Travel
I never travel without this ‘breakthrough’ beauty tool celebrities love
Summer vacation season is heating up, and this tiny but mighty skincare tool might be the next best thing to traveling with your own personal dermatologist.
Billed as “the world’s most powerful at-home beauty device,” the FDA-cleared LYMA Laser uses low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to reach the deepest layers of the skin, triggering cell regeneration and addressing redness, pigmentation, scars, blemishes and signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles along the way.
“It’s not like traditional lasers that are used to heat up tissue to stimulate collagen production,” LYMA founder Lucy Goff previously told The Post of the tech.
“It’s not damaging any cells whatsoever. Fundamentally, what you’re doing is switching on more and more cells that naturally died off as part of the aging process.”
Because it’s completely painless and calls for zero downtime, you might assume this buzzy gadget’s all gas — but since its 2022 launch, the LYMA Laser has become a favorite of celebrities and Hollywood facialists like Joanna Czech, who used it to prep her clients for this year’s Met Gala.
Superstar makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who works with A-listers like Margot Robbie and Sofia Richie, has even dubbed it “the breakthrough beauty device of the decade,” raving, “I use it on clients’ skin before makeup and it massively reduces inflammation, erases under-eye bags and gives the face a fabulous glow.”
The only downsides? In addition to being quite the investment at $2,695, this high-tech handheld tool requires a considerable time commitment; LYMA recommends using it for at least 15 minutes per day for 90 days at first, after which you can move into “maintenance mode” and use it two to three times each week.
I’m still well within that initial 90-day window, which means I need to squeeze in daily sessions with my LYMA Laser.
Fortunately, it’s roughly the size, shape and weight of a small flashlight, making it perfectly portable and easy to slip into any backpack or carry-on when it’s time to travel. (I recently brought mine along for a long weekend in Boston, and used it while unwinding at my hotel with a little Netflix at the end of each day.)
While the brand recommends using the LYMA Oxygen Mist and Glide included in its Starter Kit to prep the skin before use, you can also incorporate the skincare products of your choice. I’ve been subbing in my favorite serum and moisturizer, and they seem to be doing the trick.
Once your complexion’s all lubed up, simply glide the LYMA Laser over your skin in slow, steady movements until you’ve covered the entirety of your face, neck and chest; you can even use it on the backs of your hands and any body scars you’d like to treat.
For any areas of particular concern (stubborn lines, pigmentation, texture, etc.), I like to hold the device in place for three minutes for a more targeted treatment, as recommended by the helpful tutorials on LYMA’s website.
I was initially drawn to the at-home laser in hopes that it might smooth the texture of some residual acne scarring on my cheeks, and while I’ll need to continue my regimen beyond a couple of weeks to see those kinds of results, I’ve already noticed a slight reduction in redness since starting, which is encouraging.
And The Post’s Holly Coley, who’s been using her LYMA for months, tells me she’s obsessed with the tool.
“I started using the LYMA Laser in January and it has been a consistent part of my routine since,” she tells me. “I won’t lie, it’s a time commitment. However, I’ve seen an improvement in my skin’s laxity and texture, which makes the effort worth it for me. I’ve also seen improvement with my neck lines, which is impressive. I love the cordless design and the fact I don’t need to charge it often.”
As with any skincare routine, consistency is key — and I’m excited to continue using the LYMA Laser, no matter where this summer takes me.