Putting anti-aging devices to the test
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There's a new kind of gadget that's supposed to help make you look younger. Sure sounds good, but does it work?
The Good Housekeeping Research Institute put five of these hand-held LED devices to the test.
The devices are scaled down versions of the ones you seen in spas and dermatologist offices. You direct their red or infrared light to your skin, and the light is supposed to smooth out lines and improve skin texture and tone.
"Some of these led devices are quite costly ranging in price from about $200 to $400, so we wanted to evaluate them to see whether or not they were worth the money," said Charmaine Gillespie, the institute's beauty products analyst.
With very few exceptions, the testers' fine lines and wrinkles did not change. And some testers didn't enjoy using the devices.
"It has two settings. It has, like, infrared and then another, like this really intense LED, red light setting, which really bothered my eyes," said tester Angela Diegel.
But some testers using the Evis M.D. Facial Light ($295) and the Tanda Regenerate Anti-Aging Starting Kit ($275) did see some improvement.
"While you may get some skin benefits from led devices, they're expensive and they're time consuming, and you'll probably get just as good results from a much less expensive face cream," said beauty editor Leesa Suzman.
Good Housekeeping recommends using products with retinoids, which soften fine lines and brown spots by increasing collagen production.
The editors also suggests eating foods loaded with antioxidants, such as pomegranate, green tea, and soy. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals, which cause wrinkles and may lead to skin cancer.
The Good Housekeeping Research Institute put five of these hand-held LED devices to the test.
The devices are scaled down versions of the ones you seen in spas and dermatologist offices. You direct their red or infrared light to your skin, and the light is supposed to smooth out lines and improve skin texture and tone.
"Some of these led devices are quite costly ranging in price from about $200 to $400, so we wanted to evaluate them to see whether or not they were worth the money," said Charmaine Gillespie, the institute's beauty products analyst.
With very few exceptions, the testers' fine lines and wrinkles did not change. And some testers didn't enjoy using the devices.
"It has two settings. It has, like, infrared and then another, like this really intense LED, red light setting, which really bothered my eyes," said tester Angela Diegel.
But some testers using the Evis M.D. Facial Light ($295) and the Tanda Regenerate Anti-Aging Starting Kit ($275) did see some improvement.
"While you may get some skin benefits from led devices, they're expensive and they're time consuming, and you'll probably get just as good results from a much less expensive face cream," said beauty editor Leesa Suzman.
Good Housekeeping recommends using products with retinoids, which soften fine lines and brown spots by increasing collagen production.
The editors also suggests eating foods loaded with antioxidants, such as pomegranate, green tea, and soy. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals, which cause wrinkles and may lead to skin cancer.
