Electrotherapy Machines
This section is not part of the treatment menu, but a description of the electrical machines that I use during skin treatments. I decided to write this section as although I know what to expect, you might not!
Below you will find a list of machines that I use, along with a brief explanation of what they do and what to expect when you are receiving treatment with the machine.
Not listed here are diagnostic tools such as a moisture analyser, magnifying headset and woods lamp etc.
bt-sonic®
What does it do?
The bt-sonic® is a sonic cleansing brush with anti-microbial Azul silicone bristles. It works product into the skin, ensuring a thorough cleanse.
What to expect?
A slight vibration over the area being worked on.
bt-micro®
What does it do?
The bt-micro® uses ultrasonic exfoliation, which works by creating high speed oscillations with a metal blade. This loosens surface debris preparing for better product penetration. This is a multi-function tool that also uses a mirocurrent setting for enhanced product penetration.
What to expect?
A slight vibration over the area being worked on along with a slight buzzing sound. When used on microcurrent modes the blade will be placed flat on the skin and in some areas (like the temple) a slight high pitched sound can be heard.
Galvanic machine
What does it do?
Galvanic machines use an electrical current with positive and negative electrodes. Iontopheresis is the process of using a positively charged electrode to deliver products past the stratum corneum as it affects the permeability of the skin. Desincrustation is taking place if the polarity is flipped. The now negative electrode will repel a solution (sodium based) into the skin which will then saponify oils and comedones (black heads), making them easy to extract.
What to expect?
A slight tingling sensation may be felt depending on how high the current is. You may also get a slightly metallic taste in your mouth, which is due to the electrical current. You may also be asked to hold the passive electrode while the working electrode is being used by myself. If you are in for a ProSkin 60 treatment, it is likely that as your shoulders are exposed, I will place the passive electrode under a shoulder. The current can be adjusted and is rarely uncomfortable, however you will feel this one!
High frequency machine
What does it do?
High frequency uses low and high frequency alternating currents. A glass electrode filled with gas has current passed through which then converts some of the oxygen in the air into ozone, which is anecdotally germicidal. It gently warms the skin allowing better product penetration, making it brilliant for acne treatment by not being too stimulating. Indirect high frequency stimulates the skin with heat to aid product penetration.
What to expect?
A loud(ish) buzzing noise can be heard. If you have your eyes open you may also see a bright glow, which is the gas in the electrode. When producing ozone you will notice a change in the smell of the air surrounding you (kind of smells like chlorine). If having indirect high frequency you will be asked to hold a glass electrode in your hand while I massage your skin.
bt-nano® microcurrent machine (aka non-surgical face lift)
What does it do?
Using a micro-current (hence the name) it will mimic your muscles own bio-electric currents, causing them to contract and tone themselves. The bt-nano® uses the patented Suzuki Sequencing™ platform.
What to expect?
You will feel a slight involuntary contraction of your facial muscles. This is a bizarre feeling at first, but you quickly get used to it. On some areas with less fatty tissue you will feel the probes working over the skin, but this is not uncomfortable. This machine may also be used for iontopheresis or desincrustation, but you will not have to hold onto an electrode as the positive and negative poles are switched at high speed between the facial probes.
Diamond microdermabrasion from Silhouette Dermalift
What does it do?
Using a synthetic diamond tip along with vacuum suction, the tip is passed over the skin and removes surface debris. The vacuum suction, while vacuuming up the debris also has the benefit of aiding lymphatic drainage. The resurfacing action also encourages cell renewal and collagen production.
What to expect?
It is like being licked by a cat that has a tiny vacuum in its mouth. A bizarre but accurate description!
Vacuum suction
What does it do?
Using a glass ventouse, an adjustable vacuum is created over the skin. The movement of this ventouse has the effect of moving lymph along from congested areas and draining them to lymph nodes. Special types of ventouse may be used during extractions of comedones (black heads).
What to expect?
Pretty much what you would expect. It feels like a tiny vacuum moving across the skin.
Rotary brushing
What does it do?
This machine uses interchangeable brush heads with different functionalities, such as a sponge head to work product across the skin and a dry body brush to remove surface debris prior to massage.
What to expect?
I only use this one for body treatments so you would most likely have the dry body brush attachment which will feel slightly scratchy but not unpleasant.
Celluma LED therapy
What does it do?
LED therapy uses a series of highly calibrated LED's that operate on a specific frequency (sorry, but your Christmas lights won't do the job). The use of LED therapy has been backed up by over 200 reports from well respected universities and medical labs. The main one being NASA, who have shown red light to be beneficial in the healing of wounds. Blue light is antibacterial and highly effective in the fight against acne. Celluma Pro is listed in the EU as a class IIa medical device for wound healing. Cells absorb particles of light (photons) and transform their energy into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the form of energy that cells utilize. The resulting elevation of ATP is then used to power metabolic processes; synthesize DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, and other products needed to repair or regenerate cell components.
What to expect?
There is no physical sensation caused by the lights, however in order to get the best possible results the device needs to be very close to your skin meaning it is not suitable if you feel claustrophobic easily. The device can be positioned further away but due to the ‘inverse square law’ of optical physics, where it is understood that energy twice as far from the source is spread over four times the area, delivering one fourth intensity to the target surface. This does not mean it is ineffective, just less effective at greater distances which is why I use the Celluma Pro device which can be physically wrapped around each individuals unique contours.
Ultrasound with Genesis from Silhouette Dermalift
What does it do?
Ultrasound uses a technology once only used by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and medical spas. A sophisticated sound wave technology is used to penetrate deep below the surface of the skin to stimulate cell renewal, collagen production, toning, circulation and lymphatic drainage to reduce puffiness in areas like the eyes.
What to expect?
To ensure maximum penetration of sound waves and easy glide across the skin, a cool gel is applied (I'll warn you when it is going on!). Depending on your sensitivity you may feel a slight tingling sensation, but it is virtually sensation free.
Microneedling & nano-needling
What does it do?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a treatment that encourages your own skin to produce a healing response using collagen and elastin to improve the appearance and condition of your skin by repeatedly piercing the skin with a disposable sterile needle cartridge. Nano-needling uses stainless steel pyramids to resurface and help with product infusion into the skin. Body microneedling may be performed using a sterile, single use, roller and feels similar to microneedling from the pen method.
What to expect?
Microneedling feels like sandpaper moving across the skin and can be slightly itchy for a couple of seconds after the needle cartridge has passed over the area being treated. The sterile serum applied as the cartridge passes over can be slightly cold too. Nano-needling is minimally invasive and really only the vibration can be felt as the cartridge passes over the treatment area. As this treatment stimulates collagen and elastin it takes some time to see results, anywhere from a few weeks to several months (I know, but very much worth it!).
GlacierFacial - hot and cold galvanic hammer
What does it do?
GlacierFacial combines heating, cooling, and galvanic technologies to treat a wide variety of issues. The galvanic current works by propelling active ingredients further into the skin by temporarily delivering a specific iontophoresis current. When used with the warming feature this opens pores for maximum product penetration. When the cold element is engaged this closes the pores and can also be used to reduce inflammation when it is not wanted, soothing the skin.
What to expect?
You may feel a small electrical tingling sensation when the device is passed over your skin. Likewise depending on the settings, you will experience a warming sensation or a cooling sensation.
Zemits Klein RF 2.0 - Radio Frequency (RF)
What does it do?
RF technology heats the dermal layers of the skin, causing controlled damage to the existing collagen fibres. This triggers a natural wound-healing response, leading to the production of new collagen and elastin fibres. The increased collagen helps improve skin firmness, elasticity, overall texture, reducing wrinkles and fine lines. An immediate tightening effect improves the appearance of sagging or loose skin, particularly on the face and neck. With repeated treatments, cumulative collagen stimulation over four to six weeks post treatment can lead to long-term skin tightening effects.
What to expect?
You will feel heat as the device is moved over the skin and this heat may feel fairly deep (think hot stone massage level heat) and you might feel a slight tingling sensation. Following the treatment you may possibly experience swelling and redness for around 24 hours. If you are incredibly sensitive to heat this treatment might not suit you.
On the day of your treatment we will have a chat about what you want to achieve and I will design a treatment plan especially for you using these electrotherapy machines. If you do have any questions about any of the machines being used on you please feel free to ask, as I can give you further explanation about each one. Some of these machines have restrictions placed on their use treating someone with a medical condition. Where this occurs I will offer an alternative (just in case something has caught your eye that you NEED to try!).