Summertime, the season of fun!  Between all the backyard bbqs, parties, vacations, and many other social events, clients are often looking for facial treatments that can liven up their appearance ASAP!  A lot of effective facial treatments require some downtime after the treatment when skin can be sensitive, needs to heal, or sheds excess cells (what some might call "peeling").  

Right now many of us don't have the time for the aftereffects of an aggressive treatment, but we want results now!  Luckily, there are a few options  that will give you amazing results without the downtime.

scrub me secret: less aggressive or non-invasive facial treatments are often seen as not being as effective as a chemical peel, microdermabrasion, laser treatment, or botox.  although these treatments are gentle on skin, they can still provide great healing, smoothing, and anti-aging benefits for skin.

  Microcurrent/Galvanic current:

  Treatments like these are called electrotherapy facial services.  Machines create different electro-currents that are safe for the body and provide tissue stimulation, light exfoliation, and firming of facial muscles.  This helps to smooth skin and firm, soften, and reduce wrinkles.  Microcurrent exfoliation is often referred to as the "exfoliating spatula."  High speed currents pulse as the metal exfoliating spatula is maneuvered about the skin's surface.  These small electric currents pulse the spatula, breaking up dead surface cells and debris in the pores.  This also provides a light stimulation for our skin's proteins, helping to keep it firm and healthy.

scrub me secret: sensitive skin types and clients with rosacea do not react well to microdermabrasion or heavy exfoliation. a microcurrent exfoliation treatment can smooth, soften, and brighten skin without damaging.  

A galvanic current machine delivers a steady electro-current that can push product more deeply into the skin, thus helping treatment serums penetrate further into the skin's layers.  A galvanic treatment can also stimulate the facial muscles to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles.  Think of it as a micro massage deep in your facial muscles.  After this, aging skin looks firmer and smoother!

Both of these treatments can greatly help refresh your appearance and benefits your skin.  Immediate results can be seen after a facial with one of these modalities.  The best part is that there is no irritation, healing time, or peeling afterward.  If you are looking for a treatment for the same day as an event or special occasion this would be a great option.

Blue Light/Red light:

scrub me secret: these types of light treatments do not give the same immediate results as the previous ones we discussed.  best results are seen after 4-6 weeks of weekly treatments.

  Red and blue light treatments work by delivering non-damaging light rays that reach deep down to the live layers of the skin.  Red light has different effects than blue.  Both are effective and can also be used together.

Blue light is what is used to treat acne.  Light waves travel down into the pores and kill bacteria that causes acne and excess oils.  This treatment is most effective when used in conjunction with a deep cleansing facial.  Since the blue light kills bacteria that causes acne we still need to treat what has already come to the surface.  Results can be seen as soon as 2 weeks but may take as long as 6 weeks.  If no improvement is shown after 6 weeks of treatment, the blue light probably isn't right for treating your acne.  Some cases of severe acne or hormonal acne cannot be cleared up with this treatment.

scrub me secret: it is important to stay on a regular schedule when receiving blue light therapy.  if too much time passes in-between, bacteria can start breeding again and cause further breakouts.

Red light therapy is used for skin rejuvenation or anti-aging.  Light rays stimulate collagen and elastin and help with cell regrowth.  This treatment is good for keeping skin from sagging or loosing elasticity.  It can slightly help fade fine lines but it is best for maintaining skin firmness.  Since red light helps with cell regrowth, it is also beneficial after more aggressive treatments like microdermabrasion, micro-needling, and chemical peels.  When used in conjunction with the blue light therapy it can be helpful for adult acne, severe acne, or inflamed skin.

High Frequency:

  We aren't done with the light treatments yet!  Our personal favorite is called high frequency.  This name stems from 'Telsa High-Frequency Current'.

scrub me secret: this current was first used in the late 1800s for treatments of infections like strep throat.  later in the 1970s, it started being used in the cosmetics field. 

High-frequency current increases circulation in the tissues of the skin.  This can aid your complexion in a few ways.  Toxins are flushed away from blemishes and fresh oxygenated blood cells are able to flow to the area.  This can help reduce inflammation and heal breakouts faster than normal.  It can also increase collagen and elastin production and improve penetration of serums and hydrators.  Results from high frequency are optimal when paired with a facial.  Products used during the facial will be able to work better and breakouts and inflammation will be reduced.  The circulation from a high-frequency treatment will also leave you looking more radiant.

scrub me secret: some clients opt for a high-frequency treatment for inflamed breakouts or blemishes instead of extracting them.  this can help the blemish subside on its own without having to put stress on the skin, causing a possible mark.

Cooling globes:  

  Want something different than an electric current or a light treatment?  How about trying cooling facial globes with your facial?  Massaging these frozen glass globes into the skin helps calm, reduce inflammation, and diminish swollen tissue and broken capillaries.  Use these around the eyes to take down puffiness and fade darkness.  Facial tissue manipulation can increase lymphatic drainage which helps with issues like acne of facial puffiness.  Getting treated with these often can shrink large blemishes, reduce under-eye puffiness or facial puffiness, and make skin look smoother and brighter. 

scrub me secret: coolness on the surface of the skin creates blood flow and surface circulation, giving your skin a youthful glow.  cooling globes or cool rocks can be used during facial massage. 

Facial massage:

  Speaking of facial massage...did you know that massage during a facial treatment isn't just for relaxation?  Manipulation of facial tissue can help strengthen facial muscles, create blood flow, and drain impurities.  Certain massage techniques are used to lift and firm the neck and face.  Masks and serums can be massaged into skin for optimal results.  Blood flow created from tissue manipulation can help heal skin more quickly after a facial.  Lines and wrinkles look a bit smoother after a facial because the muscles have been relaxed.  Not to mention a great massage gives us radiance!

  The best part about these non-invasive treatments is all of them are virtually painless.  Most of these therapies deliver results for every skin type.  Cooling globes, facial massage, and high frequency are very inexpensive and can easily be added to any facial.  Other light treatments and electrotherapy run anywhere between $35-$200 and require a bit of additional time.  Want to know more about any of these non-invasive facial treatments?  Comment below or contact us through our feedback section!