Electrical-Assisted Facials
The Hottest Treatments Rely on Microcurrent Technologies
Facials employing microcurrents manipulate muscles, reduce frown lines, and tighten and tone skin while galvanic treatments clean pores and enhance product penetration.
Spas provide a wide range of services that enhance health as well as beauty. And fortunately for spa clients, good health and beauty often work hand in hand. For instance, good health is frequently reflected in clear, smooth skin and sparkling eyes. Likewise, aesthetic or cosmetic treatments such as facials can contribute to well-being, which, in turn, benefits immune system health.
In recent months, facial treatments offered at spas have increased in popularity, largely as a result of new and improved spa services. More spas are now offering hot stone facials . Some of the top luxury spas are also offering the plaisir des sens facial. In addition, holistic therapies such as those based on chakras are now incorporated into facials and other spa services. The plant-based Aveda product line has recently added an assortment of chakra-based products.
Electricity and Muscles
While electricity is often considered a modern convenience, electrical current is a natural phenomenon and an integral part of the body’s communication system. Every motion performed by the body is aided by the Golgi tendon organ, which runs on continuous pulses of low-level electrical energy. In addition, the heart relies on electrical impulses for muscle contraction, and the nervous system relies on electrical impulses for its communication system.
As a consequence of the aging process, the Golgi system slows down. Consequently, reflexes slow down, biochemical impulses diminish in strength, and muscles lose elasticity and firmness. As an example, the corrugator muscle, which brings the eyebrows together in a frown, is unable to complete relax. This causes a vertical frown between the eyebrows. Alternately, the masseter muscle, which is involved in chewing, relaxes too much. This causes fine lines around the mouth, wrinkles, and sagging jowls.
Electricity and Facial Muscles
The benefits of electricity have been used in the health field since the 1960s when electrical impulses were first used to treat Bell’s palsy, which causes facial drooping on one side of the face. Today, electrical impulses are use in the rehabilitation of stroke victims and to speed wound healing following burns, injuries, and surgical procedures.
Microcurrent Technology
Microcurrent technology for aesthetic purposes, particularly to combat the effects of aging, emerged in the 1980s. Microcurrent therapies help re-establish communication between muscle fibers and the brain. Microcurrent technology uses frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 500 hertz and currents ranging in intensity from 50 to 1,000 microamperes. At these ranges, microcurrents mimic the body’s natural electrical impulses and increase the body’s levels of adenosine triphosphate, ATP, a form of energy found in the body’s cells. In addition, microcurrent technology increases dermal collagen production and increases the number of dermal fibroblasts, which are early cells that form connective tissue.
Microcurrent Facials
Microcurrent technologies are used to massage and stimulate facial muscles. Facials that use microcurrent technology restore facial muscles’ original configuration, and help tone and tighten the skin. Changes are generally seen after one session although results only last a few days. Similar to exercise, permanent changes are noted after extended sessions, usually 5-15 microcurrent technology sessions performed at the rate of 2 sessions weekly. Sessions usually last from 25-45 minutes. After 3-4 weeks, skin plumping is noticeable.
Microcurrent technologies are sometimes given along with LED or exfoliative therapies. The Suzuki system provides a variable range of microcurrents to enhance results. The Impulse microcurrent is similar but uses a high frequency impulses. Contraindications to microcurrent technologies include seizure disorders, cancer, metal implants, and pregnancy. The effects of microcurrent therapies during pregnancy have not been studied. Side effects, which may occur during microcurrent procedures, include tingling, especially near the mouth.
Galvanic Therapies
Galvanic therapies use more powerful impulses in the milliamp rather than microamp spectrum. Muscles do not respond to galvanic stimulation. However, galvanic current enhances product penetration and enables deep pore or dis-incrustation healing. Galvanic therapies are effective at opening pores and they help plump and firm the skin rather than affect muscles.
Resources:
Inga Hansen, Electric Beauty, Day Spa, January, 2008.
Bio-Therapeutic
