not go as deep, nor are as precise as in-office procedures which makes them much less effective. The safest option, and what I suggest, is to consult with a specialist in microneedling treatments, preferably a board-certified medical professional. Doing an in-office treatment will reduce risks and ensure the procedure is conducted safely.
Benefits of radio frequency microneedling with Vivace at DermaPrecision:
- Minimally invasive
- Stimulates collagen
- Reduces pore size
- Softens fine lines and wrinkles
- Improves skin laxity / loose skin
- Improves scarring
- Helps with acne
In my practice, we have the VIVACE ULTRA radio frequency microneedling device, which will provide far better results in a safe environment with trained professionals delivering a treatment tailored to your skin and your skin needs. While it is more costly than an at-home treatment, the benefits of investing in a device that is proven to work far outweighs the risks of trying to cut-costs when it comes to microneedling. This minimally-invasive treatment stimulates the natural production of collagen and is shown to be effective in alleviating facial wrinkles and fine lines.
Treatment areas:
- Face
- Neck
- Decolette
- Stomach
- Thighs
- Arms
And, this month (July), all treatments at DermaPrecision are 25% OFF! So, if you have been waiting for a reason to make an appointment, this deal is once-a-year and too good to pass up! Schedule an appointment today with Christina, Elizabeth, Dianne or Cecilia and they will help you get one step closer to achieving your facial aesthetic goals.
Until next time,
Christina
Always here to help you enhance your inner radiance.
