PracticalDermatology

DIY, at-home beauty devices that target wrinkles, unwanted hair, acne, and a host of other skin conditions continue to be an ever-expansive category with new options being added almost daily. In fact, the beauty device market is set to soar by 2020—with at-home devices leading the pack, according to research from Reportbuyer.

This review will introduce a group of “best-in-class” devices that can be used in conjunction with or separate from routine dermatologic services. Dermatologists should be familiar with these devices, as patients and consumers are increasingly interested in them.

FOREO LUNA 2

FOREO LUNA 2 is a cleansing and anti-aging device in one. The cleansing side uses T-sonic pulsations to gently exfoliate, unclog pores, and cleanse skin. The anti-aging side uses lower-frequency pulsations to minimize wrinkles and enhance the absorption of serums and creams. ($249)

FOREO IRIS Anti-Aging Eye Massager

Inspired by Asian eye massage techniques, FOREO IRIS Anti-Aging Eye Massager uses gentle pulsations and alternating T-sonic technology to improve the appearance of crow’s feet, dark circles, and under-eye puffiness. ($139)

Clarisonic Alpha Fit Sonic Cleansing System for Men

Many practices are focusing on bringing more men in for aesthetic procedures, and the Clarisonic Alpha Fit Sonic Cleansing System for Men is a great tool for this nascent patient population. It helps men clean their face and beard. It clears away dirt, sweat, and oil six times better than manual cleansing, working to remove impurities from pores and preparing skin for a smoother shave. ($219)

DERMAFLASH Facial Exfoliating Device

This is like an at-home dermaplaning device. DERMAFLASH exfoliates to remove vellus hair, dead skin cells, and other debris, with replaceable blades. ($189)

Baby Quasar Plus Wrinkle Reducing Therapy/Baby Quasar Baby Blue Anti-Acne Light Therapy

We have sold these devices for a long time. The Plus uses amber, infrared, and red light therapy to address wrinkles, large pores, and loss of tone and firmness. The Baby Blue uses blue light therapy to eliminate the bacteria that cause acne vulgaris. Baby Quasar also recently released two smaller, more compact devices designed for men. The Pure Rayz uses red light therapy to stimulate collagen, minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. The Clear Rayz combines blue light to address acne and red light to reduce inflammation. The science behind these products is improving and seems to bear out the results patients are seeing. ($399 each)

Osmotics 3-in-1 Ageless Facial Enhancer

Osmotics 3-in-1 Ageless Facial Enhancer features red light for fine lines and wrinkles, blue light for acne and green light for discoloration. ($298)

Me–chic/iluminage Precise Touch Permanent Hair Reduction

Laser hair removal has decreased significantly in dermatology practices because it has become so commoditized, and these devices offer something that is affordable and can be seen as an add-on for in-office laser hair removal. me– chic and iluminage Precise Touch both use IPL and radiofrequency technology to remove hair in as little as seven weekly treatments. The jury is still out as to whether you can get permanent results with seven weekly treatments, but it does help. ($199/$245)

Later this year, me– will also release the me– sleek, a new hair removal device that has a larger treatment window and a quicker flash rate, which allows for faster treatment times. Stay tuned.

me clear

me clear eliminates P. acnes bacteria with blue light therapy, and is great for travel. This device uses sonic vibration to increase microcirculation, which helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. ($39)

me bright

The travel-friendly me– bright Eye Illuminating Device uses red light to promote cell regeneration and radiofrequency to stimulate collagen and elastin. ($129)

NuFACE Trinity Facial Toning Kit

NuFACE Trinity’s microcurrent technology is going gangbusters at our practice. It tightens and tones and includes a plethora of attachments including those that target the lips and the eyesI think it is one of the most clever devices out there and one that has a huge satisfaction rate among my patients. ($325)

NEWA Wrinkle Reduction Device

Using radiofrequency technology, NEWA Wrinkle Reduction Device promotes collagen production and restores the skin’s natural support system. I use the Endymed radiofrequency device in office and recommend NEWA for at-home use. ($500)

iluminage Skin Smoothing Laser

iluminage Skin Smoothing Laser is the first at-home laser that is FDA-cleared to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. ($595)

iluminage Pillowcase with Copper Oxide

The copper ions offer anti-aging benefits to encourage softer, smoother skin and the polyblend fabric helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier. This same technology is also available in an eye mask, gloves, and socks. ($60)

HairMax LaserBand 82/LaserBand 41

HairMax LaserBand 82 is a hands-free red light therapy device that slows the thinning process and promotes healthy growth by stimulating the hair follicle. HairMax also just released the new LaserBand 41, which is less expensive, slimmer, and more compact for treatment on the go. ($795/$545)

The Bottom Line

None of these devices will ever replace the procedures that we, as dermatologists, can offer our patients today to smooth wrinkles, get rid of acne and unwanted hair and improve skin tone and texture, but they do work very nicely with our toolbox of surgical and nonsurgical treatments.

*Prices quoted reflect those on lovelyskin.com

Joel Schlessinger, MD, is the founder of Skin Specialists, P.C., the Advanced Skin Research Center and the LovelySkin Spa in Omaha. He is also the founder of the Cosmetic Surgery Forum. He originally presented this talk during Cosmetic Surgery Forum 2016 in Las Vegas.