Hi-Tech Beauty-Buster Fixers

Several New Products For At-Home Use Claim To Do What Only Doctors Could Before

(CBS)  Beauty is going high-tech!

Whether your problem is thinning hair or acne, there are a few hot, new products on that claim to take away everything from wrinkles to too much hair. The products use some of the same technologies that a dermatologist may have used on you -- lasers, LED lights, and infrared light -- and you can use them all in your own home.

But do they work?

"These products provide at-home versions of procedures typically performed in a doctor's office: light treatments, laser hair removal, or chemical peels," says Linda Wells, editor in chief of Allure magazine.

"In terms of at-home treatments, this is just the beginning."

Wells and some Allure staffers visited The Early Show Wednesday and reported on the effectiveness of products the staffers tried for several weeks.

"For safety," Wells explained, "these at-home gadgets can't be as strong as in-office treatments, but the technology for at-home gadgets is getting better, and the gadgets we have (on the set) are easy to use and safe. Allure's testers found that some of these gadgets work really well."

AGELESS BEAUTY MARVEL-MINI RED

$225

Manufacturer Product Description: Marvel Mini Red uses red light therapy is to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The red light penetrates into the skin to help promote increased blood flow. This type of light also stimulates fibroblasts within the dermis to produce new collagen, accounting for its ability to reduce the lines and wrinkles, giving the look and feel of a non-surgical face-lift. It's like getting an injection of your own collagen. Red light can also help to decrease inflammation and thereby lighten the redness associated with rosacea and eczema, while rejuvenating aged or sun-damaged skin. Professional, painless results are achieved in the comfort of your own home at a fraction of the price. It can be used on any part of the skin, but is especially effective on the face, neck and chest. Designed for individuals who want to manage their own treatments and touch ups at home or while traveling.

Allure Description: A handheld light-emiting diode (LED) device for wrinkles

The claim: A light panel stimulates collagen and elastin production to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles when held over them for nine minutes, three times a week.

The finding: "A dermatologist told us the LED here is not strong enough to make a significant change in skin, and we found that this did not reduce lines around the eyes," Linda says. But, "It does have an immediate lifting and firming of the skin that is noticeable for several hours. It also reduces redness and inflammation."

ILIFT

$395

Manufacturer Product Description: The ilift Anti-Aging Ion Therapy Device is the most technologically advanced home use instrument and skin care treatment designed for the reduction and prevention of facial wrinkles and the overall improvement of skin vitality. ilift helps reduce the depth of wrinkles, improve the texture and brightness of the skin, and helps to firm facial muscles with its daily 16-minute relaxing regimen. The ilift technique is based on the property of ion therapy combined with infra-red rays and cellular micro massage. The beneficial energy of the ions attacks the bacteria of the skin and strengthens the capability of cellular resistance to increase skin elasticity, reduce visibility of pores and sooth the skin. The infra-red rays improve the circulation of the blood-vessels and speed up skin metabolism while the micro-massage strengthens the elasticity of the skin, rendering it younger and more luminous. The ilift acts as a real mini-facelift with immediate results.

Allure Description: A micro-massager with infrared light to zap acne and firm skin

The claim: Rubbed over your face, the massager emits ions that attract acne-causing bacteria, infrared rays that boost collagen, and gentle pulses that strengthen elasticity. Treatments take 15 minutes a day.

The finding: "It takes 15 minutes a day," Linda says, which can be tedious. But, "Our tester had fewer breakouts after using this, and said it felt like she was getting a facial. She also noticed her skin looked slightly plumper directly after the treatment, probably caused by the massage it gives which increases vascular flow and provides a bit of rejuvenation." And, our model Ellen says she's had significantly fewer breakouts since she started using it.