- The Lyma laser is loved by celebs and A-list aestheticians for its ability to tighten and plump skin and boost collagen production.
- Offer an instant glow as well as long-term benefits, with deeper penetration than LED masks for smoother, brighter, firmer skin over time.
- While it can't replace the results you'd get from a professional laser, it's relaxing to use and requires no downtime.
Ever wonder what the secret to celebs' glowing skin actually is? Spoiler: it’s not the viral skincare brand they launched. It’s the endless sculpting facials and standing laser appointments. And since most of us can't drop thousands of dollars every few months on high-end facials and laser treatments, the Lyma laser delivers similar benefits from home—for a one-time cost and no recovery time.
It's true, you can achieve glowing skin from home with zero downtime and zero irritation. Normally, you’d leave a derm appointment blotchy, red, and sensitive, but Lyma helps boost collagen and visibly tightens, smooths, and lifts the skin all from a handheld heatless device roughly the size of a flashlight.
Celebs swear by the Lyma, too. Gwyneth Paltrow, Hailey Bieber, and plenty of pro facialists keep it in their rotation. The device's technology is 100x more powerful than your typical LED mask, penetrating deep layers of your skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production, and improve everything from firmness to skin brightness over time.
While $2,000 is definitely an investment for an at-home tool, the results, lack of downtime, and long-term benefits go far beyond what you’d get from a typical red light mask or facial device. Plus, it costs about the same as a few months of in-office laser appointments, but this one gadget will last you for years. Now, let’s dive into the science behind the Lyma laser, insights from skincare pros, and a review from our beauty editor who’s had it for years.
What does the Lyma laser do?
The Lyma laser is an at-home tool that uses low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to "stimulate collagen production, enhance blood circulation, and facilitate skin healing," explains board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry. The process is entirely non-invasive and non-ablative, so it won't harm the outer layers of your skin, and it's safe for all skin tones and types—something not very many lasers can brag about.
The Lyma laser uses a "unique mechanism to target various layers within the skin, including the deepest layers and underlying fat and muscle tissue, thanks to its 500mW power and 808nm wavelength," says Dr. Henry. This wavelength is able to penetrate your skin and reach deep layers without causing any damage or irritation to the surface of your face. The light beam emitted from the Lyma is absorbed by your skin's cells and activates your fibroblasts, aka the cells that are responsible for collagen and elastin production.
How do you use the Lyma laser?
To use the Lyma laser, start with clean, dry skin and apply something with some slip, like the Lyma Glide Gel or a hydrating serum, to help the device move gently across your skin. You can use it morning or night, then simply move the laser slowly across your face or hold it in place for three minutes at a time per area. "I find it to be actually really relaxing. I spend about 15 to 20 minutes going over my entire face, paying the most attention to my chin and jawline where I break out," says beauty editor Beth Gillette. "I often refer to it as 'Netflix-friendly' because it's so convenient to use at home," says celebrity aesthetician Joanna Czech.
It's completely painless and the sculpting results can be instantaneous. "Immediately after a treatment, my skin looks extremely glowy and lifted," says Gillette. "Ever since I started using it, I've been getting compliments on my skin constantly—someone even asked what foundation I was wearing one day that I had nothing on, because my skin looked so damn radiant and even." But the real changes (like improved elasticity, softened wrinkles, and a more even skin tone) come with consistency.
Does Lyma Laser work on wrinkles?
Yes, the Lyma laser works on wrinkles, because it can help tighten and firm your skin over time. The laser signals skin cells to produce more collagen and elastin, which essentially makes your skin thicker and more resilient, fending off fine lines and wrinkles from forming, and smoothing out the ones you may already have.
"I tell my clients that they can start seeing noticeable results—like improved skin elasticity, a more even skin tone, and smoothed fine lines—after about three months of consistent daily use," says Czech.
Lyma laser vs. red light therapy:
The difference between the Lyma laser and traditional red-light therapy is that the Lyma "activates the cellular rejuvenation process deeper within the skin," explains Czech. Which is why you'll see LED devices glow on your skin—the light just bounces off in all directions so it's less effective. On the other hand, Lyma penetrates your skin way past the fat and muscle tissue, which makes the device significantly more powerful in terms of collagen production and skin-smoothing abilities.
Lyma laser vs. in-office laser:
The Lyma laser doesn't replace in-office laser treatments, says Dr. Henry. In-office lasers typically use much higher energy levels, which is why you usually see more intense results (as well as experience downtime, redness, and pain, unlike the Lyma device).
The Lyma laser is considered a "cold laser." Unlike skin-rejuvenation lasers that use heat to damage layers of your skin to initiate its regenerative processes, the Lyma laser uses a complex lens system to diffuse the light it's emitting up to 25,000 (!) times to remove the heat. "The precise engineering of the device, including its lens system, ensures that the laser's energy is evenly diffused and directed deep into the skin, fat, and muscle tissue," explains Dr. Henry. This lack of heat is the reason there's no downtime, pain, or irritation, making it a great option to use daily at home and without the supervision of a clinician.
Is the Lyma laser worth it?
While a skincare device that costs upwards of $2,500 isn’t essential, if you’re looking for a powerful tool to smooth fine lines and boost overall radiance, the Lyma can be a game-changer. But keep in mind: you need to use it daily to get the best results. Make sure you’re ready to commit to the entire routine before adding to cart.
Meet the experts:
- Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, NY. She's the founder of Skin and Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan where she is an expert in all things acne and anti-aging.
- Joanna Czech is a celebrity esthetician based with her own skin studios in New York, NY and Dallas, TX. She's known for working with A-list clientele, including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has more than three years of experience covering all things skin and beauty. She's gotten her fair share of in-office laser treatments, but has also tried the Lyma device. Her own 65-year-old mother has been using it for months and has seen significant results in boosting radiance and firmness.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories like reviewing EmSculpt Neo, pore vacuums, and at-home microdermabrasion devices. She tested out the Lyma laser herself after getting a facial at The Well in New York City that incorporated the device and chatting with dermatologists and estheticians all about it.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
