With more than 320 million users of home beauty devices worldwide, the long-term effects of continuous use of these devices on the skin have become a focus of attention for both academia and industry. Based on skin physiology, clinical research and industry data, this paper analyses the systematic effects of beauty devices on the skin from four dimensions: biomechanical effects, metabolic regulation mechanism, barrier function effects, and neural perception remodelling, and explores the potential risks and optimization paths.
I. Biomechanical effect: remodelling project at cellular level
Continuous use of beauty devices triggers the skin's repair and regeneration mechanism through physical stimulation:
Collagen fibre activation: high-frequency energy stimulation (e.g. 1MHz radiofrequency) raises the temperature of the dermis to 42-45°C, which activates fibroblasts and promotes the synthesis of type I and type III collagen. Clinical studies have shown that 6 months of continuous use can increase collagen density by 35%, which is equivalent to 5-8 years of skin ageing.
-Elastic fibre restructuring: Microcurrent pulses (50-100μA) enhance the elasticity of the skin's support structure by simulating muscle contraction. Experiments at the University of Tokyo in Japan have shown a 28% increase in skin elastic modulus and a 19% improvement in jawline definition after 12 weeks of regular use.
-Extracellular matrix optimisation: the cavitation effect produced by ultrasound (1MHz) promotes the secretion of hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans, which increases the skin's water content by 40% and enhances the ability to lock water.
Second, metabolic regulation mechanism: systematic improvement of skin ecology
The beauty instrument regulates skin metabolism to achieve overall skin quality optimisation:
Microcirculation activation: Bio-current stimulates vascular smooth muscle contraction and diastole, promoting local blood circulation. Laser Doppler flowmetry shows a 200-300% increase in blood flow and a 40% increase in the efficiency of metabolic waste elimination after the treatment.
-Oil secretion control: Specific wavelengths of LED light (e.g. 415nm blue light) inhibit the activity of Propionibacterium acnes while regulating sebaceous gland function. Clinical data shows that after 8 weeks of continuous use, oily skin T-zone oil secretion is reduced by 32% and pore diameter is reduced by 15%.
-Oxidative stress balance: low energy laser (630-830nm) enhances mitochondrial function, promotes ATP generation, increases superoxide dismutase activity by 55%, and effectively neutralises free radical damage.
Impact of barrier function: dynamic balance of protection and repair
The impact of long-term use of beauty devices on the skin barrier presents two-way characteristics:
Risk of short-term irritation: excessive use of high-frequency energy modes may cause temporary damage to the stratum corneum. It has been found that transepidermal water loss (TEWL) can be elevated by up to 25% after a single treatment, but returns to normal within 48 hours.
Long-term reinforcing effects: Regular use of low-energy modalities (e.g., iontophoresis) can promote ceramide synthesis, increase stratum corneum thickness by 12%, and increase the rate of barrier repair by 30%.
Microbiota regulation: specific wavelengths of light therapy can inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, while promoting probiotics (such as Staphylococcus epidermidis) colonisation, maintaining the micro-ecological balance of the skin.
Neuro-sensory remodelling: adaptive changes in touch and pain.
Continuous care may trigger adaptive changes in skin nerves:
-Tactile sensitivity enhancement: long-term microcurrent stimulation can enhance the mechanical sensitivity of Merkel cells, increasing tactile resolution by 15%, but over-stimulation may lead to a decrease in sensory threshold and a slight tingling sensation.
-Nociceptive modulation: Biofeedback studies have shown that regular treatments can reduce the release of substance P (nociceptive transmitter) by 22%, while enhancing endorphin secretion, creating a positive cycle of ‘pleasure - analgesia’.
Nerve endings regeneration: low-intensity laser can promote the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and increase the density of epidermal nerve endings by 8%, but excessive stimulation may trigger abnormal proliferation of nerve fibres.
V. Risk prevention and control and optimisation strategy
In order to maximise the benefits of the beauty device and avoid potential risks, the following principles need to be followed:
1. Cycle management: Establish a care plan based on the skin metabolic cycle (28 days), and recommend using the device 3-5 times a week for no more than 20 minutes each time.
2. Layered care: Establish a gradient care system of ‘Cleansing - Introducing - Repairing’ to avoid repeated energy stimulation in the same area.
3. Dynamic monitoring: Use skin tester (e.g. Corneometer) to regularly assess moisture content, elasticity value and other indicators to adjust the care programme in a timely manner.
4. Synergistic effect: with skin care products containing hyaluronic acid, retinol and other active ingredients, forming a ‘device + product’ superimposed effect.
Conclusion: A new paradigm in technology for skin health
The continuous use of beauty devices essentially reconfigures the skin's biomechanical environment and metabolic network through physical intervention. This intervention may bring both significant rejuvenation benefits and the potential risk of over-stimulation. In the future, with the development of wearable sensor technology, beauty devices may achieve a closed-loop system of ‘real-time monitoring - dynamic adjustment - precise intervention’, truly opening a new era of personalised skin health management. For consumers, rational cognition of the mechanism of the device, the establishment of scientific habits of use, is the key to achieve a win-win situation for beauty and health.