It’s not for nothing that many brides (and bridesmaids) spend a considerable amount of time and money adhering to a great skincare regime, often 12 to 18 months ahead of the big day. Brilliant radiance and snatched skin are great foundations for a beautiful bridal look.
In-salon treatments may be a part of your prep, but if your schedule between wedding planning and work is hectic, utilising the best at-home face and body devices could be a good option. There are solutions for redness, breakouts, improving skin texture and firmness, boosting collagen and more, if you know which tool to use.
Follow our guide to finding the best face and body devices to elevate your at-home skin regimen to new heights.
What’s the Difference Between Different Technologies?
- LED Light Therapy: Light-emitting diode, LED light therapy is a non-invasive way of treating concerns on the surface of the skin like breakouts and redness and deeper down to boost collagen production. Different coloured lights are used, and they work at some level of the skin where they are most effective. Blue light tackles acne-prone skin and breakouts, while near-infrared light penetrates the skin the furthest to stimulate collagen and elastin production for younger-looking skin. See our full guide on LED Light Therapy here.
- Microcurrent: A favourite treatment of beauty editors, microcurrent is a toning and lifting technology to give you snatched skin. It uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate the skin’s natural bioelectricity to stimulate collagen production within the cells. An anti-ageing effect, people love it for toning the skin.
- EMS Therapy: People often get confused between Microcurrent and EMS Therapy. Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) also uses electrical impulses but it works on the 32 facial muscles or body to lift, repair and restore health and form. Similar to working out regularly, EMS is a gym for the face and body when used in a skincare regime.
- Radio Frequency: A popular in-clinic treatment for firming the skin and promoting firmness, radio frequency heats the skin at a dermal level to stimulate collagen and elastin production. At-home radio frequency face and body devices are often combined with other therapies like LED Light Therapy, EMS or microcurrent to work on multiple skin concerns.
- Microdermabrasion: When a last-minute skin boost is needed, microdermabrasion is the perfect treatment. Both an in-clinic and at-home tool for clearing away the top layer of dead skin cells from the face, the device has a dual-action buffing and suction action. The skin is gently sanded with minute crystals to buff the skin and the suction action removes both dead skin cells and crystals as it glides across. Expect clearer pores, smoother skin and radiance instantly.
How Do At-Home & In-Clinic Devices Compare?
There are great face and body devices available that will elevate your skincare regimen. Used as instructed, they will have an impact on how your skin looks and feels. The devices are a one-off purchase even though some are an investment of hundreds of euro, but it’s good for shoppers on a budget.
In-salon treatments give you the benefit of professional expertise because a trained therapist has experience in both the treatment it self and your skin concern. Your treatment may require multiple visits to get the desired results and this can be pricey, but remember, you are paying an expert to help you.
The route you choose should depend on the severity of your skin condition. At-home face and body devices tend to not be as strong as the in-salon professional-grade machines operated by experts, and so will take longer to deliver, so you have to be committed.
The 5 Best Face Devices
1. Lyma Laser Starter Kit Bundle, €3,072.45
- Why We Love It: The beauty industry is buzzing about the Lyma Laser for its rejuvenating action. It delivers powerful low-level laser therapy deep within the skin to stimulate collagen production and increase blood circulation bringing oxygen and nutrients to ‘feed’ the skin from within. The Lyma Laser uses cold near-infrared laser light instead of heat to avoid damaging skin cells.
- Type: Handheld and cordless laser light device.
- What’s it Good For: Anti-ageing and the regeneration of lax and tired skin on the face, neck and decolletage including naso-labial lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles and forehead lines.
- How To Use: The clinically-graded device comes with a 30-day supply of Oxygen Mist and Glide, a conductor Gel, and both are applied before using the device for three minutes daily for 12 weeks. Follow with twice weekly sessions when results are obtained for maintenance.
2. SkinKrush Microdermabrasion Kit, €95
- Why We Love It: An Irish buy from a brand founded by two nurses, SkinKrush’s Microdermabrasion Kit is easy to use and works on all skin types from sensitive to oily (but not during an active breakout). The crystal-encrusted tips range from gentle exfoliation to deeper to suit your skin type, so sensitive skin might find tip one is their go-to for using every week but more resilient skin can work its way up to tip four for a more intense microdermabrasion session.
- Type: An at-home handheld microdermabrasion device with a USB cable to maintain radiant skin.
- What’s it Good For: Dull skin, all skin types, minimising blackheads, milia and dark spots and reducing spotty breakouts.
- How To Use: Use weekly on the face, neck (and body, if desired) on skin that is dull but not inflamed. The tips last for a minimum of four sessions before they need to be replaced. Lightly glide the tool across the skin (it’s doing the work) and no gel or serum is needed before treatment. Empty the filter inside after every use and clean the tips with soapy water before using again.
3. Déesse Pro Sculpta by Déesse Pro, €563.87
- Why We Love It: A one-and-done beauty tool, Déesse Pro Sculpta by Déesse Pro uses three technologies to correct several skin concerns. The device has TriGen Technology, a blend of red light therapy (LED), radio frequency (RF) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), to target visible signs of ageing. The muscle stimulation (EMS) comes from the steel spheres at the top of the battery-operated too, while the LED and RF action comes from the red light at the bottom. The red LED works deep within the skin to promote collagen production and boost hydration while the radio frequency heats beneath the skin to cause lax skin to contract and firm up. The device has six modes to tackle multiple signs of ageing and is used with a water-based conducive gel.
- Type: Multi-use handheld tool with a USB cable for ageing signs on the face and neck.
- What’s it Good For: Dull and loose skin, lifting the facial muscles to look more youthful, and to regenerate the contours of the face.
- How To Use: For modes one to three, it’s recommended to use for three minutes minimum on each area of the face (up to 25 minutes) and for modes five and six, use for three minutes. Plan a session every other day of the week or every two to three days as desired.
4. ZIIP HALO 2.0 Facial Toning Device, €399
- Why We Love It: ZIIP’s HALO toning device was used on Margot Robbie’s skin on the Barbie world tour of pink carpet premieres. A celebrity favourite, the handheld device is easy to use and has two technologies going on – nanocurrent and microcurrent to stimulate collagen and give the skin an instant glow. Microcurrent is working deep within the dermis, while nanocurrent is a lower level electrical charge that stimulates the cells and restores hydration, function and appearance.
- Type: Handheld device with a USB-C cable and an Electrical Complex Gel (50ml).
- What’s it Good For: Reviving dull skin and improving the tone, texture and contours of the face while instantly depuffing the skin for up to 72 hours. Suitable for all skin types, the ZIIP HALO has 23 intensity combinations.
- How To Use: The HALO comes with a conducive gel to prep the skin before use. There are six full facials, six targeted programmes and three preset plans to follow ranging in duration. It’s recommended to be used three to five times per week for that pink carpet Barbie glow.
5. Solawave 4-in-1Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand, €215.95
- Why We Love It: Solawave has a devoted fanbase for this regenerating wand and it’s the perfect size for travelling to keep puffiness and dryness at bay when aeroplane air and airports dull the skin. Using red LED light therapy to reduce redness and signs of fatigue, the tool gently vibrates with galvanic currents to help your skin get the most from your skincare. The warm facial massage action debloats the skin and under-eye dark circles to keep your skin looking fresh and radiant whether you are on the sofa in front of the TV or 32,000 feet in the air.
- Type: Handheld wand with seven LED lights that comes with a USB-C cable for instant and long-term skin improvement.
- What’s it Good For: Promotes better hydration, firmness and clearer skin while reducing redness, fine lines and dark circles on the face and neck.
- How To Use: The Solawave Wand is like a jade roller on steroids and you glide it across the skin in a similar method (after applying serum) for lymphatic drainage and to stimulate the skin to appear more youthful. Use on each area of the face for three minutes while the serum is still wet.
The 5 Best Body Devices
1. Foreo Bear 2 Body Toning Device, €318.45
- Why We Love It: Foreo uses two types of microcurrent in the latest Bear for the body. It works on thighs, buttocks, and abs to debloat, firm and boost microcirculation for tighter and smoother skin. The Bear has a massage feature and it’s clinically proven to improve skin firmness and elasticity to give a more sculpted and toned appearance. Used with a conductive gel, the device has different levels of microcurrent intensity to build on, and the Foreo app offers even more programmes.
- Type: Handheld, and easy to use, the cordless Bear comes with a USB-C cable to charge.
- What’s it Good For: Cellulite and dimpling on the thighs, firming the arms, abs and boosting firmness in the skin.
- How To Use: Cover the chosen area with a mask-like layer of conductive gel and use medium pressure to glide the bear over the body part as guided by the app.
2. NuBody by NuFace, €432.70
- Why We Love It: For tightening arms, abs, legs and buttocks, this works in 60 days once used five times a week as a starting point before you move into a maintenance programme. Created by aestheticians and clinically proven, NuBody uses microcurrent, low-voltage electrical charges that mimic the body’s own electrical charges at a cellular level to boost collagen and elastin to reduce sagging and the look of cellulite while firming, lifting and making the skin look smoother and healthier. Each treatment area takes five minutes before the device automatically switches off and you move to another body part.
- Type: Cordless, the handheld tool is easy to manoeuvre around the body and it comes with a conductive gel and a cable charger.
- What’s it Good For: Firming and sculpting the body all over, cellulite and lymphatic drainage.
- How To Use: Apply a thin layer of conductive gel and use long and slow upward movements to glide the device over the treatment area for five minutes before moving on. Repeat each session for better results.
3. Dr Dennis DRx SpectraLite BodyWare Pro, €530.45
- Why We Love It: From leading LED brand, Dr Dennis Gross, this is a next-generation moldable light therapy device that can be used anywhere on the body, including the neck and chest area. It uses 216 LED lights (148 red and 68 blue) and it has three treatment options to choose from: red light therapy, blue light therapy or red and blue light therapy. Red light eases tired muscles while boosting collagen production to minimise fine lines, wrinkles, redness and dark spots. Blue LED lights work on the surface of the skin to eliminate bacteria-causing breakouts. In the red and blue setting, it works on blemishes, muscles and skin texture.
- Type: Moldable mask, bend it to fit areas like arms, shoulders, knees and legs or lay it flat on areas like the chest and upper/lower back. Comes with a USB cable and storage bag.
- What’s it Good For: Sore muscles, acne-prone skin on the body, fine lines, radiance and redness.
- How To Use: Position the moldable mask on clean, dry skin and select the desired LED setting. Use for 14 minutes per treatment site when the device will automatically switch off. For best results, use two or three times weekly.
4. Sensica Sensifirm Device, €394.37
- Why We Love It: This has four electrodes you can use for larger areas, switching to smaller body parts, it uses just two to reduce cellulite and dimpling on the buttocks, thighs, tummy, hips, abs and arms. Using massage therapy alongside advanced radio frequency, it allows the warming heat of RF to penetrate the area deeply where it disrupts fat cells that cause dimples. Radio frequency also boosts collagen and elastin and over time the skin improves while the areas treated look smoother. Each session takes 10 minutes and one a week is recommended.
- Type: Handheld and cordless, the device comes with a conductive gel and charging cable.
- What’s it Good For: Dimpled and loose skin on the body to firm, tone and sculpt from the comfort of your couch or bathroom.
- How To Use: Apply the base layer gel on the area being treated and set the device at the highest level you feel comfortable with. Sensifirm has built-in sensors that monitor the heat of the device to ensure the skin’s safety and comfort and they adjust accordingly.
Contraindications to Consider
- LED Light Therapy: Not to be used by people who take certain medications that increase their sensitivity to sunlight, such as isotretinoin and lithium. Anyone with a history of certain conditions, including skin cancer and inherited eye diseases should also avoid using LED.
- Microcurrent: Contraindications for microcurrent include recent surgery, heart conditions, epilepsy, metal implants, and certain medications.
- EMS Therapy: Electrical Muscle Stimulation should not be used by anyone with a pacemaker, skin lesions in the treatment area, cardiac or epilepsy patients or inflammation of the veins in the body.
- Radio Frequency: Contraindications for radio frequency include diabetes, metal implants, blood and skin disorders, or infection/inflammation in the treatment area.
- Microdermabrasion: People who should not use microdermabrasion devices include those suffering from herpes simplex, shingles, vitiligo and any autoimmune disease. Sunburned skin is also on the list plus eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.
One more thing… Using beauty devices during pregnancy or while breastfeeding is generally not recommended. For those or any other health or skin conditions, consult with your GP or healthcare provider before purchasing.
Check out more makeup, skin and hair tips and ideas here or in our fashion and beauty shop and make sure to follow One Fab Day on Instagram!
