Nine Easy Ways To Erase Age

More baby boomers than ever–about 78.2 million–are entering their golden years. They just don’t want to look like they are.

Do-it-yourself, home-use gadgets designed to treat wrinkles and other signs of aging through lasers, micro-currents, oxygen blasts and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are becoming increasingly popular. In total, the U.S. anti-aging skincare market, of which these products are a part, reached $1.6 billion in 2007, a surge of 63% from sales of $1 billion in 2002, according to Mintel, a global consumer, product and market research firm.

Spavelous Preferred Home Products

And there’s no sign of slowing down. The global market is projected to reach $115.5 billion by 2010, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts, a market research firm. The United States and Europe lead this growth, with a 62.8% share of the global market based figures from 2007. And just today, a small company’s stock price soared over a new drug it claims can reduce wrinkles.

Even though the spa industry is thriving (with 32 million regular visitors hitting U.S. spas in 2007, according to the International Spa Association), at-home tools could make a dent in that success. The solutions are not only convenient, they can cost significantly less over the long term.

Bliss Spa’s Quadruple Thigh Pass, an anti-cellulite treatment that includes a custom-blend micro-circulation, sluggish lymph gland handling and two types of massages costs $125 for a 60-minute session, with a recommended six treatments to see results. While a similar at-home version of the treatments costs $1,722, the device is worth the extra up-front expense if it is used frequently.

Part of the excitement over products such as these is due to their wide availability. Premium anti-aging products are sold at a mass-market level in department, specialty and drug stores. Cosmeceutical technology is also growing so quickly that many people are opting to use the compact devices in lieu of spa treatments.

“We can’t keep these tools on the shelf,” says Ann Marie Cilmi, director of education at Bliss Spa. “These devices are a great way to get quick results in the privacy of your own home. You don’t have to make an appointment to go to the spa, especially if there isn’t one in your immediate area.”

The Power Of Light

Most of the handheld machines, such as PerriconeMD Cosmeceuticals’ Light Renewal and Ageless Beauty Marvel-Mini Facial Light Therapy, which retail at $335 and $225, respectively, use LED technology. Green light bulbs target hyperpigmentation and dark spots, while red light treats fine lines and wrinkles.

The light targets the cells that produce collagen and elastin, explains Dr. Nicholas Perricone, founder of PerriconeMD Cosmeceuticals.

“Light Renewal works to generate energy within those cells, thereby making them more productive and efficient,” he says. “The result is a visibly improved appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improved appearance of skin texture, tone and firmness.”

It’s recommended that these at-home light treatments be used about 20 to 30 minutes, two times a week for four weeks.

Questionable Results

While there have been few studies on the long-term effects of these devices, Perricone says that independent clinical trials of his device based on 9- and 12-week studies have shown an 83% improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

But Terri Lynn Hughes, owner of Lavender & Lime Spa in Greenwood, Ariz., is skeptical.

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Hughes says that she was using Revital Light in her spa but discontinued the procedure because she couldn’t justify the cost to her clients.

And, according to Mintel’s survey, “substantial numbers [of respondents] report not having found any [anti-aging] products that work for them, even if they continue to seek them out.”

Consumers should also be careful when it comes to thermal devices and should make sure that all tools have been cleared by the FDA.

“There have been few clinical studies conducted on these devices,” says David McDaniel, director at the Institute of Anti-Aging Research. “But the majority of these products are not dangerous because they use an insignificant amount of low-light therapy or electrical stimulation. They are more harmful to your pocket book than anything else.”

Hughes advises the best anti-aging treatment is skin education.

“Diligent sun care is vital,” she says, “as well as exercise, a clean diet and plenty of sleep and relaxation.”

 

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