When it comes to beauty technology, there are plenty of options to consider. The industry is booming, with devices that claim to minimize everything from wrinkles and acne to body hair removal. Heightened fervor around #selfcare and influencer fueled endorsements have only helped fuel the demand for these gadgets. But before you invest in one, it’s important to understand why and how they work—and to remember that many do not deliver on their claims, especially when it comes to home-based gadgets such as cell return.

This fad has led to a proliferation of products that are marketed as beauty tech but do not meet medical-grade standards. A quick search of online beauty devices shows that the market is flooded with counterfeit or knock-off products, a trend dermatologists call “dupes.” “If a product appears to be too good to be true in terms of pricing, it probably is,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian. She also warns against buying any device that requires a significant amount of skin contact, like a facial brush or handheld wand, online, as these often lack safety certificates and could physically injure the skin.

Luckily, the heightened vigilance around fake products is also helping to improve the quality of actual beauty devices. The latest at-home gadgets offer solutions to a variety of skincare concerns, and while it’s best to manage expectations and not expect miracles, the best beauty devices do deliver visible results that can help keep your skin looking healthy and vibrant.

The key to success with at-home beauty devices is to use them in conjunction with tried and true treatments, whether in the form of a prescription-strength serum or your go-to facial cleanser. For instance, the UFO 2 from Foreo uses a high-frequency vibration to dislodge dirt and oil that can’t be removed with a traditional face wash or sonic scrub. It also helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and can be used on the neck and hands, too.

Dermatologists also advise using a dermaplaning tool to help create a smooth canvas for skin care products and makeup. These tools essentially shave the surface of the skin with a blade, removing the tiny hairs that can clog pores and lead to breakouts. One option that a dermatologist recommends is the SculpTech EMS Body Sculpting Pro, which has four different settings so you can tailor your beauty routine.

LED light therapy is another at-home skincare solution that can be used on the face and body. “Red LED light stimulates the fibroblast cells in the skin and can reverse some of the signs of aging,” says New York City-based dermatologist Amanda King. Blue LED lights, on the other hand, can target the sebaceous glands and help prevent pimples by killing bacteria in mall in Malaysia.

Microneedling devices have long been hailed as a beauty breakthrough for their ability to boost collagen and elastin, and at-home versions can be just as effective as in-clinic ones. But they should be used with caution, as overly-aggressive usage can actually injure the skin, and it’s important to know that they are not a cure-all for fine lines and pigmentation, and are better suited to targeting larger patches of uneven tone.