My Favorite At-Home Anti-Aging Skin Tools

A microcurrent device uses electrodes to send small currents of electricity into the tissues of the face - speeding up cellular energy, and re-training the facial muscles. And in the words of Jennifer Aniston, "it's like a little work out for your face." So what exactly are the benefits of this face workout?

• Improves muscle tone and elasticity 
• Redefines the facial contour
• Speeds up production of collagen and elastin
• Reduces and prevents wrinkles 
• Increases circulation
• Helps topical skincare products penetrate deeper

You will notice a small improvement after the first treatment, and results are cumulative with each following treatment. 

You can get a micro current facial done in a spa, or do them yourself with an at-home device. You will get a more intense and effective treatment in a spa, but I love to use my handheld device in-between sessions. It takes me about 5-10 minutes to do my whole face, and I try to fit it into my routine on a nightly basis. 

Studied by NASA, and FDA approved, red light therapy enhances mitochondrial function in cells.

This leads to numerous benefits, including:

• Improvement in skin tone and texture
• Improvement of scars and stretch marks
• Diminished fine lines, age spots, and acne
• Reduced inflammation 
• Enhanced wound healing

The benefits of red and near infrared light have been proven across hundreds of clinical studies. And just like the treatment above, results are cumulative, and you will see more dramatic results with consistent use. 

Red light therapy is offered in many spas, but I think it is much more effective to purchase your own high quality product, and use it on a daily basis. The most effective wave lengths for red light is between 650 and 850 nm and is referred to as the "therapeutic window."

An upgrade from the old cold spoon under the eyes trick. These are glass globes filled with antifreeze liquid that you keep cold by storing in the fridge. "Skin icing" is a popular staple in many Korean skincare routines, and is prized for helping them achieve their famous "glass skin." The benefits of this cryo therapy include:

• Decreased inflammation
• Reduced puffiness
• Soothes redness and irritation
• Increased circulation 
• Tightens skin

I love the cooling and refreshing feeling of using these in the morning to wake up my skin. 

I prefer using these ice globes, instead of straight ice cubes, for their mess-free convenience. It should also be noted that applying ice cubes directly to your face, and leaving it in one place for too long, can cause the delicate capillaries under your skin to break. So if you choose to use cubes, just be sure to move it around your face quickly. 

High Frequency 

These devices were first developed in the late 1800's by scientist Nikola Tesla, and were used for wound healing, and treatment of infections. They use a high frequency electrode made of glass that produces a mild electrical current and thermal heat. When this electrode is applied to the skin, a buzzing sound can be heard, and a mild tingling sensation can be felt. The benefits:

• Kills acne bacteria 
• Increases blood circulation
• oxygenates the skin
• Increases collagen and elastin production
• Can reduce under eye circles and puffiness
• Helps topical skincare products penetrate deeper
• When used on the scalp, will nourish hair follicles, leading to healthier hair growth 

You can have these treatments done in a spa, as well as at-home with portable devices. A few times a week, I try to fit this into my morning skincare routine. After I apply my face serums, I use this device to improve product absorption. I then follow with the ice globes, and finally sunscreen. 

The benefits of using these massage tools are increased circulation, and lymphatic drainage. Any company claiming their jade roller will get rid of your wrinkles is flat out lying. These are simply just tools to massage your face, and you don't actually need a $40 device to do that - you can use your hands and achieve the same, if not better, results. 

But one of the main issues with these is that they are made of stone, and stone is porous. Unless you are spending 10 minutes properly disinfecting these tools after each use, they will harbor bacteria that you will then massage into your skin.

I give myself a facial massage with my hands and face cleanser every evening. Not only is it relaxing, but it will ensure your skin is thoroughly cleansed. 

Cleansing brushes can cause micro tears, irritation, and spread acne bacteria across your face. Not to mention, the bristles on many of these brushes are much too abrasive. 

Many different brands now make silicone cleansing brushes that are a much better (and more eco-friendly) alternative. 

Is it the exfoliating benefits you enjoy from your cleansing brush? Instead of scraping off the top layer of your skin, try a gentle chemical exfoliant to dissolve dead skin cells instead. Chemical exfoliants lend additional benefits such as improvement of acne (whereas physical exfoliation can exacerbate acne).