5 Home Beauty Gadgets That Really Work
Megan’s Musing: I’ve read that an at-home tool called a Wellbox is supposed to help reduce the appearance of cellulite. Has anyone tried this device with promising results, or is this a waste of (significant) money?
The Right Brain Responds:
Megan, we’ve blogged about cellulite treatments before, and they really don’t do much. At best they only give you a very minor, temporary effect so you should probably save your money. But you might be interested to know that there ARE several new beauty gadgets on the market that really do work. At least according to a Dermatology Times article that quotes Dr. Thomas Rohrer, M.D., clinical associate professor of dermatology, Boston University Medical Center. He says that “We are getting to the point where, for certain things, patients may be able to treat themselves safely and fairly effectively at home.”
However, Dr. Rohrer also points out that these treatments are still less effective than the devices used by physicians: “They’re not going to be nearly as powerful” but “they may be effective enough…to improve some conditions.” Here are 5 beauty gadgets that Dr. Rohrer says really work:
1. Hair-removal (the Epila SI 808 Laser and the Spa Touch from Radiancy)
According to Dr. Rohrer, Spa Touch showed moderate efficacy with patients reporting an average 66% reduction in unwanted hair counts . At nine months follow-up, patients noted about a one-third reduction. Furthermore, there were a minimal side effects.
2. Hair loss (HairMax LaserComb from Lexington International LLC)
This device is one of only three treatments that are FDA-approved for hair growth. Dr. Rohrer says that “in a 26-week, multi-center, placebo-controlled study with this device, 93 percent of subjects noticed an increase in hair count.”
3. Acne devices (Zeno from Tyrell and ClearTouch Lite from Radiancy)
Both devices thermally treat acne lesions and according to the Dr., Zeno achieved 90 percent reduction in lesion counts in one to two days.
4. Facial photo-rejuvenation (NuLase from NuLase International LLC) and ClearTouch Lite from Radiance)
Light Emitting Diode devices are safe, relatively pain-free, and can provide “subtle but real changes in the skin.”
5. Facial Toning (Facial Toning Device from Radiancy)
Dr. Rohrer claims the Radiancy devices uses LHE technology and is capable of reducing age spots and wrinkles. However, the study he cited has not yet been published so we’re more skeptical on this one.
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Margie Says:
Great post. It’s because of posts like this that I always end up spending all of my husbands hard earned money. One comments thou, I’ve tied the NuLase w/ not great results. I’ve found the Baby Quasar to be much more effective. Unless your doing spot treatments it just takes too long to achieve the same results. p.s. The Wellbox is worth the money
Joanie Says:
It’s reassuring to know that some of these things do actually work! Thanks! Has anyone heard anything (positive or negative) about the new NoNo hair reduction tool at Sephora? I’m really curious about it!
Rissa Says:
I just read the entire series of comments written by a user who tried the Epila system. See them here:
http://search.reviews.ebay.ca/members/glynnjude_W0QQuqtZg
I haven’t found any reviews of the no!no! yet, but I’d like to know more about it, too.
There are several vendors on eBay offering both systems. I’m seriously considering trying the Epila.
Kristy Says:
I have a question about #2!
I hate to spend money, and I really enjoy being clever, so after reading your reviews and analysis of the Zeno and Thermaclear, I did a bit of research and thinking…
First I learned that the Zeno heats up to a temperature of 119 degrees Fahrenheit for 2.5 minutes.
Then I wondered if I might get the same acne curative effects if I used such solutions like turning my shower head on to a slightly higher temperature than usual and sprayed my face for 2-3 minutes. Then I wondered if I could use a hot towel (possibly microwaved) barber shop style. It dawned on me that I could use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature of the towels. I tried this and found that wet towels cool off a lot faster than I thought they did…
So I thought about heating pads, the sauna at my YMCA, etc, when it dawned on me that I might use one of those $30 self-heating face masks at home and keep one of the $7.50 hand warmers in my purse for emergency treatment on sudden eruptions. I looked up the temp for those self-heating heat therapy pads at http://www.WeBringtheHeat.com and read that they heat up to 130 degrees.
So I wondered, of course, if 130 degrees would be as effective (and safe) as 119 degrees? According to many websites, the creator of the Zeno, Tyrell, tested “the rate of P. acnes death at various temperatures over time (temperature versus time)” but I cannot find any more information on this. Can you help me? Can you find evidence supporting the idea that 130 degrees will be as effective and safe as 119 degrees? Can I save hundreds of dollars using my idea?
Jen Says:
Kristy,
I am impressed by your research with the Zeno device. 130 degrees might be too hot and cause skin damage, but I can’t be sure on this one. It might work beautifully. I am going to do some snooping on this issue as well, because I have been very tempted to buy Zeno. Walgreen’s offers Zeno for $149 including shipping; which is the best market price that I am aware of.
Has anyone tried Thermaclear? Marge recommends the Baby Quasar which has a similar technology, but for $449? Unless I was an Aesthetician, I don’t think I could justify buying this.
Using light in skin therapies is fascinating to me. Supposedly, the blue light kills bacteria, and the red light reduces skin redness and inflammation.
Get back to me, I’d love to hear what you find out,
Jen
colin Says:
I have a friend that used the Hairmax for about 2 months know, we kept pictures and track of the progress. His hair is definitely thicker than before. I am pretty sure he got his at http://www.promolife.com/hairmax-lasercomb/prod_1557.html
Karen Says:
I’ve seen mixed reviews on forums for the Baby Quasar (used for home facial photo-rejuvenation). Some people have seen great results; others haven’t. It’s not cheap, either: $450, although it could potentially pay for itself in a relatively short period of time if you get good results. When I wanted to learn more about it a few months ago, I went to Amazon to read their product description. There was only one customer review. It was quite enthusiastic but when I clicked on the comment left by someone else in response to it, they claimed that the “customer” who wrote that one review it is actually the president of the company that sells the Baby Quasar. Hmmm.
Jen Says:
Yes, you definitely would have to have some quantifiable evidence that Baby Quasar is effective to justify the price.
I get so peeved when I find out that a review was written by someone (esp. the President) from the COMPANY! Doesn’t that beat all? I would love to have a Thermage Treatment, but that would be a major investment. I enjoy watching “10 Years Younger” on TLC and seeing the difference these treatments can make. Until then, I’m waiting on the verdict of BQ vs. BS!!! Jen
Margie Says:
I purchased my Baby Quasar off eBay, after reading a post on Essential Day Spa, where there were endless positive reviews.
Jen Says:
That was very smart to purchase through eBay Margie. What changes have you noticed while using Baby Quasar? I will also take a look on the Essential Day Spa website. Thanks for sharing! Jen
Margie Says:
A general tightening of my jowls and under my eyes. It hasn’t helped much with deep wrinkles such as my 11’s or smile lines. However, my skin feels more hydrated appears more healthy.
Jen Says:
I am glad you are getting some good results. My Aesthetician has said really great things about the healing properties of red light. Thanks for sharing. Jen
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Kristy Says:
Jen,
Regarding the questions I had about #2, I have come to my own conclusions now and I thought that I might share them with you.
I couldn’t find any studies on the burn threshold of skin but I found things that I could infer information from - namely many products that have been on the market for decades that have not accumulated class action suits! First, most paraffin baths are kept between 124-130 degrees Fahrenheit, and I found that most therapeutic digital heat therapy blankets heat in the 88-166 degree range. Saunas are kept at a maximum of 180 degrees. And my own experience: the reusable instant hand warmer that I own has never burned me!
I tried using a hot water bottle first and found that to be most effective. I especially liked the way that I could cover a larger area of my face all at once, making the job go by much faster. Then I dug out my old instant hand warmer from an old junk drawer and tried that and found that I loved it! It was hotter than the water bottle so I could only hold a smaller section of it to my skin at a time, about one inch square but having done it for the past three days - much more than 3 times a day - I can only conclude that it’s safe!
In addition to ridding my skin of P. acnes without the drying effects of topical antibiotics, there might also be another benefit. A few years ago I read a study that found that both cold and heat therapy increased healing of the skin compared to the control and that neither hot or cold therapy was superior to each other. Because of this study, I have been alternating using the hand warmer and using ice on two ugly boils that I currently have on my chin. Normally these types of boils would stay on my skin for a month and turn purple and eventually require IPL or V-Beam to eliminate the purple-red scar beneath the suface of my skin. The first time I tried alternating heat and cold on one of these “subterranean” zits, the inflammation was eliminated in just a few hours and it shrunk down until it was almost flat. Now it’s just a small dark pink dot inside and I think it might heal without leaving a mark! Today I got another one and I noticed that immediately after using the hand warmer, the inflammation was significantly reduced.
I recently began using retinoids and my skin is very sensitive so I have not been able to use topical antibiotic creams. The ability to replace using benzoyl peroxide with this non-irritating method thrills me! And the price is just right for me.
Jen Says:
Thanks Kristy, sounds like you are really onto something. These hand warmers that you are using, are they that once activated release heat, like the Thermapad ones? How long do you place them on your face? Did you try any cold therapy along with the heat? I hear you on the subterranean zits LOL! I get them as well, usually on the chin… it bugs me to no end!
I have been on Retin A all summer and I have noticed some improvements, the skin sensitivity is a big issue for me as well. I still get one or two big zits around the time of my period. Love those hormones. Keep me posted on what continues to happen. Thanks for all your research, you might have saved me $149! Jen
rex opolis Says:
Oops! i just misposted this comment under another article! I’m reposting it here where i meant to the first time.
I’m also wondering about that No!No! hair removal system from Sephora. I’d really like to buy it, but I know it was available in other countries before being released here, and that it got some negative reviews. I would think that if Sephora is carrying it that maybe they improved the product. I have the most sensitive armpits (not to be gross), and shaving or waxing makes them angry. If it worked, I’d happily shell out the 250$.
Ruqayya Says:
Yes, Kristy…. Thanks for the info. Please keep us updated on the heat/cold therapy for zits. I also suffer from those pesky “subterranean” buggers and was seriously thinking about doing more research on the Zeno. - FYI: My skin is verrrrrry sensitive and can’t stand any of the topical medications. The actually make my zits worse and contribute to rashes, burns and even more zits.
Heat or cold, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to be an issue for me.
Jessica Says:
My derm who is a John Hopkins grad told me about using heat- it increases the circulation thus causing increased healing. I have been using a heat pad and it has worked well- I have heard bad things about the zeno in that it is so expensive to keep replacing the tips
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Andre Says:
Great post! Thanks for sharing. I personally like the products of Peter Thomas Roth a lot. Check out my post about the “best at-home facial”: http://www.bebeautified.com/skincare/best-at-home-facial/.
aj Says:
I wish your threads were dated, so I can tell how old this is. I’ve been researching the Quasar and stumbled across many Thermage horror stories. Based on what I’ve read–don’t do it!
kmw Says:
Hi, Just an fyi, I just bought a cleartouch lite on ebay for $200.00 extreemly great price! Radiancy says you can only get it from your derm and it runs around $500 after the apointments if your derm will perscribe it. I got the info on this product from extreeme makeover - Dr. Ava S. Can’t wait to get it and try!!!! I can’t use the Zeno. It burns my skin. The laser is a home use lhe lazer beam - newest invention to heal acne with a 90% success rate. The guy who sold it to me has 36 more to sell.
benaco_sales ~ that is his name on ebay. God Bless!!! : )
Monica Says:
I’m spoke to about four Doctors on Light Therapy (LED, DPL, Baby Quasar) and not one Doctors or technician would endorse it. Their answers regarding if the Baby Quasar will work were all similar. They basically said, like medicine, light therapy will work on some people and on some people it will have no effect at all. So, still needing to get more info I called the online stores like Bliss World, Baby Quasar and the other online stores that sell these items they all say that the Baby Quasar works best but speaking to a medical equiptment company that also sells the Baby Quasar they informed me that I should think logically about this. Online Beauty stores will of course try to sell the most expensive of all the Light Therapy tools and since the Baby Quasar has been out for only about one year they suggessted the best is to wait and see if this is the “great” beauty tool it claims to be or if in the long run it could have some side effects. In fact when talking to Baby Quasar they made a point of asking what medications I am taking and a warning disclaimer informing women if you are pregant not to use the Baby Quasar and if you get cotisone injections or are take steroidal medication - like for asthma you should not use the Baby Quasar. I do not want to make my discoloration worse so I think I will wait till at least the end of the year to see what others have to say regarding all the new tools.