At least 10 years ago, I moderated a usage study with teens and 20-somethings for a device company outside of Boston. They had invented a small handheld device that emitted blue light. The blue light had been shown to heal blemishes. That was the first time I had ever heard that lightwaves could be used to heal skin.
I guess I haven’t been paying attention because now light of different colors/wavelengths are all the rage for anti-aging skincare benefits.
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SpaceTouch Vega
In early July, I got an email from a new-to-me skincare device company, Space Touch, asking if I would be interested in trying one of their devices. I checked out the Space Touch website to look at their devices. The website was nicely designed, and it looked very, well, space age. I looked at the sleek, luxurious devices, and when I noticed the prices, my jaw dropped. They are crazy expensive.
I wrote back to the person who emailed me and told him, though I would love to try out one of their devices for review, I didn’t know if my readers would or could afford to buy skincare devices at that price point. He assured me that they want to build their brand by getting their name out there.
Space Touch sent me the Vega. The packaging alone was luxurious and modern. A very protective, metallic rose gold presentation box held the Vega and its charging device.
The box also included a warranty card and a very slim user manual.
What Does the Vega Do?
The Vega emits both red and orange light.
Those wavelengths are supposed to stimulate collagen to help heal wrinkles and fade dark spots. They’re also supposed to help firm skin. There is preliminary scientific research, including research by NASA, that supports those claims.
Since it is used with serum on the skin, it helps the ingredients penetrate skin layers as well.
I could hardly wait to get started, but first I had to charge the device. When you plug in the charger, a ring around the charger and a button on the charger light up an amber color.
I don’t know where I got this idea, but I thought I had to keep the device itself on the charger till the amber light went out. After 3 days, the light still hadn’t gone out, so I decided to try it anyway. Turns out, the Vega only needs to charge for 3 or 4 hours. If I had a wish, I wish that there was some indicator that showed when the device was fully charged.
Once charged, the device is supposed to be usable for about 20 hours.
How Do You Use the Vega?
Vega is not at all complicated.
While the device emits colored light, it also heats up. Red is hotter than orange. You’re supposed to start out with orange, and after you get used to it, you move on to red.
There is a button on the front that functions as both an on-off button and it also allows you to select red or orange depending on whether you push it once for red light and twice for orange light. There is a timer that sets the device for the optimal amount of time for each wavelength, 10 minutes for red, 8 minutes for orange.
The rounded metal and plastic top of the Vega lights up and heats the metal. In order to mitigate drag on the skin, I apply serum first, and the device glides over my face. I move it in either circular motions or move it in upward motions on my face. I concentrate on my dark spots, wrinkles and my jawline.
My Thoughts on Space Touch Vega
I actually love using the Space Touch Vega! I use it at night before bed, and the warmth on my face is incredibly relaxing.
After trying a different colored light device that I will write about in the future, I love the Vega even more because the light is not too strong for my eyes and I control where it goes.
Immediately after using the Vega, my face looks tightened and the wrinkles less obvious. I’ve been using it for about 5 weeks several times a week, and I think it has helped me most lightening the dark spots on the left side of my face and with firmness. Maybe some of my wrinkles are less pronounced? I definitely think I need to use it more than just 5 weeks or so.
The Space Touch Vega is positioned as being a replacement for medispa services. Honestly, I am not sure that it could be a replacement for Botox etc., but I guess I’ll find out longer term. I think that it’s a good add-on, though at its eye-popping price, it makes sense to use it instead of spending big bucks on plastic surgery and dermatological services, though I don’t think it can deliver those more immediate and lasting results.
Reliability
After using my Vega on a regular basis for a couple of weeks, it stopped working, which I assumed meant it was out of juice. I put it on the charger, but when I tried it, it still didn’t work. I contacted Space Touch Customer Service by the online chat. The Customer Service rep, Jeanne Aquino, came right on and suggested we communicate by email. She emailed me immediately, and I explained what happened. She suggested that I push and hold the on-off button for 30 seconds. I did it, but it made beeping noises and shut off. Jeanne then emailed me a return label, and I boxed up the Vega and sent it back via FEDEX Ground.
Customer Service: My Second Vega
After they received the first Vega about a week or so later, I received a new Vega. I charged it, this time only for 3-4 hours, and it worked perfectly for about two and a half weeks. Then when it didn’t start up, I assumed it was out of juice. I put it on the charger for 3-4 hours, but when I tried it, it started up by turning red, but after about 3 seconds it beeped repeatedly and shut itself off. Just like the first Vega.
I contacted Jeanne on Monday by email, and she asked me to try pushing the button for 30 seconds. When I pushed the button, the Vega started up and turned red on top for about 3 seconds, then it made the series of beeping sounds and shut itself off.
Next she suggested that I try pushing the on-off button twice in a row. I pushed the button, it turned on, made the beeping noises and shut itself off, but I continued to hold the button for the entire 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, I took my finger off the button for a few seconds and tried pushing the button again. That time, it started up and worked like a charm. I probably should have tried this with the first Vega when it stopped.
Space Touch’s customer service via Jeanne is certainly top notch! She’s been there for me every step along the way.
I’m so glad it’s working again! Nevertheless, it appears that the Vega gets confused after a while and needs to be reset. It reminds me of my iPhone, when I have to power it down completely and bring it back up, so it will work correctly. To be honest, I think an expensive device like this should work flawlessly, but I also feel that way about my iPhone.
Purchase Info
As I mentioned to the man who first contacted me about Space Touch, I’m not sure who could afford to buy the Space Touch devices. I noticed online that a number of salons and spas have them. The Vega is priced on the Space Touch website at around $5700. Yes, you read that right. There are ways to get them for much, much less, like on EBay, but having an active warranty is essential.
At any rate, I lucked out getting this nifty skincare device for free. And having Jeanne around to help me is equally terrific.
Do you have a colored light device that you love? There are soooooo many of them on the market now!
Hi, Allison – When I saw this headline, I was excited to read about this red light device. I’ve been looking around for one and wondering what’s good. That’s very interesting about the big reset it needs periodically. It sounds like this Spacetouch is doing good things for your skin. I’m assuming you have the best. So congratulations! How awesome! The information you provide here is valuable to me because it shows me that the infrared light therapy actually works. Thanks for sharing your experience – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
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I have two other colored light products to review. Putting all three together would make the perfect device, lol. Nevertheless, stay tuned!
Sounds pretty amazing but not everyone will spend that kind of money which is a shame. I hope it continues working well for you.
You can say that again, Marcia!
I was so excited about this product too. Um, no thanks even though I really need it for my dark spots. With my health issues there is no way I could afford even $500. But good to read your posts even if I don’t post a reply. Hope Jeff is doing better….I had no idea until recently how sick he was. Sounds like he has some of the health issues that Dick did.
This sounds fantastic, except it is priced too high for most folks to consider! I’m so glad that it is easy to use and it is something I would definitely love to try!
What serum did you use? I bought this when I was in Vegas and paid about $3000. They said to use the red light first and then the yellow. They said to use it on dry skin.
Gee, Becki, the place that you bought it from gave you not so great advice. When the company sent it to me, they told me how to use it and there was a small card in the box with some information. I told them they needed more information to go with it, but they didn’t think so. You can use any serum that give some “slip” to your skin. Since I’m a blogger, I have a million serums and use whichever. I like a lightweight oil that I bought myself from Korres called Velvet Skin Drink because it stays slippery while I’m using the Vega. What you should do when you first get the device (you’re already past that) is start out with the orange light because it’s less hot and do that until you acclimate to it. Then you would “graduate” to the red light. You don’t really use the two lights in succession, though I guess nothing bad happens if you do. I’m sorry that the people you bought it from at such a high price didn’t give you the right info. I think if you try using it with serum you will enjoy it much more. I got mine in July, and I used it just about every night till January when I got sick (nothing to do with the device). This past week, I started using it again, and I had to start with the orange light because my skin couldn’t handle the red. LMK how it goes using a serum! Also, don’t hesitate to contact the company with questions. There a woman that I think I mentioned in the post who was very helpful to me.
Thank you for the great information! I also bought this product in Las Vegas. The salesman told me to use it once a month with a product he included with the sale price. Did the company told you that it’s ok to use multiple times a week?
Lacy, you can use it a few times a week in the beginning and then everyday, if you like. After you’ve been using it a while, you can switch to a “maintenance mode” using it once a week or more. I use mine almost everyday because I find it so relaxing!!
I also bought a Vega from a medical spa. The woman I dealt with told me to use vitamin C cream and arnica for my dark spots. I have been using the vitamin C and will be adding arnica once I research which one to buy. She also told me that these devices help with inflammation. I am hoping to reduce joint pain also.
Also, make sure to press the device down firmly on the charging station and both charging station and device will light up. The light will go out on the device but the charging station will stay lit once it has charged. Usually takes a few hours.
My spots are fading. I’m not so sure the results regarding inflammation will be positive.
Gee, I wasn’t aware of arnica cream for dark spots, Maureen. Vitamin C does fade spots somewhat (for me, it completely faded my freckles but my dark spots are still visible), but coupled with the red light I’m glad you are seeing real results. I haven’t tried the Vega for inflammation, but I find it helpful for firming and lifting.g I’ve had my Vega for about 3 years now, I think. And though my usage has dropped off a bit from everyday, I still love it. In fact, I will use it tonight!
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Maureen. I hope you continue to love your Vega, too!