Power Tools That Will Take Your Skincare Regime To The Next Level

Are you still cleansing your face manually, shaving your legs with a razor, and visiting the spa any time you feel you could do with a more intensive treatment? Girl, you're so stuck in the 20th century! Beauty care power tools are the way to go these days — or so, at least, their manufacturers would like you to believe. What's available in motorized beauty care? Let's take a closer look!

Sonic Skincare Brushes

Skincare brushes are power tools, usually battery-operated, that take your facial skincare to the next level. Clarisonic, one of the most popular brands among skincare "junkies", now offers many different brushes.

Happy customers report that Clarisonic brush systems, for which it is possible to buy a variety of different brush heads to meet your skincare needs, reduced their acne, pore size, level of oiliness, and wrinkles. Skincare brushes may also even out your skin tone and lead to a radiant, healthy look — the result of much cleaner skin and increased blood circulation within the facial area. 

While Clarisonic's brushes are on the higher end of the price scale for skincare brushes, with its Mia 3 Facial Sonic Cleansing System costing around $200, other more inexpensive options are also on the market. Those who use them are often equally satisfied. The Olay ProX Advanced Cleansing System with Facial Brush, for example, goes for a mere $23, and is well-loved by many. The Philips PureRadiance Multi-Speed Skin Cleansing System costs around $125, while Braun makes a  device called the Mini-Facial Hair Electric Removal Epilator with Facial Cleansing Brush that facilitates hair removal as well as skin cleansing. This system sells for approximately $70. 

Are you interested in trying a skincare brush for yourself? Here are some things to look out for:

• Some skin cleansing brushes come with rotating heads, while others vibrate.
• More expensive skin brushes often come with more powerful motors, but if you have sensitive skin they may be too harsh for you. 
• Once you are using a skin brush, you need to replace your brush head regularly — around once every three months. 
• Though many brush manufacturers claim that their brushes are gentle enough for everyday use, some customers note that this is not true for their skin. You may want to avoid the temptation to use your new toy too much. Keep an eye on your skin and stop using your brush for a while if you do see any signs of irritation. 

Light Therapy For Your Skin

Light-emitting diode (LED) therapy is another buzzword in skincare. Also known as photodynamic therapy, these devices claim to combat acne and signs of aging by sending specific wavelengths into your skin. While blue light therapy targets the bacteria that commonly lead to acne, red light therapy is used to treat wrinkles. These small devices are an exciting option for those who would otherwise spend lots of money and time being treated professionally. 

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Light therapy devices currently on the market include the Talika light duo 590, which sells for around $86, the Love My Skin Anti-Ageing 32 Led Compact, which can be yours for $76, and the Lumie Clear, for around $150. Another popular device is the Baby Quasar PLUS Skincare Therapy Device, which is more expensive at $300. Depending on whether it's acne treatment or wrinkle reduction you are after, professionally conducted light therapy sessions will set you back between $40 and $200 a piece, making getting your own device a more pocket-friendly option.

At-Home Lasers For Your Skin

Anti-Age Lasers

They may not quite be the fountain of eternal youth, but at-home diode lasers are another very exciting option for people who prefer to self-administer regular anti-age treatments in privacy. Unlike light therapy, diode lasers can cause a slightly uncomfortable or tingling sensation, and your skin will be slightly inflamed for a while after using a diode laser. That is because diode lasers destroy old collagen cells to make way for the production of new ones.

Laser Hair Removal

Tria makes laser hair removal devices, which will set you back somewhere around $450 depending on the model, as well. Remington makes an Intense Pulsed Light device that does the same in a slightly different way, costing you around $240. These, of course, are just two choices out of many. Now, without the expense and inconvenience of professional laser hair removal sessions, you can achieve a lasting hairless effect at home! Pretty exciting!

Facial Toning Devices

If you've heard of and been curious about "microcurrent facials", also called "electric facials", you may be interested to know that at-home devices for facial toning are also available now. The NuFACE Mini ($200), for example, is an FDA-approved toning device that claims to improve facial contour, lines, and skin tone. The Biosincron Beauty Star, meanwhile, will set you back $130 and is another example of an at-home facial toning device. Though these devices sound pretty cool, potential buyers should be aware that their effects are short-lived, meaning you'll only see their benefits if you frequently use the device. For long-term results, you still need to turn to a qualified dermatologist. 

So, Time To Take The Plunge?

The good news is that treatments once limited to the salon are now entering the market for home use. Though some of these devices are quite the investment, they always cost less than professional treatments in the long run. Are they on par with those treatments, however? Often, the answer is "no". Despite that, many people see great benefits, making them satisfied users.

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Before you run to the store or place a device in your online shopping cart, though, never forget to bring your common sense along: skincare forums all over the internet, including right here on SteadyHealth, offer the experiences of real-life users. By looking for product reviews created by users with similar skin types as your own, you can often find out much more about a device than you would if you just read the manufacturer's marketing claims.