LED light masks and other gadgets / facials advice please

[WrinklyCrowsFace]

Hi, not really posted on here before so apologies if the wrong board! I keep getting loads of adverts on Instagram for various "gadgets", I suppose you would call them.. LED facemasks, microneedling for your face, under-eye patches that you charge up. Stuff about electric currents and LED and red light. Also I am getting loads of adverts for various facials, often with a discount.

So I would love to know, firstly do any of these gadgets work? If so, which ones? Seems I get a different one every day

And also - do facials work? There seem to be so many on the market, and they aren't cheap! But they promise stuff like 'skin tightening' which I think is what I need. I've had ads from Champneys Spa, and the rest are small independent beauticians from within about a 50 mile radius. I sort of feel if I'm going to bother I might as well something a bit grounded in science.

I am early 40's, have crow's feet (a bit), wrinkles on my forehead, but my main issue is having gone jowly. My cheeks have dropped and gone down so my face shape is not an oval anymore. My cheeks are 'sunken'

Any advice would be most gratefully received. I know I won't end up looking like a supermodel but I would like to look a bit nicer and younger!

I felt very foolish in the past for signing up to things that don't work so really want to avoid this again. Thanks for reading 😃

Realistically, creams and gadgets are not going to make gravity disappear or magically undo the natural ageing process. Some things have effect but they need to hit certain science backed parameters. I suspect the ones doing the rounds on Instagram ads probably aren't meeting that.

It's similar with facials, most are nice to have but aren't going to move the needle on anything aside from feeling nice and relaxed directly after. Some facials at medispas can be effective but as above you need to do your research and be very specific about what you're looking for that will actually deliver and address your needs.

Best thing to do is start with a good skincare routine and branch out from there. If you've got lots of money to throw at the problem and don't want to figure it all out by yourself, head to a dermatologist specialising in cosmetics. If you don't want to go down the Botox/filler route, look for one that specialises in laser.

Thank you for your response; I was kind of thinking it was too good to be true, but you know... 😅

I don't have loads of money but would going to a dermatologist be worth it? I'm absolutely useless at doing research and am very time poor... What would I ask for? Just like a face evaluation? Would the dermatologist be neutral or would they try and sell me stuff too? It seems that if it's an actual doctor doing the treatment it is more costly than a nurse, which is more costly than an aesthetician.

Is a medispa a brand or a type of spa? Maybe I will go for that...
I am a bit worried by fillers because I wouldn't want to look like someone who's had fillers, if that makes sense?

And whilst I wouldn't be against botox in principle, I wouldn't want to look 'startled'.

Foreo Bear does work. So does Rene Guinot Liftadermie. Other than that Botox for the upper face.

I had a facial in October. First time in 10 years. (I’m 47.)

She told me that my skin is good for my age but sensitive and I am to have nothing to do with retinols or fillers but to focus on cleansing and moisturising and drinking plenty of water. I bought the Upcircle serum, eye cream, moisturiser and face oil and have never had so many compliments on my skin.

No gritty exfoliaters - I use a gentle AHA one once a week. The few milia spots I had are working their way out.

Had my Botox last week (just forehead and 11s) and asked about the bottom of my face. She said she wouldn’t touch it with Botox, fillers or anything else.

I’m tempted to get a micro needling roller, just because I’m vegetarian and may need to encourage collagen.

Medispa is a type of spa attached to a medical clinic/practitioner. They tend to have lots of machines and not so much in terms of nice smells and relaxing music. They'll offer things like medical grade peels, hydro facials with weird sucking apparatus, LED therapy treatments, CACI facials etc. They also tend to sell 'medical' sounding expensive skincare brands like Skinceuticals, Obagi, etc. It also tends to be more expensive and often it's a treatment of several sessions so it can add up quickly. Laser, to my mind, seems the more sensible money up front option with long lasting results. The other treatments IMO often cater to people who are very into trying all sorts of things (especially the latest thing) in pursuit of looking younger, but they have their individual benefits.

I wouldn't go stretching myself for a dermatologist if you're unsure as it could end up an expensive experience. There does tend to be a lot more upselling than in your usual interactions with medical trained professionals. You could look into the prescription tretinoin subscription services like Skin and Me or Dermatica, they offer an online consultation and they'll include other products aside from the prescription product.

I'm personally uninterested in Botox and fillers as it gives a very a particular look, especially over time, so completely understand the hesitance but it does tend to be the quickest fix around (bar surgery) for noticeable results.

Thanks for this, would you microneedle yourself at home? I have seen some on Amazon and am kind of tempted but wouldn't know how to use them!

That's good they advised against botox on lower face

If you don't mind me asking, how did the botox feel, does it hurt? Can you move your face a bit or is it completely unmovable. The 11s are something else I am worried about as they are starting to show and I really hate them!!

Thank you for these, I will look up... Are they chains or like a brand which people use?

Thanks, this is really helpful 😊 some of the things I have looked into are like '£50 off your first session' but don't say how many sessions you need and I am hopeless with being assertive so don't want to go and meet someone as I will (stupid I know) end up signing up for lots of sessions.

So if there are any treatments where you only need one of it / a one-off, that is what I am after (if that makes sense!)

Yeah, I understand desire for simplicity, but skin is a long term game and you're essentially swimming upstream when ageing is the concern. Doesn't stop a lot of predatory people from presenting that it is that easy and possible, unfortunately that's how they make their money.

The best spend of your money is the everyday stuff that you do consistently. It needn't be crazy expensive but once you've got that covered you can consider any need for additional treatments.

I keep reading amazing things about the new Shark Beauty LED task mask but not yet personally tried it. Very tempted though.

I’ve been having Botox for about 5 years. I work in a job where it’s not good if people know what I’m thinking (and my frown muscles are STRONG).

I don’t have it all frozen, just restricted movement (baby Botox). I have very little in the hairline (no visible forehead lines) and a fair bit just in the 11s and above the eyebrows just either side. Don’t have any further across to avoid my upper lids getting heavy. Have a top up if needed 2 weeks later. Lasts 4 months on average.

I barely feel it.

Agreed.

The bear is a hand held stimulant device.

Oh gosh sorry 😳 I need to do more research, clearly!!

What would you recommend for everyday use? Like no.7 maybe or something like that? Totally feel like there is a lot of predatory people about, and it worries me.

I have a Shark vacuum cleaner which is amazing so maybe I'll look at this!

Ooh this sounds good. I think I would like some movement. Maybe this is what I need to shop around for. Do you always go to the same person? I would like the person doing it to get to know me, so they know what it is that I like

https://www.foreo.com/bear-collection?srsltid=AfmBOorGSXOdfVKVR-j5OMwDXmgT0oAzXkxk_1uWyvO-YpwzZjLNP7yY

Is this the bear you mean @ThatIsNotMyNameSoWhyAreYouCallingMeThat ? X

I own a Foreo bear but I'm a skincare nerd and enjoy trying new things. While I do feel it has effect I'm fairly sure that when I don't use it I'm the only that notices the subtle difference from when I'm using it and not. That's enough for me, but won't be enough for everyone.

As per previous I'd get a tretinoin prescription through Skin+Me or Dermatica, you can buy the other skincare products they sell or go elsewhere. I think Geek and Gorgeous is a good budget option if you only want to buy from one brand and not have it be too complicated. Medik8 is worth looking at if you want to spend more (but really not necessary).

An effective anti aging routine is essentially made up of Vitamin ABC + SPF, all of which tend to be separate products. Tretinoin is vitamin A, Vitamin B tends to cover barrier support ingredients, usually in a moisturiser, Vitamin C is just a vitamin C serum. With the use of these actives you need to use SPF daily, year round and you need to top up with prolonged outdoor exposure, doing all the previous without SPF would be a waste of any banked improvement.

My facialit said I shouldn’t go anywhere near vitamin A. It can do a lot of damage to sensitive skin. Skin+Me gave me rosacea.

I would recommend getting your skin looked at by someone qualified, OP, before splashing out on anything.

The upcircle stuff is the best I’ve used in years (and I could cry at what I’ve spent on less effective stuff).

She’s my second, only changed because I moved.

That’s the one. Wait for the sales though.

If you have instagram follow Caroline Hirons and her brand Skinrocks. I knew nothing about skin care and routines before I started watching her, now I have a routine and have tried a lot of new products.

They also do their own line of stuff