Hello and happy new year! If you are back at your desk, like I am, here’s hoping this thread can provide a little low-stress procrastination to ease you into 2024.
In the spirit of resolutions (and also very much inspired by the guide to wedding skin prep I published last week), I am resolving to get back to my skincare machines.
I need no convincing of if they work or not (facialist Raquel Medina-Cleghorn’s talk of mitochondria and ATP gave me even more renewed spirit here). And while I’ve had dedicated flings with several devices (the Dr. Dennis Gross mask, the Current Body version, a ZIIP, plus a NuFace I gifted to my mother and then ruthlessly stole back, just to have it live under my sink, unused by both of us…), I’ve struggled to build the actual habit.
A little collectivism may spur me to pick up the habit this year. So I’m politely asking: What skincare tools are you loving? What’s made the difference and how do you get yourself to stick to it?
Habit stacking with something I was going to do anyway is the only way I can get myself to stick to any semblance of consistency with devices!
AM: Dennis Gross LED Face Mask / LED Lip Mask + legs on wall + listening to the Today Show (someday I aspire to listen to a meditation/breathing exercise instead... but not today :) )
I've been thinking I need to buy a new high frequency device! I had one that I stole from the ITG beauty closet back in 2019 and went so hard using it, I blew it out. I think it's time to try again.
I've been coveting the Omnilux Men LED Mask. It's supposed to penetrate deeper because men generally have 25% thicker skin than women (according to Omnilux). So glad you asked about cleaning it, because that's been one of the things holding me back from buying. Also, I appreciate Amanda's habit stacking tip!
I use the dr. Dennis gross mask pretty religiously and I have never gotten more compliments on my appearance from so many people. (you’re glowing! Your skin looks so good! Did you do something new? My husband has told me how hot I am more in the last month than in our entire relationship..)
I’ve also started using it on my scalp for hair growth and health but no report on that yet.
Dennis Gross for just over a year and I think it's wonderful. I love the blue light addition. I think between regular (5x/week) mask usage + alternating days tretinoin/mandelic, my skin now looks better in my early 40s than it did at any point in my 30s.
I have been using mine for about a month as it was an intentional Black Friday purchase for me - haven’t hit the full recommended time yet but have also had a ton of compliments on skin already and accidentally had given myself a small chemical burn on my face which faded much quicker than usual
A bit too soon to tell but like most things, if you use it daily for a long period of time I think it slowly builds up and makes a difference!
I bought the ZIIP and have only been using for a short period of time but it's short (4 min) and I can feel it's little zaps. My skin definitely looks fresh afterward.
Once you’ve tried it, can you speak to the difference between the OG and the new halo version? I’m tempted by the Halo but I’m pretty sporadic about my OG ZIIP, not sure it’s worth the upgrade. I do love my ZIIP and definitely notice both a small immediate difference and overall glowy effect if I use it regularly.
I do Nuface while watching TV at night and see a big difference in lifting at jaw and eyes. I followed Hot and Flashy's method of using it. I do it every few days and have for two years.
My issue with the face masks is I feel like having stuff pressed directly against my face was bad for my rosacea/irritation/and maybe even acne? I had the dr Dennis gross and actually sold it on Poshmark for this reason because I felt like it was causing more harm than good and even if I wiped with alcohol it somehow never felt fully clean enough to be pressed against my face. I would love to try the shield versions that sit slightly off your face but I feel like they’re not as effective? I haven’t seen great info on any of them. Or the panel versions (celluma) you sit under but they’re SO expensive and also you can’t really do anything else while using….
Habit stacking with something I was going to do anyway is the only way I can get myself to stick to any semblance of consistency with devices!
AM: Dennis Gross LED Face Mask / LED Lip Mask + legs on wall + listening to the Today Show (someday I aspire to listen to a meditation/breathing exercise instead... but not today :) )
PM: Apply nail oil + NuFace + podcast
Love this, going to do it now while I watch Housewives
i love my stacked skincare high frequency device, and it's not too expensive. it's always my first line of defense against any breakout, big or small
I've been thinking I need to buy a new high frequency device! I had one that I stole from the ITG beauty closet back in 2019 and went so hard using it, I blew it out. I think it's time to try again.
Hi Emily , would love to send you our Skin Gym high frequency wand to try out !
I've been coveting the Omnilux Men LED Mask. It's supposed to penetrate deeper because men generally have 25% thicker skin than women (according to Omnilux). So glad you asked about cleaning it, because that's been one of the things holding me back from buying. Also, I appreciate Amanda's habit stacking tip!
ATM I only use a high-frequency wand - sometimes I use a red light wand or a nuface but 5 nights out of 7 it's just the wand
Follow up: Will any old from Amazon do or do you prefer a certain brand like Stacked?
Alright I need to get a new one
I use the dr. Dennis gross mask pretty religiously and I have never gotten more compliments on my appearance from so many people. (you’re glowing! Your skin looks so good! Did you do something new? My husband has told me how hot I am more in the last month than in our entire relationship..)
I’ve also started using it on my scalp for hair growth and health but no report on that yet.
Color me convinced. How do you clean it? And at what point in your routine do you do it?
I like the biom wipes. All natural disinfectant and I use them everywhere from counter tops to dog paws to mask. Compostable too so no guilt!
I typically do it in the morning post cleansing and before my vitamin c.
Dennis Gross for just over a year and I think it's wonderful. I love the blue light addition. I think between regular (5x/week) mask usage + alternating days tretinoin/mandelic, my skin now looks better in my early 40s than it did at any point in my 30s.
And I keep a pack of Honest alcohol wipes with the mask in order to clean immediately after use.
I’m been debating getting the Nuface for years! Has anyone actually seen their jawline sharpen because of it?
It feels like a gentle massage and helps relieve tension. And I do feel *slightly* more sculpted after.
Ok now I'm amped up to do this tonight.
For someone who holds tension in their jaw I’m enjoying the Nuface
Say more! I never thought abou this!
I’ve been coveting the Lyma for so long but the price tag makes me sweaty (so I will continue to covet from afar, lol)
I've only heard glowing things (maybe Sofie Pavitt will hop in the comments and confirm), but I, too, haven't pulled the trigger.
i have the lightstim for acne and i'm always forgetting to use it !! Please tell me to use it.
Use it!!!
About to pull the trigger on buying the Omnilux mask. Has anyone had success with this? It’s an investment.
I have been using mine for about a month as it was an intentional Black Friday purchase for me - haven’t hit the full recommended time yet but have also had a ton of compliments on skin already and accidentally had given myself a small chemical burn on my face which faded much quicker than usual
A bit too soon to tell but like most things, if you use it daily for a long period of time I think it slowly builds up and makes a difference!
I bought the ZIIP and have only been using for a short period of time but it's short (4 min) and I can feel it's little zaps. My skin definitely looks fresh afterward.
My new one came in the mail today, I can't wait!
Once you’ve tried it, can you speak to the difference between the OG and the new halo version? I’m tempted by the Halo but I’m pretty sporadic about my OG ZIIP, not sure it’s worth the upgrade. I do love my ZIIP and definitely notice both a small immediate difference and overall glowy effect if I use it regularly.
I will report back!
I do Nuface while watching TV at night and see a big difference in lifting at jaw and eyes. I followed Hot and Flashy's method of using it. I do it every few days and have for two years.
Can you use LED mask with melasma/rosacea prone skin? Been wanting to get one but see a lot of conflicting info!
My issue with the face masks is I feel like having stuff pressed directly against my face was bad for my rosacea/irritation/and maybe even acne? I had the dr Dennis gross and actually sold it on Poshmark for this reason because I felt like it was causing more harm than good and even if I wiped with alcohol it somehow never felt fully clean enough to be pressed against my face. I would love to try the shield versions that sit slightly off your face but I feel like they’re not as effective? I haven’t seen great info on any of them. Or the panel versions (celluma) you sit under but they’re SO expensive and also you can’t really do anything else while using….