Best Home Facial Devices: Dermatologist’s Complete Guide

Are you looking for the best home facial device to augment your skincare regimen? The good news is, in this article we discuss with our founder, accredited Singapore dermatologist Dr. Teo Wan Lin, on her top tips about what to look out for. Dr. Teo, who is also the chief scientific officer of Dr.TWL Dermaceuticals, is involved in the selection of technologies for the Dermatologist Tools Suite. 

Importantly, we want to find out what we should be looking out for in terms of choosing the ideal home facial skincare device for our needs. We start first with the type of technology that is useful in a home facial device. Clinic technologies such as lasers are not safe nor effective when used as a home device. So what kind of home devices should we be looking out for? Dr. Teo explains the importance of technologies relevant in the home facial care device industry. She also shares on the target audience and also how it can specifically target specific skin concerns. Read on to find out more.

Are home facial devices necessary for our skincare regimen in 2022? How do we know if it is the best home facial device for our needs?

Home facial device technologies have dominated the beauty consumer market in the last 2 years. Not surprisingly, many of these have been adapted from in-clinic treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic has also increased the demand for at-home DIY services. So yes, home facial devices are considered helpful in our skincare regimen. It helps to increase absorption of active ingredients in our skincare products. There is also an impact on skin ageing. For example, radiofrequency and microcurrent stimulate collagen production. Sonic cleansing actually helps with thorough cleansing and this improves the skin microbiome.

Should we include a sonic cleansing device?

Sonic cleansing is actually the use of ultrasonic pulsations to remove some very fine particulate matter. These are  known as PM 2.5 pollutants which remain on the skin even after double cleansing. This is very relevant because of emerging research in dermatology shows that it is involved in photo aging. Exposure to pollutants such as PM 2.5 particulate matter increases oxidative stress on skin.

Thorough cleansing with double cleansing is the traditional standard. Using an oil based cleanser to dissolve oil soluble pigments such as makeup pigments, followed by a foaming cleanser that does not strip skin dry. This is typically what is recommended by dermatologists and beauty experts. The advent of sonic cleansing means that it is ideal to incorporate sonic cleansing into a comprehensive cleansing regimen. Cleansing must be emphasized as the primary step to achieve a healthy canvas. This is the clean skin on which you can apply antioxidants serums to enable optimal skincare absorption 

How should we choose the best type of sonic cleanser for our skincare needs?

Sonic cleansing devices can be further classified into the design types. When choosing the best home facial device for your skincare needs, you should consider the design of the product. For the category of sonic cleansers, there are a few designs to consider. The brush type of sonic cleansers is the prototype developed by Clarisonic which is now defunct. The silicone brush head sonic cleansing devices are currently popular. There are also the blade style sonic cleansers which are modelled after the original facial scrubbers developed in Korea for dermatology clinics. 

There are pros and cons for each of these designs. For the silicone brush head models, these have largely superseded the now defunct brush head model. The reason is because these silicone bristles are environmentally more friendly. It is durable and also tends to trap less bacteria, which is a problem with the traditional brush head sonic cleansers. The blade style sonic cleanser also known as a facial scrubber is actually my preferred type of sonic cleanser. It is what we use in the clinic as a cleansing prep before medi-facials. This is because it generates the highest numbers of pulsations in a concentrated surface area, at 24,000 pulsations per second based on our prototype model. 

What are the specific features of the facial scrubber model which make it an ideal home facial device?

It is modeled after the original Korean medifacial facial scrubber style sonic cleanser. 5,000 to 8,000 pulsations is the industry standard for silicone brush head type sonic cleansers. The benefit of the blade style sonic cleanser is also that it has a dual function of being able to use the same sonic technology to nebulise antioxidants. Applying your serums and enhancing the absorption is a bonus. How this technology works is also that it increases the surface area of the droplets for the skin to absorb it. 

The value of sonic cleansing has also been described in dermatology literature. It has the ability to improve the microbiome of skin which is the balance of good and bad bacteria. This directly impacts conditions such as acne, facial eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and even rosacea. Sonic cleansing as it exfoliates the top most layer of skin cells, can also deliver benefits of skin brightening.

What is the best home facial device for anti-aging?

The second important home facial device technology that you should be aware of is microcurrent. Microcurrent facials have been popularised by celebrity aestheticians and also aesthetic spas. It is indeed a valid technology that can be incorporated into your home facial devices because it is safe and also effective. The scientific premise of the best microcurrent home facial devices is built on studies. 

Microcurrent is low level electrical current. It can actually stimulate wound healing by increasing collagen production in diabetic wounds. This, when applied to a home facial device for anti aging, means that you can target loss of collagen. Loss of collagen  is part of the photo-aging process. In the consideration of the best home facial device based on microcurrent technology to choose, one should consider the warranty period as well as durability. 

This is because in order for microcurrent to be effective, the contact spheres have to be first of all, well maintained and clean. For this, it has to be well designed.

What are the key features we should look out for when choosing a home facial device?

Ideally, the best home facial device should deliver the equivalent of an in-clinic facial over at least a year. This is in order for you to have maximum value for your skin investment. Looking at warranty periods and durability is crucial for if you are looking to find the best home facial device for your skin needs. This brings you the most value as a consumer.  

For this reason, cheap imitation models or those which are battery operated are out of the equation. Look for USB rechargeable for the best home facial device to suit your needs. These, when they are well made, have a warranty period of at least six months. If you were to do the math, you’ll find that it is actually a very worthwhile investment. 

A microcurrent facial with an aesthetician will set your back at least $100 to $200. A well made microcurrent device from a reputable brand with warranty is priced at usually $400 upwards. If you perform a microcurrent facial for yourself daily as part of your self care regimen. You easily spend only $1 or less over the period of a year which should be the warranty period. 

For other electrical devices, it is not as critical in terms of built and durability. However for microcurrent devices in particular, because you are relying on the ability of the device to transmit the low level microcurrent, it is important. You should be looking for one that is from a reliable, reputable brand.

What are the benefits of microcurrent for your skin?

A sturdy built microcurrent device can also be thought of as extremely beneficial for transdermal delivery. 

Transdermal delivery is essentially the increase in the absorption of skincare active ingredients through the skin barrier. It can help skincare active ingredients penetrate the topmost layer of skin, the stratum corneum. Microcurrent therapy can increase a beneficial phenomenon known as electroporation, which increases the absorption of skincare active ingredients. In a sense, because microcurrent directly increases cell ATP, it is not uncommon for individuals to report instant tightening and brightening effects. Much like lasers and HIFU (High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound), except that it is in a home facial device. 

Microcurrent also stimulates cell energy. If you’ve heard of ATP in your science lessons. It stands for adenosine triphosphate. Adenosine triphosphate is a marker of how much energy there is in your skin cells. When searching for the best home facial device, technologies that stimulate cell energy often have a good result. Cell energy determines how well your skin can repair itself after damage.

A lot, if not all of skin aging is due to the inability of skin to repair oxidative stress. For this reason, microcurrent therapy when incorporated into your daily skincare regimen can increase the skin radiance and elasticity. This is especially so when paired with a suitable skincare product that contains antioxidants. Vitamin C for example has a good brightening effect.