Review: Lyma Laser

If the Lyma Laser hasn’t already made it onto your socials, it’s only a matter of time. This much-hyped portable cold-laser device is the latest beauty tool to feature in many a celeb skin-care routine and is designed for use at home or on the go. Promising to improve wrinkles, fade scars and pigmentation, and pretty much transform your skin, the Lyma Laser can tackle a host of skin concerns without a needle or bulky LED face mask.

The standard Lyma Laser (with 8-cm² treatment lens) was launched in 2020, while the larger, more enhanced Lyma Laser PRO version with a 30-cm² treatment lens for both face and body has just dropped stateside. And the A-listers are loving it. Hailey Bieber is reported to use the Lyma Laser as part of her pre-Met Gala skin prep to get glowing results, while Carey Mulligan bought one as an Oscars present to herself, praising its effectiveness at fading a scar between her eyes. With such positive feedback online, I was keen to try out the Lyma Laser on my tired mom-life skin, as who doesn’t want flawless-looking skin?

The Lyma is unlike anything else on the market. Founded by former journalist Lucy Goff, the Lyma Laser is the first FDA-cleared, clinical-grade cosmetic laser for home use. The technology was originally developed as a medical laser in a research unit to heal injuries such as degenerated cartilage, torn tendons, and respiratory inflammation. But one positive side effect was noticed: As the laser reached the damaged tissue inside, it visibly transformed the skin and reversed the signs of aging. And so Lyma was born. But this high-tech spec comes at a price. Both jowl-tightening Lyma devices have jaw-dropping prices to boot—at the time of writing, the Lyma Laser costs $2,695, while the Lyma Laser PRO is $5,995. Keen to see if I could notice a visible improvement to my complexion, I tried the Lyma Laser on my face for 12 weeks.

Simply Glide or Hold

The portable cordless Lyma Laser is different from anything I’ve tried before. It uses a 500-milliwatt “cold-laser” beam at a wavelength of 808 nanometers (near infrared) to promote cellular regeneration across 8 square centimeters of skin. To use the laser, you simply glide the tip across the contours of your face and neck or hold it in place in a problem area for three minutes at a time.

The device comes in a luxurious black box, complete with its own USB charging dock, information booklet, cleansing sponges, a carry pouch, and a 30-day supply of the Lyma Oxygen Mist and Oxygen Glide, which are designed to work alongside the laser to optimize results. A copper membership card is also included so you can activate your warranty and join the LYMA Power Circle, a members’ portal for consultations and classes.

Before I started using the Lyma Laser, I jumped on a Zoom call with the Lyma Concierge, which is a service the brand offers to all its customers. The Lyma representative (with beautifully flawless skin) offered advice to get me started. She suggested that for the first 12 weeks, I divide my face into four sections and glide the laser across each section for three minutes at a time. I could also simply place the laser over problem areas for a few minutes. After 12 weeks, she suggested dropping down to using the laser four times a week. After just a week, I should expect to see an immediate glow, but with consistent use for 12 weeks and more, I should be able to see more significant changes to my wrinkles, skin elasticity, crow's feet, and jowls. Feeling a little self-conscious but excited to get going, I charged the device for four hours, applied the Oxygen Mist and Glide (containing active stabilized oxygen) to my skin, and set to work with the laser.

Noticeable Results in One Week

My first week using the laser was novel, and I enjoyed the ritual of washing my face, applying the gel, and using the laser wherever I was—in bed, in front of the TV, or even in the kitchen while waiting for the kettle to boil. I’ve tried LED face masks in the past, and while both are designed to improve skin, the Lyma laser uses a different technology than the LED face mask, which uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to penetrate the skin on a shallow level, typically reaching the epidermis and upper dermis. The Lyma’s near-infrared laser penetrates more deeply, reaching the hypodermis, being absorbed by the mitochondria, and boosting cell energy.

I like how discreetly you can use this laser. It can conveniently be used both under or over makeup. While it’s good to leave the gel on for as long as possible to get the full moisturizing benefits, I found it too sticky, so I removed it after each session.

While using the laser, I made sure not to apply pressure or pull the skin and worked my way across my facial lymphatic system to “drain out toxins.” In my second month, when the gel had run out, I was happy to switch to using my regular face creams and facial oil, which I think worked just as well with the laser. Replacement bottles of the 40-milliliter Oxygen Mist and 50-milliliter Oxygen Glide are sold in pairs for $175.

I don’t know if it was because I was giving my skin extra attention and indulgently applying more moisturizing creams, but after one week of using the laser, my skin had a post-beach glow and looked and felt more hydrated.

Two weeks in and my skin wasn’t happy with a spot breakout around my chin area. It could have been my hormones, but I put it down to congested skin from using too much of the Glide gel without exfoliating. I decided to go a little thinner on the gel and thoroughly cleaned the laser tip after every use.

By week three, things cleared up and my face was looking brighter, with signs of sun damage from last summer’s holiday fading fast. On the days that my enthusiasm for the device waned and I couldn’t be bothered with the arm ache of holding it up to my face, I switched to using it statically on problem areas of my skin. I held it over an old acne scar between my eyes that I’ve had for years for a few minutes every day. Within a few weeks, I noticed that the scar had begun to flatten and, just like Carey, I’m pleased to say that it has now almost disappeared entirely.

Slow and Steady

These days, the Lyma Laser is a firm part of my evening skin-care routine and is now my go-to if my skin is ever feeling a little stressed or puffy. I like the fact that it’s discreet and I can use it anywhere, be it walking around the house, on a flight, or while watching TV. My partner has also come to treat the Lyma Laser as part of the furniture. When I sit down next to him on the couch to use it, he no longer asks, “What on earth are you doing?”

Overall, my skin feels brighter and clearer, and while I don’t think the wrinkles on my forehead will ever completely disappear, the skin has noticeably improved. I think the laser needs to be used regularly and alongside a healthy skin-care routine and good diet to get the best results, as unfortunately, there are no shortcuts. My pores are smaller and my freckles have faded. I also think that my jawline feels a little tighter too, but having just eaten a doughnut, I’ll say that with caution.