There are certain things a beauty editor should never admit. Going to bed without proper cleansing, ambivalence towards a red lip, not bothering with a facial rejuvenation device. The first two have never been a problem for me, but I’ll admit – assuming this is a safe space and all – the third has always been something of a black mark on my otherwise clean skincare sheet. I’m the first to evangelize about the benefits of glycolic acid, I’m the group’s guinea pig for a new facial and I spritz daily with SPF, but ask me what the best facial gadgets to buy are and I’ll shrug before telling you . you better go to a clinic.
And the thing is, I’m not completely wrong. While there are plenty of skin care gadgets to choose from (you’ve seen the selfies looking up a storm on IG), they don’t compare to the high-tech lasers and LED masks you’ll find at a beauty salon. Plus, they’re time-consuming, and as a mum of three (two humans, one furry and four-legged) on top of a full-time job, time is frankly more limited than the Tory budget for public sector spending.
However, when news of the Lyma laser landed in my inbox, I was intrigued considering it’s billed as one of the most advanced skin care tools on the market (100x more powerful than LED). There’s also an army of A-listers who’ve given it their stamp of approval: Ana de Armas, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hailey Bieber are just a few of its loyal users, while celebrity stylist Joanna Czech is a longtime brand associate. Plus, if the brand’s supplement is anything to go by (I named it the best beauty supplement in the WH skincare awards), then I knew this really had the potential to be a game-changer. Was it right? Here’s how I did…
But first… what does the Lyma laser do?
The Lyma laser is a home device using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) that has been used since the 1960s to treat a range of medical problems from cartilage reconstruction and tendon healing. In this case, Lyma has developed it so that it can stimulate collagen production, boost blood circulation and aid in skin healing to help reduce acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Unlike other lasers you find in clinics, LLLT is non-invasive and non-ablative, so it won’t damage the outer layers of your skin, and it also means it’s safe for all skin tones and types, which other devices can’t. always make a demand. It combines 4 high-powered antibacterial blue LED lights that work on the upper layers of the skin, killing the bacteria that cause acne, with a laser beam that has a power of 500 mW and a wavelength of 808 nm, so that it is able to regenerate the skin at a cellular level . The beam of light emitted by Lyma is absorbed by your skin cells and activates your fibroblasts, these are the cells responsible for collagen and elastin, the two things that give your skin cushion and bounce (and they decrease as grow, causing wrinkles ).
How to use the Lyma laser
Firstly, you can fit the Lyma laser into either your morning or evening routine and the latter has worked best for me in terms of finding the time to give it some real dedication. The Lyma Laser Starter Kit comes with the Lyma Oxygen Mist as well as the Glide Gel, but you can really use any kind of moisturizer or facial oil that will make you glide to move it back and forth across the face.
The good news is that it’s not taxing or difficult to use. Start with a clean, dry face before applying six pumps of the mist and six pumps of the glide gel. Then simply turn it on and once the blue light appears, move it up and around your face, starting at the neck and moving to the forehead. Do this for at least 15 minutes continuously or hold it on specific areas of concern for 3 minutes. For me it was legs and lines caused by sun damage when I didn’t bother wearing SPF in my 20s (big mistake, huge).
After I was done, I used the reusable sponges (that come with the starter kit) to remove the slip gel. I then went about the rest of my routine.
Lyma laser: My honest review
8 weeks after treatment
First of all, it doesn’t hurt at all. As mentioned earlier, the laser does not cause any damage to the outer layer of your skin, so you don’t have to worry about possible irritation or redness. Instead, it feels warm and relaxing as you effectively get a nice massage. The srart kit also comes with some reusable sponges that you use to remove the slip gel.
Visually, from the first time I used it, I noticed a difference in my skin the very next day. So happy with the results, I didn’t bother using it for another few days. Don’t be that person! Time and dedication really has to be in the bag if you want to see results and I’ll admit, in the beginning there were nights when I could just pick up my face and put on a serum before I hit the bed.
However, the more I used it, the more I fell into a routine and surprise, the more I did this, the more I noticed results. The biggest changes were in the texture of my skin, which looked smoother and more even in tone, while the crow’s feet have started to look less obvious. Lyma recommends using it daily for the first 12 weeks before cutting back to three times a week to maintain results. While I still have a month to go, I am initially impressed.
As for the £2,000 price tag? The brand claims this is because it is one of a kind. Ultimately buying it depends on your goals and budget. I’m only 37 and my skin is in pretty good shape, so I wasn’t expecting miracles, although I’m happy with the results so far and hope it works to reduce the lines on my forehead (so far only botox has ever helped this).
Lyma Laser: The WH Verdict
Ultimately, if you feel like your skin needs some serious help, then it’s worth a second look, as no amount of treatment will work the same way as the Lyma laser. The fact that there is no downtime also makes it a worthwhile investment and a viable option if you don’t want to switch to a clinic. Is it better than in-clinic laser treatments? Again, this depends on your goals and skin preferences. Yes, lasers found in clinics offer unrivaled and faster results, but there is time involved, along with potential pain and irritation. So far I’m happy playing the big game and the Lyma Laser gets my vote.
