Continuing my blog from last week on healthy aging…
Microcurrent
Since Oprah started raving about Microcurrent as the non-surgical face lift a year ago it has been one of the hottest skin care fixes on the market. Originally developed in the U.S. in the late 1980s, micro-current therapy was used to treat facial weakness in victims of Bell’s Palsy and strokes when their faces took on a “lop-sided” appearance because it helped lift patients faces back into place.
Micorcurrent is often considered a form of electrical acupuncture involving microcurrent stimulation applied at points on the face and elsewhere on the body. Expectations are that the stimulation will boost the cells’ ability to rid themselves of waste products and raise the levels of nourishment and oxygenation by increasing blood flow.
This treatment has been available in the U.K. for cosmetic purposes since the early 1990s and was the original “non-surgical face-lift”. Treatment claims include the reduction of wrinkles, an improvement in the overall shape of the face, a better complexion and improvements in the appearance of stretch marks and scar tissue.
Because the microcurrent’s current is literally only a millionth of an amp you feel very little, if anything at all, when the current is applied to your skin. There are no visible signs of this stimulation during or after the treatment.
Sessions are usually sold in packages of 5, 10, or 15. 2-3 treatment sessions are usually recommended for the first few weeks. Then 1 a week until you see the results you want. Most people need about 15 treatment to get the full results they want, but you should see changes in 4-5 sessions. This treatment does need monthly maintenance so expect to add it to your monthly facial costs. Treatments take between 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Prices vary but you can usually find this treatment alone for just under $100 a session.
Ultrasound
When we hear this we think of babies, but ultrasound has many uses, and it is just now re-emerging into the skin care field. Estheticians and doctors alike are using it treat scars, stretch marks, sun damage, wrinkles, puffiness, sagging skin, aging, cellulite, and detoxification.
Ultrsound’s vibration and thermal (heat) stimulation are said to induce huge biological effects in the skin which include blood vessel dilatation, oxygenating the skin, improved circulation and lymph flow, muscle relaxation, reduced inflammation, pain relief, and deeper product penetration.
Skin treatments are therefore thought to be more effective with ultrasound since the ultrasonic vibrations penetrate deep into pores and hair follicles to break up old, dead cells and oily blockages, and at the same time the heat and vibration are working in tandem to stimulate collagen while penetrating any water based product deeply into the skin. The skin’s metabolism is being increased which causes lymph flow and detoxification. All of which create healthy aging skin.
Scar tissue, an item that is hard for anyone to heal, is showing amazing improvements with ultrasound. It’s believed that the thermal effect of ultrasound loosen, stretch, and re-orient collagen tissue as well as heal bruised areas.
Multiple treatments are usually required. It is safe for all skin colors and types. The number and frequency of the treatments depend on your skin type and your response to the treatments. Improvements are said to be seen by the fourth treatment. The treatment is typically not given alone, but in conjunction with another service like a facial or microdermabrasion and will cost between $100-$200 a session.
I know I didn’t include Lasers and IPL’s in this article, and they do belong here, but I need to dedicate an entire blog to them. There is just too much info, and since they can REALLY hurt you, and I do work at one of the best laser places out there, I want to make sure I spend the time on them that is needed. So come back in the weeks ahead for that post. 🙂
An interesting note:
While doing research on ultrasound I came across a really amazing article on skin delivery systems. Take a look if needle free injections and carrier size molecules are something that fascinate you like they do me.