Baby Quasar, Lightstim, Tanda **review of all three**
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

free skin care · Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:23 pm

Recently Essential Day Spa introduced 3 photorejuvenation products, the Tanda, Lightstim, and Baby Quasar. I bought one of each (the Lightstim after Christmas last year) and paid for them myself. The good news is that (at least for me) photo rejuvenation works but it can be hard to sort out which product may be for you. I’m sorry that I don’t have any pictures to show you but I’m just too camera shy to go to the other side of the lens. I also have to say that at 50 I’m not expecting to look like I’m 30 but I have to say I got results (from light treatments) that topical skin treatments didn’t give me.

LIGHTSTIM: I bought this product in January 2007 and even got a backup for travel. Lightstim was my introduction to the world of photo rejuvenation. EDS offers the Lightstim for $197.00 CAD.

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/lightstim-anti-aging-therapy.htm

The good: The price makes this product the most economical of the three (if you only want the red LED light) and with time you do get results in skin colour and tone. I have an older model which has a black foam handle, and feel it would be the most easy to hold for those with arthritis. If you are willing to comply with the instructions and take the time to use the Lightstim properly you will get results. I liked the size of the head (round shaped at 2 3/8” in diameter) which made treatment time shorter. I noticed that my skin just looked better and there was a change in the depth of the nasal labial fold and forehead lines. At the Lightstim website you can watch an information video and 2 testimonial videos.

http://www.lightstim.com/videos.html

The just less than good: If there is a downside it’s the heat generated from the Lightstim, which may make it difficult for some people with Rosacea (who flush easily with heat) to deal with. There is no onboard timer.

*Overall, the Lightstim does work and could be just the right choice for those with a budget in mind and don’t need a blue LED for acne. I have to add that at the Lightstim site they have added a Blue unit with an introductory price of $279.00 USD. They also give you 90 days to see if you like their products.

TANDA: This is a relatively new addition to my collection and like the Lightstim does improve the skin but it has a difference which may make it a good addition for those who like something easy to use. Tanda is a modular device on which you have a base unit which you can change the head from the red to the blue LED. The main reason I bought the Tanda was for the blue LED blue light module.

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/tanda-skincare-system-p_7709.htm

The Good: First off the Tanda has the best packaging and instruction book out of any of the products. The modular units make the Tanda a space saver and you can replace the units if they eventually stop working or are damaged. I liked the onboard timer as I didn’t have to worry about a timer for treatments. The triangular shape of the treatment heads could make it easier to fit the unit into some small areas. I found the red module comparable to the Lightstim. The blue light module is what I actually bought the product for and it has started to help clear my stubborn adult acne and on that it has delivered significant results which I just wasn’t getting with the red LED lights alone.

The just less than Good: Again, the heat generated by the unit (the Tanda became the hottest, most likely because I did use both the blue then red modules for a time) may be an issue for those with Rosacea. You have to make sure you have a proper contact or the light module will go out requiring a bit of fiddling to keep the right connection. I also found the Tanda people were just a bit vague about any warranty, but when I got a defective unit they were wonderful about replacing it. I’d like to think that any of the warranty insecurities are due to the fact that the Tanda is new product line getting off the ground.

*Overall, the Tanda if faithfully used does show results at about the same rate as the Lightstim on the Red LED light module but the strength of this product is the modular nature with the added timer and compact size. If you need to use the Blue light for acne Tanda does become the most economical out of the three products EDS offers.

BABY QUASAR: I’ve only had my Baby for a few weeks and I have to admit all the ladies who raved about this device are right. At $449.00 CAD, the Baby Quasar is the most expensive but after a few weeks using the Baby Quasar I see results which are an improvement on what the Lightstim or Tanda could give me for the Red LED light.

http://www.essentialdayspa.com/baby-quasar-photo-light-therapy.htm

The Good: The Baby Quasar is the most sturdy of the three units I’ve used as it has an aluminum frame. The treatment time is less and the results in skin colour and improvements to the nasal labial folds, forehead lines, skin tone, adding in around my eyes make it the product I’m most fond of. There is an onboard timer making figuring out how long to treat a non-issue. I found the Baby Quasar heated up the least of the three making it kinder my sensitive skin with Rosacea.

The slightly less than Good: Size matters and at 1 3/8” in diameter the head of the Baby Quasar is the smallest making treatment time longer but having to treat your skin less I guess it evens out.

*Overall, the Baby Quasar is my favorite of the Red LED products because I can see more results in just a few weeks to skintone and lines. It’s worth the longer treatment time. I spoke with Alex at Advanced Therapy and found out that they will offer a Blue LED device called the BABY BLUE very soon. Right now I’m treating my face with first the Tanda Blue led light module then the Baby Quasar. For those with size concerns you can trade in your Baby Quasar for a larger model the Quasar SP. If you’re just starting and don’t have any Light product and have some money to spare you can invest in the Quasar SP and get the best of the Baby with the grownup size. From what I’m reading at EDS, the SP is the way many ladies are going.

http://www.advanthera.com/Quasar-SP.html

In my chat with Alex I mentioned one thing that is on my wish list, and that’s an instructional DVD for the Baby Quasar and all the other products mentioned above. He did say they have been talking about it and I hope we see one offered in the near future.

In conclusion, Light therapy does work but you have to be willing to spend time doing the treatments and not just do a treatment here and there. EDS offers three photorejuvenation devices at prices that make if possible for almost every budget.

I'd be happy to answer any questions as I'm sure I didn't mention everything in my short review.

Automatic Message

The above post is a review of the following product available at EDS:

Tanda Skincare System

SKINCARE IN A NEW LIGHT. Tanda revolutionizes skincare with the proven science of light therapy.

The Tanda Skincare System uses proven science to improve your skin's appearance. Blue and red light therapy is used worldwide by leading dermatologists and skincare professionals. Now this technology is available to you right in your own home.

Kit Contains:

Tanda Clear Blue Light Therapy Module (414nm LED)
Tanda Regenerate Red Light Therapy Module - (660nm LED)
Tanda rechargeable hand piece
Tanda recharging cradle
9V medical grade universal power adaptor
Protective eye goggles
User manual
Cloth Carrying Case

free skin care · Mon Nov 12, 2007 2:24 pm

Rufus wrote:

Now Lightstim offers a Pro model:

http://www.lightstim.com/anti_aging_light.html

Quote:

The Anti-Aging Light™ mixes unique skin-specific Amber LED bulbs along with red and infrared LED bulbs. There are a total of 72 high-grade, high-output individual bulbs of varying wavelengthsbetween 600nm and 1000 nm. The total output of which is 9,000mW!

This is LightStim™’s professional grade device engineered to outperform any Photo-Rejuvenation Light to date. If you are the type of person who demands the best, most efficient and latest technology available, then this is the light for you. Our research and testing has shown that combining Amber, Red and Infrared LED lamps produces the fastest and most effective results for the skin. Now wrinkles, age spots, and just about any other non-optimum skin condition (with the exception of Acne/Rosacea) can be addressed in a shorter period of time and with greater effectiveness! Now you can achieve the same results being offered by day spas, estheticians, and dermatologists at a fraction of the cost.

Thank you Rufus!! More gadgets for us to desire! Laughing

Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:27 am

I'm just past 4 weeks on using the DPL. My skin feels and looks firmer. I also use Vitamin c, retin-a, cp and have been doing facial exercises for a while. The DPL has just given me that little boost. The last 4 years have been total hell. I've lost 4 members of my family. My Grandson had a stroke at 9 months old and I lost my Mom 9 months ago while we were on vacation together. I was having at least 4 or more Hot Flashes by noon. Night sweats. Not sleeping well. Lucky if I got 5 hours a nite. Some nites I wouldn't sleep at all. My life was controlled by these nasty things. Now I probably have 2 a day, maybe 3 and some days not any, I've been getting 7 hours of sleep a nite. I'm making it through, so they are a good 7 hours. Things are still pretty stressful and sad around here. It has to be the DPL cause I have tried everything else. I eat very well, take vitamins, walk 4 miles a day and lift weights 6 days a week. I have been doing this regiment since 1986, so I've always taken good care of my self. I was reading in the pamphlet for the DPL where it helps with stress. Maybe that's it. All I know it has helped. Best thing I have ever purchased. I just hope it keeps working.

I just want to Thank Everyone on this board. I'm on here every day reading your posts and you all have helped me tremendously. I feel like I know all of you. Nice feeling. Thank You linder

free skin care · Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:22 am

The baby Q is more like maintenance for the skin, nothing more. I use it to temporarily plump up the skin, but that's all it does for me and I have been using it over a year and a half faithfully and without fail. I still have my IPL's at the derm and I am trying Cool Touch III to build collagen (going for my first today).
It does not reduce scars or wrinkles, cure rosacea or reduce redness to any measurable degree that I can see, it just plumps up and evens out skintone ever so slightly. If you can live with that, than it might be worth the investment for someone. Personally, I can't say it was, but others have had better results with it. All that said, I still use it biweekly.

free skin care · Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:50 am

My dermatologist said they do nothing. He does not sell these services himself. He is reputable and doesn't do the cosmetic procedures. ( I do not think that there would be any gain for him to give a biased opinion of an at home device). I purchased the Tanda and find it sitting in my drawer. I'll give it another try since I feel guilty about spending the money. My dermatologist said, "Sunscreen everyday".

free skin care · Fri Jan 04, 2008 11:21 pm

I've had the Lightstim for a few months now (the normal red lights one), and it is amazing. I can only imagine the results you'd get with the babyQ if it is indeed much better than the Lightstim. I don't know how to describe it but it makes my skin look plump and "glowy"

My backstory: I'm 30, and noticed the very beginnings of face sagging which concerned me since I thought jowls on (a then) 28 yr old did not look the least bit attractive. I used copper peptides for this and it worked fairly well (didn't restore my 22yr old jawline, but not bad at all, it took care of probably 90% of the sagging issues). Unfortunately copper peptide treatment also made my skin look rough with large pores (my sisters who also tried CP's noticed this same issue - they got lifting but the skin texture became more coarse). In came the LightStim - it really helped to bring back the smooth, fine textured skin I had before I started copper peptides - so much so that I'm floored by how well this thing works. I can't say about effectiveness on any other issue, but for the skin refinement it's worth every penny. I should use it more often but find I only "get to it" about 3 times a week.

free skin care · Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:59 am

Kassy_A wrote:

FaithTruth wrote:

Well I caved and ordered it Smile

wish me luck!

Good luck!

Be consistent and you will enjoy great results.

I have to agree heartily with your advice to be consistant. Each product I reviewed worked (some faster than others) but you have to be faithful to the regime once you start or don't blame the product. I found that there was a machine out there the could fit almost every budget. You could break the bank and go for a Quasar Pro model at over a thousand or go for the Baby Q (sold at EDS). The benefit of the Baby Q seems to be less heat which is benefits those sensitive to heat like some with Rosacea. The Lightstim is the easiest on the budget if you only need the red light and for me took longer for results but I did get results. The Tanda is great for those who want a model that does both blue (acne) and red (anti-aging) and the price point makes it the budget saver for those who need both. For anyone with acne, the Tanda instruction manual gave the best explanation of how much acne someone should have to need the clear light.

As everyone is different, one product may work well for one and not another, so don't think spending more is the only way to get results.

free skin care · Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:58 pm

sweet28 wrote:

I'm really tempted to order the tanda for acne. Can you give me an idea of how much acne someone should have to benefit from the clear light? I'm experiencing occasional breakouts like pimples/small bumps on the skin or blackheads on the nose but no whiteheads or cysts. Would the Tanda be good for me?

TIA

I went to the instruction booklet for acne information and here's what the Tanda booklet says:

Quote:

The Tanda skincare System is used to treat Mild to Moderate Acne.

There are clinically defined levels of acne that a person may experience, based on the number of pustules (or pimples)on the face. Tanda is targeted at the treatment of mild to moderate acne and pimples. If you are seeing a dermatologist for severe acne, use Tanda under the direction of your dermatologist.

Acne Severity:

Mild: Tanda recommended for use. Blemishes, white/blackheads ,20 white/blackheads <15 inflammatory blemishes, or < 30 total blemishes.

Moderate: Tanda recommended for use. Blemishes 20-100 white/blackheads, or 15-50 inflammatory blemishes, or 30 t0 125 total blemishes.

Severe: See a dermatologist. >5 cysts, or total white/blackheads count>100, or total inflammatory count > 50, or >125 total blemishes.

For more information on Acne please visit http://www.tanda.com

For a professional assessment of acne please see a dermatologist.

free skin care · Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:11 am

bkkgirl wrote:

LightStim didn't work for me, and I'm not sure if it's b/c I'm Asian? Is there any Asian girl who uses LightStim and gets good results?

My best and dearest friend is Chinese and 54 years old. She spent several days visiting me over the holidays.

After a couple of lengthy (90)minute sessions with my LightStim she was on my computer ordering one up.

Make sure you spend enough time on each and every section of your face, and glide the light from section to section. You want to keep the light concentrated, so try not to let the light escape..

Use it everyday, 3 minutes to each and every part of your face, (I include neck and chest also) and you'll most likely see results.

Good Luck!
Kassy

free skin care · Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:35 pm

sweet28 wrote:

I'm really tempted to order the tanda for acne. Can you give me an idea of how much acne someone should have to benefit from the clear light? I'm experiencing occasional breakouts like pimples/small bumps on the skin or blackheads on the nose but no whiteheads or cysts. Would the Tanda be good for me?

TIA

Hi Sweet28,
I am 42 and have suffered from acne my entire life (it's hormonal in my case). My case of acne was not severe. I'd say moderate. I purchased Tanda and it really works. It reduced my inflammatory and cystic acne a lot! Didn't do anything for blackheads, but it really helped with cystic and inflammatory (moderate!) acne.
Hope that helps.
R. Smile

free skin care · Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:45 am

Mars wrote:

Hi, Kassy, I returned my Lightstim after two weeks because it was way to warm on my face. Shock

I'm not delicate but, it was too much for me. I just bought a DPL on ebay from Balkowitsz speling?). I haven't received it yet but, their Customer Service person was MEAN! Really! Exclamation

I don't know if this helps but I never touch the unit to my face but hover it just above to minimize the heat factor.

free skin care · Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:22 am

I get the same results clean face or with topicals.

free skin care · Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:55 am

FaithTruth wrote:

Just used my Baby Q for the first time and am liking the results. Question : when you first start, how intensive can you go with the frequency of treatments? Can I do it everyday? If yes, for how long? Is there ever such a thing as using the Baby Q TOO much? Also do you guys get better results using the Baby Q with or without topicals on the skin?

I use my Q 3 times a week. For my mature skin I apply Hyaluronic acid serum mixed with a few drops of Copper Peptides. Applying this formulation works well for me. Many use the Q on bare skin. You need to find what works best for you. IMO using the Q everyday is too much. Could it hurt to use it daily?No one has ever mentioned daily use causing damage. Perhaps it would dry out your skin.

free skin care · Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:23 am

Winnie wrote:

I use my Q 3 times a week. For my mature skin I apply Hyaluronic acid serum mixed with a few drops of Copper Peptides. Applying this formulation works well for me. Many use the Q on bare skin.

Winnie, when i spoke with AdvanThera guys (almost a year ago! Shock

!, so things may have changed since then), they told me repeatedly to only use BQ on clean skin or at best to only apply completely transparent topicals before BQ treatment. They said that anything with any kind of pigment in it (even amber-coloured salicylic acid) would stop the penetration of light to the surface (and deeper) of skin.
I know that many ladies here use BQ and other LED gadgets with CPs and other topicals, but I am a bit unclear as whether that should be done or not.
Any advice?
Thanks! R. Smile

free skin care · Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:31 am

rubby wrote:

Winnie wrote:

I use my Q 3 times a week. For my mature skin I apply Hyaluronic acid serum mixed with a few drops of Copper Peptides. Applying this formulation works well for me. Many use the Q on bare skin.

Winnie, when i spoke with AdvanThera guys (almost a year ago! Shock

!, so things may have changed since then), they told me repeatedly to only use BQ on clean skin or at best to only apply completely transparent topicals before BQ treatment. They said that anything with any kind of pigment in it (even amber-coloured salicylic acid) would stop the penetration of light to the surface (and deeper) of skin.
I know that many ladies here use BQ and other LED gadgets with CPs and other topicals, but I am a bit unclear as whether that should be done or not.
Any advice?
Thanks! R. Smile

Hi Rubby,

When I received my Quasar SP. AT sent me a topical with the unit. The directions said to apply to face 5 minutes prior to using the SP. It worked very well. Since I have run out of that serum and use HA with CP's.

This is serum AT sent with unit: Silk2 Anti-Aging. Ingredients: HA Acid, glycerin, copper/silk amino acid complex, copper peptide complex, lactic acid, co enzyme Q 10.

It is hard for me to read the extremely tiny print so I just listed ingredients I knew. Guess I need new glasses. Rolling Eyes

free skin care · Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:18 am

Dear ladies,........here is the new site of aventura and here Quasars. There is a lot of info.

And about hyaluron use Wink

http://www.quasarpro.com/index.html

free skin care · Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:31 am

FaithTruth wrote:

Winnie, how often did you use the Baby Q?

I used the BQ everyday for the first week. I continue to use my SP three times a week.

free skin care · Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:39 pm

Tjsmom, you are going to find that there are a lot of opinions on this topic, and a number of threads that you should read...I think it really comes down to what you are trying to accomplish.

For anti-aging, overall skin rejuventation, and hyperpigmentation reduction, I would personally recommend that you get one with Amber, as some people with multiple LEDs are seeing improvement with the amber wavelength.

That leaves you with a choice between the Anti-Aging LightStim and the ProLight Platinum. Many people who use the red/infrared/amber also see an improvement in acne.

But if you have hardcore acne, you might want a blue light....The Baby Blue and the Prolight Blue are both options.

Oh, and check out the Skin Care Tools forum. That's where the bulk of the LED discussions are. Make sure you still read the threads about LEDs that you are NOT interested in, because there is a lot of chatting about various models in those threads as well.

free skin care · Sat May 03, 2008 7:40 pm

Hi Blues, Your so right about these threads being so spread out. It's very hard to keep track.. Rolling Eyes

Probably the majority of my routine is in the "Aging Process" thread, where I answered questions about everything I've used, which includes the good, and the not so good. I also posted quite a bit in the "55 and over" thread when I first joined, so have a peek there too.

In a nutshell, here's how I figure what's worked out and when.

The first thing I tried was the original LS. In fact I found this board while I was researching LED's. I bought the original LS in September, and saw immediate results with my skin tone, clarity + texture. I was using that about 2 months when I added the Derma Wand to the mix, so the LS gets 100% of the credit, because nothing else was added until after I saw amazing results. The first time I used the DW was a disaster! I was over zealous, and wound up with broken caps all over my cheeks. It was a nightmare, and my post's about it, are somewhere. Anyway, I sorted out the best way to use the DW, and realized the eye area was where it would do me the most good. BTW, the light treatments slowly but surely took care of all of my broken capillary issues as well.

I make my own vitamin C serum, and also have made creams and lotions. (A bunch of my recipes are in different threads). Any hoo, I use the C serum most days, and would alternate in the evenings between my home made lotion + alpha hydroxy souffle. I never noted any really noticeable results from that though. My skin just slowly began to look really healthy and begin to firm up.

It's so hard to explain it, but suffice it to say, the light treatments make everything else work better....I hope that makes sense Blues.

I started using the AALS in February, and the addition of the amber lights, has really pushed my results into overdrive. But I also noted when I first got the new one, that I was so excited, I used it 4 or 5 times that first week. It was too much though, because my skin started to look paler than usual. I think it was doing something to the melanin, which would probably great for someone with hyper-pigmentation, but it wasn't good for me. Anyway I then started using it just 2 or at the most, 3 times a week, and that has worked out amazing for me. In the last 3 weeks, my skin has become firmer, than it was 10 years ago.

I should also tell you, that I haven't had to use any creams or lotions lately. My skin is perfectly normal for the first time in my life. I do put a little lotion on now and then, just because it's such a habit, and I know that it's good stuff in there, so it can't hurt.

Jeeeeez! I'm writing a book, and I hope I'm not confusing you altogether. But the main point I want to tell you is that I have a ridiculously simple routine, that is working out very well for this old broad.... Rolling Eyes

Hope this helps answer your questions;

Original LS (started 9/25/07)
Vit C (my 1st was from Cellbone around 11/07)
Added a couple of actives to drugstore cream 11/07)
Derma Wand (I'm pretty sure 11/07, have to check that)
DIY got more serious with homemade cream + a couple of actives (no additional results noted)
NuFace (12/07 that was a disaster from the get go, and never did a thing for my face)
Anti-Aging LS (02/08 previous results have become more dramatic, and my skin is noticeably firmer, reduced pores, and some wrinkles are gone and some are much softer)

I hope that will help to see how I remember it all playing out.. I have a gazillion posts scattered hither + yon, that could definitely fill in the blanks or help with the dates.

I really am happy to answer questions and help in any way I can, so don't hesitate to ask. It has not been too many times in my life, that a product has impressed me the way the LS has.

But that is just my experience with the only LED device I ever tried. I am sure that with the right commitment, the Quasar + Pro Light products will reap the same or similar rewards.

The good thing is that they all offer a return policy if not satisfied, so why not try it, without risk. I saw results from the 1st treatment!

LightStim; 90 days + also trade in options
Quasar; 60 days + trade in options
Pro Light; 30 days (but I think Beth said Rita would give 60, not sure though)

I hope this helps.....phew..

free skin care · Mon Jun 15, 2009 2:21 pm

i got both at 500$ on ebay! cant test it right now cos im waiting for my transformer

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