Try them at home: anti-aging gadgets
DIY high-tech beauty gadgets designed to lift, firm and improve the skin are big news this year. We’ve got the low down on 3 of the best. By Lisa Barrett
Contour creator
Slendertone has long been known for its successful body firming gadgets, however, its latest innovation, Slendertone Face, focuses on the facial muscles and is all set to become just as popular.
What is it?
Slendertone Face is a slim, lightweight headset that attaches to the side of the face with adhesive gel pads. An attached handheld control unit has 2 programmes to deliver the electrical muscle stimulation required.
How does it work?
From our mid 20s, our facial muscles decrease in mass which causes the attached skin to sag and our cheeks to become hollow. Electro muscle stimulation (EMS) is designed to gently stimulate the muscles by activating a nerve on the side of the face which reaches all the facial muscle groups, helping to increase muscle mass and eventually improving the skin’s plumpness and firmness.
As well as firming, EMS helps to increase blood flow to the surface of the skin which can lead to a softer, more radiant complexion.
How is it used?
The best results are achieved by wearing the Slendertone Face for 20 minutes a day, five times a week for 12 weeks. Users report noticing changes in the skin after two weeks, with further gentle lifting after six weeks. After 12 weeks the maintenance programme of 20-minute sessions once a week for 2-3 weeks can be used to sustain the improvements in the skin.
Slendertone Face, £149; www.slendertone.com
Light your way to beautiful skin
Lasers and Light Therapy facials are the newest in red carpet treatments favoured by celebrities and models on the prowl for a perfect complexion. LightStim for Wrinkles is a gadget that aims to give you salon-worthy skin at home.
What is it?
The LED light therapy that has dermatologists and skincare clinics filling their books with delighted clients has now been cleverly incorporated into a light and portable hand-held gadget.
How does it work?
Collagen and elastin are the linchpins of healthy, young skin keeping it bright, flexible and smooth. As production slows down as we age, wrinkles form and skin can become dull. LightStim uses multi-wave technology combining 4 therapeutic wavelengths (colours) of light that penetrates the top layer of skin to stimulate the natural production of collagen and elastin, resulting in a more youthful appearance as skin tone is revitalised and fine lines and wrinkles are reduced.
How is it used?
After applying the LightStim Collagen Peptide Serum or your moisturiser of choice to your face, neck and chest, switch it on and touch the skin gently with the gadget, leaving it in place for around 3 minutes before moving on to a new area. Repeat until all desired areas have been treated. It can also be used around the lips; use around the eye area to help reduce puffiness. Results should be seen in about 8 weeks; use 2-3 times a week thereafter to maintain the effects.
LightStim for Wrinkles, £249, comes with protective goggles, Collagen Peptide Serum, a beauty bag and 9 volt power supply; www.spacenk.com
Tone up and tweak
More than 6,000 salons, clinics and spas worldwide use the CACI face firming technology to gain great results and now you can use it yourself at home.
What is it?
The CACI Microlift is a sleek hand-held, battery-operated facial toning gadget with four prongs to which Electro Buds are attached. It uses patented muscle gripping action to lift and firm the facial muscles and has an LCD display, push-button treatment selection and beep tone treatment guidance for easy use. There is a toning programme, wrinkle programme and a choice of three treatment intensity levels.
How does it work?
Low frequency, micro current impulses work in harmony with the body’s bio electrical field. This and the muscle gripping action help to trigger a stretch reflex response in the facial muscles, which effectively gives the muscles a ‘workout’ and helps restore firmness. The ‘release’ technique is used in areas where muscles have become taut by regular common actions such as frowning and squinting and this relaxes them. The high frequency impulses in the Wrinkles Programme targets skin tissues and assists the penetration of the active ingredients on the Electro Buds to help soften and reduce creases and lines.
How is it used?
The CACI Microlift includes indepth instructions outlining the correct strokes and techniques for each muscle group. For the first four treatments the device is used on low to medium, and after can be switched up to high intensity as the muscles get used to the treatment. But always avoid using high intensity around the eyes. Ten minutes four times a week is recommended and twice a week thereafter.
CACI Microlift, £349.99; caci-microlift.co.uk
Our testing in progress: Our favourite is the LightStim Wrinkle for its ease of use and the soothing warmth it emits making the treatment relaxing and pampering. A good skincare regime and daily facial massage will also help maximise the benefits of using an at-home anti aging device. Find out how to give yourself a facial massage here.
