Great beauty gadgets to try now

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Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

When HG Wells envisioned the future, he predicted time travel, satellite television and more. Little did he know that we would one day have something better: beauty devices. It is now possible to zap a pimple with blue light, microcurrent your way to a brow lift and annihilate your bikini line during lunch. Infinite possibilities await.

Many home beauty devices don’t require specialised training. And although it may take longer to get from A to B in terms of results, with diligent use it is possible to achieve results akin to an in-clinic appointment. Efforts to democratise skin tech started with sonic facial brushes in the early 2000s, giving way to now-viral devices such as NuFace, the Lyma Laser and CurrentBody’s LED face mask. With ever-evolving tech specs – often with more than one function – each new iteration of these products boasts more competitive features. It’s no wonder the global beauty-device market is expected to reach around $236bn by 2030. 

Celluma Restore, £1,495

CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2, £399

A multitasker that recently caught my eye is Lightinderm (£400), a wand stick that uses different serum capsules to lift, repair, reduce redness, purify or brighten. The device’s low-intensity light waves support cellular repair, while the vibrating massage stimulates facial muscles. I also have my eye on the Korean-made Medicube Age-R Booster Pro (£400), which, unlike some devices, can be used with your existing skincare range. The four main modes – Booster, Microcurrent, Derma Shot and Air Shot – improve radiance, collagen production and elasticity. Combine with a dedicated face or neck LED device. I like the CurrentBody Series 2 LED mask: with a chin-strap addition, it is more elevated than the previous iterations – the new level of wavelengths helps with acne scarring and delivers serious anti-ageing results.

It makes me look like Darth Vader, but the force is strong

Clinical treatments that tackle saggy jowls, neck waddle and droopy eyelids often use high-level thermal energy, CO₂ resurfacing lasers or injectables, all of which come with some degree of downtime and recovery. Anté Beauty’s Kanyen RF Facial Device (£399) treats all of these concerns, minus the discomfort. The ridged, shell-like gadget delivers radio-frequency (RF) heat 3.5mm into the dermis to stimulate collagen production. On the surface, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) waves replicate muscle movements to tighten and lift, delivering professional-grade results at your convenience. 

Nasa developed LED technology in the 1990s to enhance plant growth and decrease wound-healing time in space. It was adopted by the skincare industry in the early 2000s. One of my favourite new LED devices is Therabody’s TheraFace Mask (£549): with 648 lights, it boasts three times more LEDs than leading mask competitors, combining red light to stimulate collagen, blue to fight acne-causing bacteria and infrared to boost circulation. It might make me look like Darth Vader, but the force is strong.

Foreo Peach 2 IPL Hair Removal Treatment, £369

Medicube Age-R Booster Pro, £400, mykstyle.co.uk

Dermatologist-approved manufacturer Celluma also harnesses LED technology – this time to tackle hair loss. The three-mode Restore device (£1,495) emits polychromatic light (red, blue and infrared) to stimulate regrowth. It can also be placed on the face to increase collagen and elastin production, or wrapped around joints to alleviate pain and inflammation. 

At the other end of the haircare market is Foreo’s Peach 2 IPL Hair Removal Treatment (£369), which zaps hair in a flash with its bigger than average 9sq cm treatment window, giving three times more coverage than other devices for a faster treatment. The built-in cooling system reduces skin heating, making it one of the most innovative home lasers on the market. 

When looking to invest in an at-home device, focus on the device’s primary function: use RF devices for tightening and treat the accompanying EMS as a bonus. Where most devices now incorporate LED, I suggest always investing in a standalone LED device. Above all, remember that there’s no quick fix – in-clinic or at home. Follow the instructions, set a reminder for sessions and discuss accompanying skincare suggestions with your aesthetician to boost results. Persistence beats resistance.