Being someone who is quite vain and concerned about my appearance, it was obvious who was going to test the Skin Lite Therapy unit in our team. Given that I'm already the happy owner of another product from the same range, I was expecting great things from this device. It took just one day for me to be completely sold.

Skin Lite therapy works by using infrared lights (also known as LED) which your skin absorbs to stimulate your cells own healing process. The light can be slowly passed over your skin or held over an area for a few minutes. What I liked about this unit is that you have a choice of different coloured light, and according to the Skin Lite brochure, each colour affects your skin in different ways. You can also change the intensity of the light and the time the unit runs for. The lights are quite bright, and my eyes being sensitive didn't like the glare at all. Luckily the unit also comes with a plastic spacer which can be attached to the hand held unit and focuses the light on your chosen area, thus protecting your eyes when aiming at your face. The unit is fully-inclusive and very compact. Being the size of a toastie-maker but with only a fifth of its weight, it can easily travel in carry bags or be slotted into a drawer. The only part of the unit which is not included is the soothing moisturiser which you are encouraged to use afterwards.

When first I opened the brochure it promised fabulous things. It was going to reduce acne, rejuvenate my skin, even out combination skin (which I have), and reduce the signs of ageing. Before I read any further I turned the machine on, set it on low, and aimed it at a breakout that had dared appear on my face only that morning. When next I rolled out of bed, I was utterly stunned to find that my skin was already healing! Right, I was a believer.

For the next few weeks I held the light over various parts of my face, neck and body hoping for a miracle. Everyday I checked and everyday I couldn't see any difference. Finally I started asking people, which is always awful as they are forced to tell you nice things about yourself. Eventually someone mentioned in passing that I looked really healthy... the morning after a long night. A few more people noticed after that, and then one day so did I. I woke up feeling rubbish as usual, as I hate mornings, but on checking the mirror my skin looked quite wonderful. Not quite the ten-years-younger miracle I was expecting, but still amazing considering my lifestyle!

The nicest thing about the Skin Lite Therapy unit is that it is inexpensive and can be used in the comfort of your own home. If you're not ready to include regular peels as part of your beauty routine, or are too busy to take time out for a trip to the salon, this unit could be the convenient way of staving off panic. Mine now lives next to the bed where I can use it before I go to sleep. However if sharing the bed doesn't thrill you, it could just as easily be used at your desk or in front of the TV. Hopefully a few weeks more of using the unit will finally give me the miracle of youth that I am waiting for... (as long as no one mentions cutting out alcohol, eating regular meals and getting 8 hours of sleep, that is..)

RRP ££69.99 - See Beauty Works, or Tel: 01322 226 031 for further details