"The Esthetics Room - What exactly am I doing to you?" Part 2 – The Machine

Tuesday, I answered many common questions that arise on a weekly basis.  Today, I am going to discuss what the “scary” equipment in my room is used for.

Not one person has walked into my room without commenting:

“What is that machine?”

“What is it used for?” 

“It looks like dental equipment.”

And, my favorite,

“Is that a device to torture someone?”

"That Machine" is generally referred to as a Multi-Functional Facial Machine (the title seems pretty obvious, I know).  Some estheticians have more parts on their machine, while others have less, but it’s generally used to aid in caring for your skin, during the facial process.  

My machine has 7 main functions.  I will cover what I use, most often.    

1.     The Vaporizer or Steamer

This is probably the most used item on a facial machine.  Many people are familiar with its calming sound and relaxing warm mist, but do you really know what it is doing? 

The steam serves 3 main purposes:

·         Softening the dead surface cells so they can be more easily removed.

·         Dilating the pores for better absorption of product or easier removal of debris.

·         Either activating a particular type of facial product or lessening the intensity of a facial product. 

To be honest, a client either loves the feel of the steam or despises it. No, all facials do not have to utilize the steam, but if you are in need of extractions, it will make my job allot easier and effective if I use it. Also, never be afraid to speak up if the steam is too strong for you, I can always reposition the steamer

2.    The Massage/Facial Brush

The brush is a wonderful alternative, for exfoliation, to a rough facial scrub or as great deep cleansing tool.  The brush is also produces a pleasant feeling on the skin.

The larger brush head is great for deep cleansing large areas, such as the decollate (aka your chest) or back.  The smaller brush head is perfect for the delicate eye area.  

  When in use, the facial brush should never feel excessively rough or unpleasant.  If you have delicate (thin) skin or many distended capillaries (broken blood vessels), the face brush should not be used.   

3.    High Frequency

I’m sure many of you have asked to get “zapped” before, if you have a blemish, or have heard other people discuss it.  Getting “zapped” is having the high frequency used on you. 

High frequency helps to stimulate blood circulation, to help products penetrate deeper and aid in anti-aging and helps to oxygenate the skin and produce a germicidal effect, important after extractions. You may feel a prick or a tingling sensation while the implement is in use, but it should never hurt.  

*A little science lesson for your day.* 

The high frequency electrodes are made of glass, contain either argon (violet/blue) or neon (orange/red) gases and come in 3 basic shapes.

·         Pointed – the shape most people think of when getting “zapped”.  The electrode contains neon gas.  The neon gas is used for its germicidal properties.  The pointed shape is perfect for spot treating acne or reaching smaller areas, like the sides of the nose. 

·         Spoon – contains argon gas and is used to stimulate the facial area.  It’s great as an anti-aging tool and to help masks absorb more quickly into the skin. 

·         Mushroom – can contain either argon or neon gases.  Its flat surface makes it ideal to treat a large acneic are or penetrate a mask.

4.    Galvanic Current

This treatment is fabulous to aide in disincrustation ( loosening of debris in the pores for extractsions), “closing” pores after a treatment and helping serums/water soluble products penetrate deeper into the skin. 

           

Galvanic current is an actual electrical current that flows through the body.  There is a positive and negative setting. 

No, I am not going to electrocute you, but you will have to hold a grounding electrode while I am performing the service.   If you \have any metal in your body or a pace maker, if you are pregnant or are on a high dose of anti-depressants, I will not perform this service on you.  If you have any metallic fillings in your mouth, you might have a slight taste of metal during this procedure. 

There are two main types of electrodes used in galvanic:

      ·         Facial Electrode 

Generally used on the negative setting of the galvanic machine.  The negative setting causes the pores to open and allows an alkaline solution (the Scaling Fluid from Dermalogica) to penetrate deeper and loosen the hardened sebum in your pores, making extractions easier. (Sebum is the oil your body naturally produces to coat your skin and hair.  It tends to mix with your sweat, lipids and dirt and, at times, gets trapped in your pores.)

Example of a Roller Electrode.

·         Roller Electrode

Generally used on the positive setting of the galvanic machine.  The positive setting causes the pores to constrict, firming the skin.  It also aides in the penetration of water soluble products and soothes the skin after extractions.

After a treatment, you will notice a cleaner, brighter complexion!

5.    Magnifying Lamp and Woods Lamp

Everyone knows what the magnifying lamp is…..it’s the round, bright light with the magnifying glass in the middle, that allows me to see what is going on with your skin, up close and personal. 

But, many of you have probably never heard of a Woods Lamp, before.  The Woods Lamp uses a violet florescent light that, when shined on the skin, illuminates certain substances on the skin and in the pores for better skin evaluation.  

As you can see, the sun damage or "age spots" are easier to see under the light.

For example:

oil = yellow color

dehydrated skin = violet color

sun damage = brown

I will be using the Woods Lamp in most of my facial treatments, this month, so everyone will become familiar with this fabulous tool! 

So, in conclusion, never be afraid of the 

“Scary Machine” in my room….

it’s only there to help, not harm!