* LED light therapy is a budding trend in skincare treatments
* Baby Quasar has been a pioneer in bringing the technology to the mass market
* We tested two best-selling light treatments
LED light therapy has been growing in popularity as a skincare treatment to fight the signs of aging and treat acne. Light therapy treatment cropped up in the 90s, when NASA began conducting studies to research light therapy’s benefits on the overall health of their astronauts. The researchers found that red and infrared light therapy accelerated the production of healthy skin cells by 150-200 percent. The benefits of red light therapy have also been approved by the FDA for both anti-aging and pain relief.
Launched in 2007, Baby Quasar was a pioneer in bringing light therapy skincare treatments to the mass market for at-home use. Their products are backed by advanced bio-tech research (along with some pretty impressive before and after’s), rather than fancy marketing campaigns, which made them our first choice.
We reviewed two models of the Baby Quasar — one for men and one for women. Here’s what happened.
His: Baby Quasar Pure Rayz for Him
We’ve written before about men being judged just as harshly as women when it comes to complexion, but the equal standard really hits home when it comes to aging. Now that I’m in my mid-30s (shriek), I’m becoming keenly aware of the damage caused by free radicals and sun exposure. I was certainly eager to erase the years; even a few months would have been satisfactory.
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Utilizing four types of light, mostly red light and infrared light, Pure Rayz for Him stimulates through the epidermis and dermis–straight through to the hypodermis–to increase collagen production and boost your skin’s elasticity.
I saw results after only a few treatments, most notably at the fine lines on my temples. They continued to reduce with consistent use over the trial period, giving my skin a healthier, fresher appearance. The process was super simple to use and there’s no uncomfortable vibrating or harsh stings from the device or light. The device comes with a pair of “googles” similar to what I wear at the tanning salon, but I didn’t always keep them on.
The Pure Rayz packaging says that it produces longer-lasting results that topical solutions, but I think a combination approach gets the best results: daily Pure Rays treatments along with retinol moisturizer and sunscreen. Just remember that in order for an an anti-aging regimen to work, you need to do it consistently and forever. Just like Rogaine, which I thankfully don’t need–yet.
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Hers: Baby Quasar PLUS
As a young woman pushing her 30s, I’ve begun to notice the fine lines and crepey skin under my eyes turn into actual wrinkles over the last couple of years, along with enlarged pores and a duller skin tone. In efforts to postpone the dreaded signs of aging, I’ll try just about anything that claims to correct and delay dullness, wrinkles and sagging. Light therapy skincare is somewhat of a budding trend in the beauty market, but because it’s backed by ample clinical research and has earned the FDA’s seal of approval, I figured it’s a skincare treatment worth trying.
I began using the Baby Quasar PLUS 3-5 times a week for two months. The treatment is really easy to use–it’s a handheld device with a treatment head that holds the red light underneath a removable cap for easy cleaning. You simply rub the treatment head over your face, focusing on problem areas like the eyes, crows feet, and mouth, and forehead for three minutes on each “problem” area of the face. The device is even equipped with a built-in timer that beeps when the three minutes are done and it’s time to switch sides.
In the first week of treatment, I noticed my skin feeling tighter and slightly drier. While others may consider this a negative side effect, I actually viewed it as an indication that the product was actually working. Like retinol and other effective anti-ager’s, there’s usually an initial period of mild irritation that presents itself before the results are revealed. You should follow the treatment with a moisturizer, and you can even apply a serum before use to maximize the product’s absorption into the skin. After a few weeks of use, my skin looked firmer and more contoured, and my undereye lines softened. I also noticed that the natural tint in my lips seemed to re-appear after two weeks of using it — a perk that I had not anticipated prior to starting the treatment.
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Baby Quasar recommends using the treatment 5 days a week for the first 8 weeks. After the initial period, you can lessen the amount of use for maintenance. I am now using the Baby Quasar 2-3 times a week to maintain my results, and I have to say I am really happy with the outcome. It only takes a total about 12-15 minutes a few days a week to reap its benefits, which really isn’t a huge commitment at all. If you can stick to your regimen, I do think you’ll see measurable results and improved skin in 6-8 weeks. There may be newer and less advanced LED light devices cropping up in the skincare sector, but Baby Quasar’s devices are FDA-cleared and they provide 25% more absorption than the cheaper alternatives. They also offer a five-year warranty and a 90-day money back guarantee, so it’s a completely risk-free investment.