Magnets have been used as medical therapeutic devices since the time of the ancient Greeks. They go through occasional resurgences of popularity, and then seem to go out of style again. Today, they are still considered alternative medicine by most physicians, some of whom go so far as to use terms like “quackery” or “nonsense” to describe their use.
Despite the fact that very few studies have shown magnetic therapy to have true value, magnets and magnetic substances continue to be used in some treatments for wrinkles and aging skin. Plenty of users swear by them, but due to the dearth of real science behind the claims, wrinkle-reducing magnets may be more placebo than panacea.
Magnet Therapy: Science versus Anecdotal Evidence
Many studies have been performed to attempt to find out whether magnets have any effect on pain levels. A few researchers claim that magnets increase circulation and reduce pain from injuries, polio, and other disorders.
Some experts scoff at these results and say the studies that produced positive outcomes were poorly designed and proved nothing; others are noncommittal, stating merely that more research needs to be done before conclusions are drawn. Alternative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil notes that he doesn’t think “we can assume that wearing magnets is necessarily healthful – or helpful.”
Nonetheless, reams of word-of-mouth recommendations from magnet users continues to pile up. People who wear magnets swear they reduce swelling and pain, relieve insomnia and anxiety, and impart a feeling of well-being. Some consumers who wear magnets on their faces believe that signs of aging are visibly reduced by this practice.
Magnets for Wrinkle Reduction
Cosmetics companies have taken note of the supposed increase in circulation caused by magnets, and have produced several products that allegedly harness the beneficial powers of magnetic fields. The theory is that hemoglobin in the blood contains iron, so a magnetic field will attract that iron and draw it to the skin. The increased blood flow gets more nutrients and oxygen to the skin, decreases inflammation, and removes cellular debris so that skin repair can take place more rapidly.
Several skincare experts, including Dr. David Yarosh, find these claims dubious at best, pointing out that magnets do not redden the skin and thus probably have little to no effect on circulation. Moreover, if the blood could really be magnetized and drawn to the skin surface, how could anyone ever get an MRI, which uses a magnetic field for imaging purposes?
Magnetic Skincare Products for Acne and Aging Skin
These products come in several variations:
- small static magnets that are applied to the face once or twice per day
- reusable face masks filled with larger static magnets
- acne products containing an iron ore called magnetite, which supposedly reduces inflammation
- products containing hematite, which supposedly increases collagen production
A company called Beauty Magnets sells packets of small cosmetic magnets for eyes, lips, and face. They may be reused 2-3 times. BIOflex Magnetic Wrinkle Reducing Face Mask has a pretty high magnetic strength, but is a bit reminiscent of Dr. Lecter’s Silence of the Lambs look.
A magnetite therapy peel-off mask for all skin types including acne sufferers is available from ilike Organic Skin Care, and La Mer uses magnetized hematite in its Eye Concentrate.
Whether it works or not, alternative medicine magnetic therapy involves using magnets with at least a 2000-3000 Gauss induction strength; such therapies must not be used by people with bleeding disorders, pacemakers or other internal electronic devices, cancer or benign tumors, or who are taking anticoagulants. The strongest cosmetic treatments appear to utilize magnets of only 400-500 Gauss (a refrigerator magnet measures about 10 Gauss), but those same warnings and precautions should still be applied to their use. The cosmetic creams contain such tiny particles that they may used safely by anyone, however (indicating that they don’t do much of anything to stimulate circulation either).
Relaxation May be Producing Younger-looking Skin
The idea of using magnetic fields to reverse the effects of aging is an interesting one, but most likely has no validity. The consumer is encouraged to “relax” while using the devices; and that half-hour or so of relaxation is probably producing the positive results some users have observed in the mirror.
Practicing yoga and meditation will doubtless offer the same benefits. Cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Hema Sundaram claims that she can always tell when a patient meditates regularly by the condition of her skin and her telltale radiance of a “magnetic aura.” Sounds like that beats magnets any day.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources
Barrett, Dr. Stephen, “ Magnet Therapy: A Skeptical View,” Quackwatch.org.
Calandra, Bob, “The Attraction of Magnet Therapy,” medicinenet.com.
Clark, Rebecca, "Magnets Take Hold of Health Care," Your Health, Sept. 2009.
“Magnetic Beauty,” New Beauty, Vol. 6, Issue 2, Spring-Summer 2010.
“ Magnetic Field Therapy,” allsands.com.
Yarosh, Dr. Daniel, The New Science of Perfect Skin, New York: Broadway Books, 2008 (comment about lack of reddened skin from p. 106).
Dr. Sundaram’s “magnetic aura” comment from p. 94 of her book Face Value, Rodale, 2003.
Dr. Weil’s comment taken from p. 151 of his book Ask Dr. Weil, Fawcett-Columbine, 1997, 1998.
Amy Sillup - I have a B.S. in Chemistry from Delaware Valley College and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. I have worked as a ...
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