Brush It Off: Deep Cleansing Techniques

Electric brushes assist with cleansing and exfoliation during a skin treatment. When combined with an abrasive scrub, they mildly intensify the exfoliating action. Electric Brushes also help remove excess sebum and compactions, assist in the removal of make-up and cleanse the skin thoroughly.

The bristles of most brush head attachments are nylon and soft to the touch. Brushes can be used in conjunction with or in place of a manual cleansing or exfoliating routine.

The following brush attachments provide a thorough coverage of the entire face, neck and décolleté:

• Cylindrical brush: ideal in shape for the upper chest and neck area, allowing the therapist to move with the curve of the neck
• Round brush: great for the face
• Smaller round brush: allows us to get into those hard to reach areas, such as the crease of the chin, side of the nose and eyebrows
• Round sponge: an option for deep cleansing a slightly more sensitive skin, where less stimulation is required.

The rate at which the brush head rotates may be adjusted to suit the client’s skin needs. Prior to starting the procedure, slightly dampen the brush, and use steam when cleansing to keep the product moist and help the flow of the brush on the skin.

Vacuum Suction

Vacuum Suction is a mechanical method of stimulating sluggish or stagnant lymphatic fluid and assisting in the removal of toxins from the immediate area. It can be used as a pre-extraction spot treatment or as a complete lymph circulation treatment for the face. It results in the following benefits:

• Helps release skin blockages
• Loosens comedones
• Breaks up sebaceous matter
• Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines
• Reduces puffiness and edema
• Deep cleans the skin internally
• Helps to remove excess fluid from the skin

Vacuum Suction uses a suction mechanism through a fine glass attachment (ventouse). The therapist places her or his finger over a hole in the ventouse, which literally creates a vacuum when in contact with the skin. When using the device, take care to ensure only a light suction is produced to aid with drainage or loosening of blockages.

Vacuum Suction machines have multiple ventouse attachments, the most popular being the flat ventouse, which is ideal for Vacuum Suction routines on the whole face for sluggish skin. Another useful attachment is the small round ventouse. This is ideal for spot treating to help loosen congested areas around the nose, chin and other small areas.

Traditionally, a massage or cleansing medium can be used on the skin to provide slip and glide of the glass ventouse. Desincrustation solutions and water-soluble cleansing oils are ideal for oily, congested skins, while milky, creamy cleansers can be used for drier skins. Regardless of the area or product used, Vacuum Suction should always be used under steam to keep the skin and product moist.

Know your Client and your Electricity

Electric Brushes and Vacuum Suction machines tend to benefit oily, acneic and/or aging skin conditions. Be aware of any skin sensitivities the client may have and, as with all electrical modalities, use caution. Always refer to the consultation card and avoid harsh treatments on those who suffer from issues such as telangiectasia (dilated capillary walls), rosacea and grades 3 and 4 acne.

Electricity is a great add-on to any service. If you are concerned about using more advanced devices, allow Electric Brushes and Vacuum Suction to ease you into the more complicated machines, which you will find are not that difficult and offer great results that will have your client coming back for more treatments.

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