Mechanical facial cleansing: what is the procedure

Ultrasound facial cleansing – effectiveness of the method, essence of the procedure, home use.
There are a large number of ultrasonic devices for cleaning at home on the market. Professionals do not recommend doing such a serious manipulation on your own. It is better to contact a specialized salon, so you will definitely be confident in the quality of the equipment.

It's time to forget about cleaning pores yourself using a mechanical method at home, no matter how correctly you try to do the procedure - there is a high probability of infection and inflammation. After such cleansing, acne may begin to appear with greater intensity.

What is the procedure

The procedure for manually cleaning the skin using special tools is called mechanical. This method was developed a long time ago, but remains one of the most effective.

The cosmetologist’s tools for such manipulation are:

• Uno spoon, made of medical steel with 2 sides, one of which has a kind of strainer with holes for deep cleansing of pores, and the second spatula, which allows you to easily squeeze out the contents of pimples;
• a double-sided Vidal needle, equipped on 1 side with the spatula described above, and on 2 sides with a sharp and thick needle intended for opening acne;
• a loop created specifically for cleansing enlarged pores clogged with sebaceous secretions.

Compared to other skin cleansing procedures, mechanical is considered the most effective.

Types of procedure

Next, the cosmetologist selects a specific type of treatment. At the moment, all skin cleansing procedures are grouped in two directions: manual (manual) and hardware.

Manual direction

It is carried out using the hands of a cosmetologist and simple auxiliary devices. Conventionally, it can be divided into three types of procedures:

• Classic hand cleaning. Ideal for combating acne and deep-seated impurities in the pores. It is carried out by applying finger pressure to problem areas. It is traumatic and, if safety precautions are violated, is often accompanied by complications.
• Mechanical cleaning. It is an improved version of manual action. It has similar indications, but is carried out not only with the fingers, but also with the help of special devices. The most popular among them are the Una spoon and the Vidal needle, the first is necessary for cleansing pores, the second for piercing pimples.
• Brossage. The most delicate method of all manual techniques. It is carried out using brushes and scrapers made of various materials. Such auxiliary devices cleanse the skin of surface impurities, help get rid of blackheads and remove dead cells.

manual mechanical cheat

Hardware direction

It is carried out using special high-tech devices that allow you to achieve positive results with minimal trauma to the skin. This direction is presented by the following methods:

• Ultrasonic cleaning. It involves cleansing the skin through ultrasonic vibrations, which “knock out” impurities from the pores, destroy dead cells accumulated on the surface and massage soft tissues, enhancing the regeneration of their cells.
• Vacuum cleaning. It involves drawing out impurities from pores using a vacuum. It also stimulates blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces swelling and fluid stagnation in soft tissues.
• Galvanic cleaning. It involves the effect of electric current on contaminants embedded in the pores. Once on the surface of the skin, they enter into a chemical reaction with previously applied alkaline solutions, and dissolve sebaceous plugs with blackheads.

Ultrasonic cleaning

If necessary, manual and hardware techniques can be combined to obtain maximum effect. In addition, they are often combined with other cosmetic procedures, peelings, masks, and cryotherapy. The latter often refers to one of the directions and cleaning and is carried out using cooled liquid nitrogen. It is applied to cotton swabs used to treat the face. Short-term cooling stimulates internal processes and stops inflammation, due to which the number of pimples and blackheads is significantly reduced.

A distinction should be made between cleansing and peeling; these procedures can be carried out in one session, but are by no means the same thing. So, in the first case, the goal of the cosmetologist’s work is to eliminate acne and impurities, and in the second, to remove dead cells and launch the natural processes of skin regeneration. Methods can also be distinguished by the method of implementation:

• Peeling: chemical, laser, ultrasonic, mechanical (skin resurfacing).
• Cleaning: manual, mechanical (using tools), vacuum, ultrasonic, galvanic.

What are the advantages of the technique

Manual cleansing helps to quickly bring impurities to the skin, completely get rid of acne and comedones, regardless of the depth of their location, eliminate sebaceous plugs, obtaining:

• healthy and uniform complexion;
• cleansed and narrowed pores;
• increased elasticity of the epidermis;
• skin without inflammation and unsightly seals.

This manipulation is aggressive and causes unpleasant, even painful sensations in patients. Hyperemia (redness) of the skin after such cleansing remains for quite a long time.

Indications for facial cleansing

It is not difficult to understand that your skin requires professional cleaning. This is eloquently evidenced by changes in her condition and appearance.

Indications for facial cleansing by a cosmetologist:

• acne;
• black dots;
• enlarged pores;
• pronounced oily sheen;
• dull, uneven complexion;
• general deterioration of skin tone.

Regular facial cleansing is necessary not only for problematic skin, but also for normal skin without pronounced defects, since it allows it to maintain a healthy appearance and not lose its attractiveness.

When the procedure is not recommended

Absolute contraindications to performing the manipulation are:

• high blood pressure;
• chronic inflammatory processes on the skin;
• rosacea (network of blood vessels on the face);
• demodicosis (subcutaneous mite);
• blood diseases;
• bronchial asthma.

Relative contraindications include:

• period of the menstrual cycle;
• dry, thin and overly sensitive type of epidermis.

Mechanical facial cleansing can be combined with an ultrasonic technique, which allows for a gentle cleansing of the skin. Using a special device, the cosmetologist first removes the stratum corneum, and then uses a tool to open the pimples. This type of manipulation is referred to as surface cleaning.

Together with ultrasonic peeling, mechanical facial cleansing will be much more effective.

Contraindications

Any good cosmetologist will definitely clarify possible contraindications to the procedure, and if they exist, he will dissuade the patient from cleaning or offer a suitable alternative. This behavior is the main guarantee of safety and prevention of complications. Regardless of the type of cleaning, the procedure is prohibited in the following cases:

• Hypersensitivity of the skin.
• Presence of purulent formations.
• Active stage of inflammatory processes.
• Active stage of dermatological diseases (herpes, psoriasis, etc.).
• Hypertension.
• Cuperosis.
• Asthma.
• Epilepsy.

In addition to the general ones, there are also specific contraindications specific to each technique specifically. Thus, hardware types of cleanings are not practiced during pregnancy, in the presence of implants or non-absorbable threads for bioreinforcement in the soft tissues of the face, and in some cases, in the presence of metal pins in the teeth, braces, and pacemakers.

Performing the technique in a cosmetology salon

The main point is to choose a professional and competent cosmetologist who is guaranteed to comply with sterility conditions.

Initially, the specialist conducts a consultation with the patient, examines his skin and sets a date for the procedure, having previously familiarized the client with all contraindications.

The manipulation itself takes place in several stages:

1. Depending on the type of epidermis, it is cleansed using foams, gels, scrubs or gommage to remove dust, dirt, and cosmetic residues;
2. involves mandatory steaming of the face using a professional device - a vaporizer, which acts on the skin surface with jets of steam in order to maximize the opening of the pores. You can do steaming using special cosmetic masks, creams or thermal lotions that have the desired effect;
3. consists of directly cleaning the skin using sterile instruments and a sterile bandage, which the cosmetologist wraps around his fingertips. This manipulation must be performed within 20 minutes, otherwise the pores of the epidermis will then close and cleaning will not have the desired effect. If there are a lot of rashes on the client’s face, another steaming of the skin may be necessary. In this case, the places where contaminants exit the pores are treated with special antiseptic or alcohol solutions in order to prevent skin infection;
4. consists of applying a mask to the skin of the face with a soothing, pore-tightening and healing effect. In some cases, the cosmetologist subjects the patient’s skin to darsonvalization to disinfect it and speed up its recovery.

Immediately after the session, it is recommended to stay in the salon for about half an hour so that the skin calms down a little, the pores close, and the risk of infection is minimized.

Steaming

To successfully cleanse your face at home, you need a steam bath to open the pores. To prepare it you need one or two liters of herbal infusion or boiling water. Bend over the container and cover your head with a towel so that the resulting steam does not escape. For oily skin, a ten-minute steam bath is enough; for dry or normal skin, 5 to 7 minutes.

There is another way to steam the skin: place several layers of gauze soaked in hot water on your face, and wrap your head in a towel to maintain the temperature. Do not take off for eight or ten minutes.

We remind you that people with respiratory diseases are not recommended to breathe steam.

How to care for your skin after manipulation

It is considered normal when the epidermis after mechanical cleaning looks inflamed, reddened, swollen, and begins to peel off. These consequences should go away within 2-3 days, so it is recommended to plan the manipulation on Friday - before the weekend, so that the skin has time to recover before going to work.

A prerequisite for rapid healing of the skin surface is proper and regular care, which the cosmetologist himself must familiarize his patient with.

We will tell you the basic information related to the generally accepted rules:

• for 12 hours after the procedure, it is forbidden to wash your face with water, touch your face with your hands and use decorative cosmetics;
• During the week after cleaning, it is not recommended to visit the pool, sauna, solarium, gym, beach, or be in direct sunlight. During this period, you should follow all the cosmetologist’s instructions and make special homemade masks with a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect and promote skin healing;
• until the epidermis is completely restored, scrubs, peelings and even soft gommages should not be used, so as not to further injure it and not to delay the regeneration process;
• If there is peeling and itching of the skin, you should not interfere, remove the crusts that form on your own, or scratch your face. Epidermal cells must renew themselves without your participation;
• In the event of severe inflammatory reactions or suppuration of the skin, you should immediately contact a dermatologist, who will prescribe comprehensive drug treatment to stop the development of the infection. Such a side effect is possible if the specialist who carried out the cleaning did not disinfect hands, sterilize instruments or antibacterial treatment of the patient’s epidermis after opening the infiltrates.

How to perform manual skin cleansing at home

Anyone can perform this technique independently, but it is necessary to adhere to the correct sequence of the procedure and comply with the disinfection conditions.

You will need to purchase a special instrument (Uno spoon or Vidal needle), sold in specialized stores or pharmacies, a solution of hydrogen peroxide or medical alcohol, a sterile bandage, a large mirror, and medicinal herbs.

This manipulation should not be done if there are scratches, wounds, cuts, ulcers and severe inflammation on the skin of the face. Wait until they are completely healed and only then proceed with the procedure.

The technique for performing it is similar to the salon one and involves:

• Mandatory cleansing of the skin from any impurities and cosmetics. You can use a ready-made scrub or make it yourself from finely ground coffee beans;
• Next, you will need to steam your face over hot infusions of chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort, mint or eucalyptus herbs, which are poured into a bowl and leaned over it (not too low), covering your head with a terry towel. The duration of such steaming should be a quarter of an hour so that the pores have time to fully open;
• then you need to wipe the skin with a cotton pad soaked in hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, disinfect your hands, wrap dry fingers with a sterile bandage, treat the instrument chosen for cleaning with an antiseptic and begin cleaning the pores, re-treating the skin after opening each pimple or comedon and sitting in front of a large, well-lit mirror.

If you clean your skin with your fingers rather than with a tool, do it with pads rather than nails to prevent damage to the epidermis!