They say that beauty is skin deep, which may explain why lasers are having a moment in the beauty space right now. The technology is so powerful that it can penetrate the dermis to stimulate collagen, creating tighter and brighter skin.
Until recently, it was a treatment only available at cosmetic dermatologists’ offices, plastic surgeons or medispas. But then the LYMA Laser came on the scene and changed the whole game.
LYMA Laser
Pros
- Addresses wrinkles, acne, sagging, and uneven skin texture
- Uses cold laser therapy to renew skin on a cellular level
- Painless, FDA-cleared and can be used at home
Cons
- Expensive
- A time commitment — the device needs to be used daily for 90 days for the best results
What is the LYMA Laser and how does it work?
The LYMA laser works through cold therapy, also known as Lower Level Light Therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation. The process triggers changes on a cellular level, increasing the production of mitochondrial Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and growth factors to reduce oxidative stress.
In a small study published in Skin Research & Technology in 2023 with participants between the ages 45 to 70, researchers found that LLLT performed for 12 minutes, twice per week for three months resulted in:
- Decreased skin slacking
- Smaller pores
- Reduced crow’s feet
- Increased dermal density
Intriguing, you say? I agree.
The device has 500 milliwatts of power, making it a “whole new category of power for the at-home consumer,” according to LYMA founder Lucy Goff.
The thin, handheld device uses a patented diffuse lens technology that disperses the central laser beam multiple times across its 3-centimeter lens, which works to remove the heat of the laser. “It’s not like traditional lasers that are used to heat up tissue to stimulate collagen production,” Goff explained when we spoke via video chat. “It’s not damaging any cells whatsoever.”
Along with not damaging tissue, what also makes the LYMA laser special is that its light is strong enough to go beyond the epidermis (the top layer of skin), to penetrate cells and regenerate them to a more youthful, resilient state.
In plainer English, the anti-aging device activates the building blocks responsible for stronger, healthier skin. “Fundamentally, what you’re doing is switching on more and more cells that naturally died off as part of the aging process, and you’re empowering your skin to behave before the aging process sets in.”
How to Use the LYMA Laser
According to its website, the LYMA laser needs to be used a minimum of 15 minutes per day for 90 days. Afterward, you’ve entered into what Goff refers to as the “maintenance mode,” and only need to do treatments three times per week.
For anti-aging purposes, it’s recommended to use the LYMA skincare with the device. The process begins with spritzing the face with the Oxygen Mist, followed by the Glide. Both are included as part of the LYMA Laser’s Starter Kit. Goff was kind enough to give me a tutorial during our call, but the site has super short and helpful videos on how to use both.
LYMA Skincare
To use, simply move the devices up your face, holding it on any areas that need extra TLC (think under eyes or laugh lines) for three minutes. Afterwards, the glide can be removed with a clean, damp cloth, before applying the serum and moisturizer.
Designed by a group of dermatologists, plastic surgeons, biochemists and geneticists, the skincare uses bioactives and has retinol, peptides, antioxidants, and moisturizing ingredients. Is it necessary to enjoy the laser? No. But Goff recommends them, as they’re made to support skin renewal. There are also a variety of studies on the benefits of the ingredients, which you can find on the site’s ‘How It Works‘ page.
LYMA Laser: My (Updated) Review
Everyone who works closely with me at the NY Post Shopping Team knows that I’ve been obsessed with the LYMA Laser since I heard about it at the end of 2023.
From collagen supplements to facials at luxe Spa de la Mer at the Baccarat Hotel (ask for Lana, she’ll make you poreless!), I’m always looking for “that thing” to make my skin look energized.
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According to Mount Sinai, laser resurfacing is good for addressing large pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and even acne scars. However, it’s not without its risk. Some laser treatments, for example, aren’t appropriate for people of color, as they can cause hyperpigmentation. One of the things that attracted me to the LYMA Laser is that it’s good for all skin tones, and can be safely used at home.
I started testing the device back in January. For 15 minutes a day, every day for a month, I ran the at-home laser up my face and held it beneath my eyes and against my cheeks where I have the most visible texture.
At the end of the month, I noticed that the texture of my cheeks had slightly improved. What impressed me the most, however, was that my skin felt tighter, sort of like I was suddenly wearing a topknot 24/7.
Truthfully, not a huge fan of my after photos (or my before for that matter), since my smartphone is on its last leg and the quality isn’t great. On the other hand, it’s hard to photograph a feeling and that was the main difference I noticed after using the laser for a month.
Fast forward to today, and I think the change is more visible.
And because I don’t want to be accused of cheating the system, here are more after photos of me, makeup-free, that I’ve snapped over the last few weeks.
The LYMA Laser is not only a favorite of beauty device buffs like myself but also celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Camila Morrone. Page Six Editor Elana Fishman has also tested the tool and said that she noticed a “slight reduction in redness” after using it for a week.
The major things I’ve noticed after testing the laser for 6 months is that my skin looks firmer, less gaunt, and overall healthier than it did earlier in the year.
I don’t attribute all of this to the laser. I use other skin devices, too, plus am constantly tweaking my diet and sleep routine, which I think has helped me (an eighties baby millennial) a lot. I’m also always trying to get rid of stress, which will age anyone faster than 100,000 cigarettes.
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My face has maintained the tightness I spoke of the first time I reviewed the at-home laser, which I think is major. And recently, I noticed my literacy lines (I’m sorry, the term ‘tech neck’ gives me the ick), have begun fading, which I 100% attribute to the skincare tool — I’ve been SPFing, moisturizing and anti-age creaming the crap out of those things and haven’t seen improvement until now.
The Final Verdict: Is the LYMA laser worth it?
The cost of the laser initially put me off and honestly, I’m still not a fan of that aspect but I do think it’s worth it in the end. For most people, myself included, spending $2,695 on anything that isn’t a car is too much. However, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, traditional laser resurfacing averages $1,800.
When I consider this, the LYMA Laser is sort of a bargain, especially when you learn that you’ll have to do multiple sessions of the in-office lasers to see the best results. The LYMA Laser comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is good for all skin tones.
Other things I like about it include:
- Cordless design
- Can be used at home
- Targets the causes of aging on a cellular level
- It doesn’t cause damage to the skin
Although I no longer have to use the device daily, I do and enjoy it. I’m not sure if I would have been about to regain my facial laxity without it. While I know it’s an investment, for those who can’t access a skilled provider because of their budget or location, it’s a great beauty tool to have.
I appreciate the science behind it, the fact it’s triggering repair from a deep level, and that it’s good for all skin types. A payment plan (about $225 a month) is also available.
As I wrote when I published my initial review, no cream, device or procedure can make you forever twenty-one. On the plus, there are a lot of things that can keep you looking really good for the unforeseeable future, and the LYMA laser just may be one of them.
How we test
I’m our shopping team’s (non-official) skincare tool expert and have tested many of the moment anti-aging devices.
- Ease of use: I hate complicated instructions, so I wanted to make sure the laser’s directions were easy to follow. I also considered how long I was required to use the tool to see results.
- Efficiency: Does the device deliver on what it says it does? Is there a similar product on the market that’s better in some way? This is what I tried to measure when reviewing the laser.
- Overall value: Along with the above considerations, I examined whether the laser impacted my skin and/or overall skincare routine in a positive way enough to cancel any con I encountered. For me, this would determine its overall value.
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