While anti-ageing wellness used to be all about ancient wisdom and natural solutions, these days we’re going more and more high-tech. Whether you want to bust cellulite, zap hair or blast zits, there is a high-tech gadget out there for you. So we rounded up the latest of the latest beauty gadgets, and investigated how they can help your wellbeing.
1. The Cellulite Buster: First up, we looked at the Bliss FatGirlSlim Lean Machine. To use it, wellness expert Liesa Goins instructs, ‘Roll this handheld device over cellulite-prone areas to reduce the appearance of orange-peel skin.’ But does it work? According to Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey, ‘The Lean Machine makes cellulite look slightly better, but like any non-surgical cellulite treatment, the effects are temporary.’
2. The Callus Blaster: To experience softer, callus-free feet, try the Clarisonic Pedi System. Goins details, ‘High-speed oscillation plus a buffing brush, smoothing disk and treatment creams help soften feet.’ While you should still avoid the Clarisonic Pedi System if you have diabetes, Doris Day, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine, admits, ‘The device is safer than other scrapers, which can lead to infection.’
3. The Face Lifter: Let’s look at the NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device. Goins notes, ‘The tool emits microcurrents—tiny electric charges—to stimulate skin cells for a tightening effect.’ And it seems as though our wellness experts approve. Francesa Fusco, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, says, ‘It’s non-invasive and can temporarily tighten the brows, jawline and cheeks.’
4. The DIY Whitener: The Glo Science Glo Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device is a mouthpiece that ‘uses heat and light to activate a whitening gel,’ says Goins. Jack Ringer, DDS, president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, comments, ‘What I like most is the desensitizing agent in the peroxide gel,’ which makes whitening more tolerable. However, if you want to see truly dramatic results, you’ll need to see a pro.
5. The Hair Zapper: The remove hair from unwanted places – like on your chin – you might want to use the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X. Goins points out, ‘This diode laser emits energy that targets the pigment in the hair follicle, destroying it so hair stops growing.’ We gave this high-tech gadget to one of our readers, who treated her coarse chin hair for two weeks before it grew in finer and more slowly. She asserts, ‘Though the treatments are a little painful they’re worth it.’ However, Carolyn Jacob, MD, a Chicago dermatologist, notes that as the laser hits a small area, it’s best for your bikini line, armpits and face.
6. The Acne Eraser: The IlluMask Anti-Acne Light Therapy Mask takes a two-pronged attack on your acne. Goins outlines, ‘This welder-style mask emits blue light to kill acne-causing bacteria and red light to reduce inflammation, promising clearer skin after 30 days of use.’ Our tester recalls, ‘I put it on, hit the button and the lights did their thing. A few weeks later, I noticed fewer breakouts by my chin.’ And what about the expert? Dr. Jacob admits, ‘There are some great studies showing repeated treatments with blue light reduce acne.’
7. The Mani Maximizer: When you use the Red Carpet Manicure Starter Kit, ‘the polishes harden when exposed to the LED wavelength for a salon-style gel finish,’ says Goins. However, when we gave our reader the Red Carpet Manicure Starter Kit, she was turned off by the process in spite of having a manicure that held up for two weeks. She explains, ‘Your nails have to dry fully between each step or you’ll have sub-par results.’