Evidence / Devices & treatments
Device & treatment evidence
Do beauty devices and treatments actually work? We read the clinical literature so you don't have to — what's genuinely supported, what's overhyped, and where the evidence is still thin. Every claim links to the primary source.
- 01 Do pimple patches actually work? Yes — for one specific kind of pimple. A hydrocolloid patch is a tiny wound dressing: it absorbs the fluid from an open or pus-filled surface spot, flattens it faster in a moist, protected environment, and stops you picking it. But there's nothing for it to absorb on a blackhead, a closed bump or a deep cyst, and it doesn't treat acne itself — so it's spot management, not a cure.
- 02 Do pore strips actually work? Sort of — for a day or two. A pore strip is an at-home version of a real dermatology tool (cyanoacrylate skin-surface stripping): it bonds to the plug at the top of your pore and pulls it out, so it genuinely removes the visible sebaceous-filament 'gunk' and the tops of blackheads. But it doesn't shrink pores, doesn't reduce oil, and the plugs refill within days — because pore size and blackheads are driven by sebum, skin aging and follicular keratinization, none of which a strip touches.
- 03 Does double cleansing actually work? Yes — but only when there's enough to remove, and only if the second cleanse is gentle. Double cleansing (an oil or balm cleanser first, then a water-based one) genuinely lifts the water-resistant sunscreen, long-wear makeup and sebum a single cleanse can leave behind. It's a removal step, not a treatment, it's pointless on bare skin, and a harsh or high-pH second cleanse can strip your barrier — so the cleanser you choose matters far more than the number of steps.
- 04 Does facial microcurrent actually work? Sort of — but it's subtle, temporary, and oversold. A microcurrent device gives a real, short-lived tightening 'lift' by stimulating your facial muscles, and the underlying technology has genuine roots in wound healing. But the facial anti-aging evidence is small and short-term, and it's muddled by the fact that the devices showing the clearest 'lift' are actually radiofrequency (heat) devices, not pure microcurrent. Treat it as a maintenance tweak you have to keep doing — not a facelift, and not a substitute for sunscreen and retinoids.
- 07 Does gua sha actually work? Facial gua sha and rollers feel great and give a real but temporary boost — more blood flow, less puffiness, better product glide. What they don't do is permanently sculpt, lift, or 'detox' your face. And gua sha's strongest clinical evidence is actually for neck and back pain, not facial aesthetics.
- 06 Does icing your face actually work? Cooling your face with ice globes or a cold roller does something real — cold constricts blood vessels, so you get a genuine but temporary depuff, less redness, and a briefly tighter look. What it doesn't do is permanently shrink pores, erase wrinkles, or 'freeze fat'. And done too aggressively, cold can burn the skin or trigger hives.
- 08 Does LED light therapy actually work? Mostly yes — for wrinkles and acne, red/near-infrared and blue LED have real, peer-reviewed clinical support, including randomized placebo-controlled and split-face trials. But the evidence is uneven: many studies are small or industry-funded, the exact mechanism is still being mapped, and a consumer mask may not match in-office results.
- 09 Does microneedling actually work? Professional microneedling genuinely works for acne scars and skin texture — it's backed by randomized trials and meta-analyses. At-home derma-rollers are a much weaker, shallower cousin: little direct evidence, real infection risk, and not a substitute for an in-office treatment.
- 10 Does slugging actually work? Yes — for what it actually is. Slugging (sealing your skin overnight with an occlusive like petrolatum) genuinely reduces water loss and helps a dry or compromised barrier recover, with solid dermatology evidence behind the occlusive. But it's moisture-sealing, not a treatment, it's wrong for acne-prone or oily skin, and you shouldn't slug over actives.
- 05 Does sunscreen actually prevent aging? Yes — more convincingly than any cream you can buy. A randomized trial showed daily broad-spectrum sunscreen produced 24% less skin aging than using it only sometimes, and no detectable increase in aging at all. Most facial aging is sun damage, so blocking the UV that degrades your collagen is the single best-evidenced anti-aging move. The catch: it's prevention, not a wrinkle eraser — and it only works if you actually use enough, every day.