Regular Truth In Aging readers know that a couple of years ago I forked out over $400 for a Baby Quasar, at home LED light therapy device, and have never looked back. LED really seems to plump up the skin and is one of the few remedies for labial nasal lines that I have found.  I bought my Baby Q after reading a lot of reviews from satisfied customers – even though it is more expensive than other LED devices. So when I was approached by Sirius to test its $149.95 Aurora LED device (now in the TIA shop), I was skeptical to say the least.

I am amazed to say that the Sirius Aurora is every bit as good as a Baby Quasar, possibly better, certainly better value.

For several weeks I have been using the Aurora mostly on my hands and forehead (although am now testing it around the mouth and jawline). The Aurora comes with three lights (the Baby Q, just one): red light for wrinkles, green light for hyperpigmentation and blue light for acne (with a Baby Q. Each light panel clips easily into place and has a much larger surface than the Baby Q. Since I don’t have acne, I haven’t tested the blue light (although research suggests that blue light can be very successful in treating mild to moderate acne).

I used the red light on its own or with Your Best Face’s Antioxidant Concentrate or Hydrate B. For the thin skin on the back of the hands, I find this combination really does seem to make the skin plumper (perhaps actually thicker). I alternated using the green light and I do think that a freckle on my right hand might have faded slightly. All in all, Aurora seemed to be doing the job of Baby Quasar plus some.

By this time, I was wondering what could justify Baby Q being almost three times the price of Aurora. Actually, more as you’d have to spend more than $700 to get a blue light as well. So I hopped on to the Baby Q website. There I was told that the big difference between Baby Quasar and other LED devices is that it has four wavelengths of light that are pulsed sequentially. I didn’t really know what this meant, but decided it was worth putting it to Sirius Phototherapeutics, the makers of Aurora.

They questioned the whole idea of sequencing the light saying: “It's unclear what they mean when they say BQ has "sequencing". A single LED emits light at a specific wavelength and there is no way to manipulate it to make it go up or down the wavelength scale. A light is either 'on' - emitting energy at a specific wavelength or it's 'off' - emitting no energy.”

Sirius Beauty also added that the treatment head surface area of the Baby Quasar is 3.14 square inches. The surface of the Aurora's treatment panels is 4.71 square inches - 50% greater. The BQ's power output is 2.6 joules per square centimeter, while the Aurora's is 2.8 joules.

One thing I will say is that the larger head surface of the Aurora makes it easier and – importantly – much faster to use.

If anyone is considering an LED device but is balking at the price of a Baby Quasar, I would definitely recommend trying out the Aurora.