Mechanical facial cleansing vs ultrasonic: all the pros and cons

Since Maxima Clinique is not just cosmetology, but an aesthetic medicine clinic, we take a comprehensive look at appearance problems. In particular, we can essentially compare facial cleansing by a cosmetologist to professional oral hygiene. You don’t have to do it, but then over time plaque will definitely appear on your teeth. It’s the same with cleansing: if you neglect it, skin problems may arise: acne, increased sebum secretion, blackheads, dull complexion. Home care cannot provide deep cleansing of pores from city dust, makeup residues, and sebum, but a cosmetologist can do this.

There are many types of skin cleansing. The most common and effective of them are: mechanical (manual), ultrasonic, combined.

Cleaning steps:

1. The cosmetologist prepares the skin: removes surface impurities, performs light peeling, then applies a steaming gel or lotion that opens the pores.
2. Cleaning is carried out: by hand or with special tools. The process is not very pleasant and quite long, but it is the most effective. Upon completion, there are no blackheads left on the face, the pores are completely cleansed of dirt and sebum.
3. To soothe the skin and tighten the pores, the cosmetologist carries out an antiseptic treatment and applies a mask to the face. Redness and slight swelling may remain on the skin for 2-3 days after cleansing, so it is recommended to carry out the procedure before the weekend.

The main advantages of the method include: high efficiency, the ability to remove deep blackheads from hard-to-reach places (near the nose), and eliminate comedones.

The essence of mechanical cleaning

The procedure allows you to achieve deep cleansing, remove sebaceous plugs, and acne. Prescribed for problem, oily skin, thanks to a cosmetic session it is possible to get rid of blackheads and isolated inflammatory elements. The classic option is manual cleaning using tools such as a Uno spoon and a Vidal loop, which allows you to clear blackheads without damaging healthy areas of the skin. Mechanical cleaning with ultrasonic and galvanic cleaning is often carried out.

The use of hardware cosmetology helps to soften the keratinized epithelium for the smooth removal of inflammatory elements. The procedure is prescribed exclusively for oily, problematic, combination skin. The target patients are not only women, but also men who have a denser, porous dermis structure with active sebium synthesis.

Attention! Manual cleansing is effective during adolescence; deep cleansing helps to cope with acne and prevent the subsequent occurrence of inflammation.

Indications:

• acne, blackheads;
• comedones;
• excess synthesis of sebaceous secretion.

The main difference from other types of cleansing is the pain during the procedure. The deep impact and traumatic nature of the procedure are the main disadvantages. But a more effective method of combating inflammatory elements is difficult to find. Manual cleansing is not a panacea for oily, problem skin. This is one of the mandatory stages in restoring intracellular processes; correction of nutrition and lifestyle is also necessary to reduce sebium synthesis.

The cosmetologist prescribes home care, which includes about 5 items - cleansing gel, antiseptic lotion, moisturizer, as well as a mask and peeling. It is an integrated approach that will normalize intracellular processes and prevent the formation of inflammatory elements.

Stages of implementation:

1. The patient lies down on the couch and the make-up is removed using professional products.
2. A peeling composition or thermal mask is applied to loosen the keratinized epithelium and provide maximum deep cleansing.
3. Using a Uno spoon, a strainer, a needle and a Vidal loop, the cosmetologist removes comedones, single acne and blackheads. The experience and qualifications of the master play a decisive role; with strong pressure, side effects such as hematomas and scars are possible. After each removed element, the skin is wiped with a disinfectant solution, and the instrument is immersed in hydrogen peroxide.
4. The cosmetologist removes the most complex acne manually, working in sterile gloves.
5. To prevent tissue infection, the integument is treated with an antiseptic or liquid nitrogen.
6. A restorative mask is applied, soothing the tissue, preventing redness and swelling.
7. Sunscreen is used to prevent the formation of pigmentation.

The result can be assessed after the procedure and lasts for a month. To prolong the effect, it is recommended to choose home care for the skin, and also exclude from the menu fatty, salty, hot, spicy foods that stimulate sebium synthesis.

Advantages of mechanical cleaning:

• deep cleansing;
• normalization of intracellular processes;
• prevention of subsequent inflammation;
• the result can be assessed immediately after the session;
• there is no need for coursework.

Minuses:

• carried out only by an experienced cosmetologist with medical education;
• painful, traumatic procedure;
• the recovery period lasts about 10 days;
• there are risks of scarring and cicatricial formation;
• not suitable for dry, sensitive, irritated dermis.

Ultrasonic facial cleansing

The procedure is carried out using an ultrasonic device with a spatula-shaped tip. Thanks to the influence of high-frequency sound waves, dust, dead epithelial cells, and sebaceous plugs are effectively removed from the pores.

Features of the procedure:

• The method is low-traumatic; after such cleaning, there is no severe redness or swelling on the skin, so the procedure can be done before important events.
• Ultrasonic facial cleansing triggers metabolic processes in skin cells, due to which the face acquires a healthy complexion and increases elasticity.

The technique has contraindications: pregnancy, infectious skin diseases, postoperative period, cardiovascular diseases.

The essence of vacuum cleaning

The procedure is popular among those with oily problem skin with acne and inflammation. It can also be prescribed for men, in order to reduce the secretion of the sebaceous glands and restore smooth relief.

The hardware technique is often used by cosmetologists to remove single inflamed elements. They can also be used at home; the devices are easy to use and do not require special skills or professional knowledge. Thanks to negative pressure, it is possible to clear sebaceous plugs and comedones. The method is inferior in efficiency to mechanical cleaning and is often used in combination with manual removal of deep contaminants.

The set includes 3 types of attachments, which allows you to perform a whole range of aesthetic tasks. The coracoid is used to remove comedones and cleanse large pores. A flat, glass spatula is designed for thin eyelid skin, helps improve tone and reduce the number of wrinkles. Glass tubes are used when performing lymphatic drainage massage.

Important! The procedure is painless, takes only 10 minutes, and the effect can be assessed immediately after the session.

Indications:

• comedones, sebaceous plugs;
• increased secretion of glands;
• the first signs of aging;
• stressed skin;
• unhealthy tone;
• sagging, loss of elasticity.

Stages of implementation:

1. The cosmetologist performs make-up removal, carefully removing decorative cosmetics along with dust and sebium.
2. Vaporization allows you to soften dead cells as much as possible for the smooth removal of impurities. The master can treat the fabrics with steam or apply a thermal mask.
3. Then the vacuum treatment is performed directly, does not cause discomfort, lasts from 10 to 15 minutes.
4. A surface-acting acid exfoliant is used to remove remaining dead cells.
5. A restorative mask is applied, after which the cosmetologist uses a moisturizer selected according to your skin type.

Often combined with other types of cleansing, it is recommended to do it once a month.

Pros:

• the atraumatic procedure does not cause pain;
• Suitable for all skin types;
• various types of attachments allow for comprehensive facial care;
• the recovery period takes only a few days;
• Can be done at home.

Minuses:

• surface cleansing does not affect intracellular processes;
• no pronounced effect is observed;
• For deep comedones, additional manual cleaning is necessary.

Combined facial cleansing

This cleansing method is ideal for oily and combination skin. Cleaning is carried out in several stages:

• skin cleansing, preparation (peeling and steaming);
• manual cleansing of problem areas of the skin from comedones, blackheads, wen;
• ultrasonic cleansing of the entire surface of the facial skin;
• completion of the procedure: the cosmetologist performs an antiseptic treatment of the skin, applies a tightening pore and an anti-inflammatory mask.

The combination of two methods gives a particularly good result, even if you have not visited a cosmetologist for a long time.

We perform facial cleansing using French cosmeceuticals Simone MAHLER, which is highly effective, hypoallergenic, and suitable for sensitive skin. Sign up for a consultation right now and see for yourself.

Patient reviews

The user writes about the need for an individual approach, compares ultrasonic and mechanical cleaning, and writes about the traumatic nature of the latter.

A member writes about the benefits of combination cleansing. The combination of ultrasonic and mechanical allows you to achieve better results. The face is clean, fresh, there are no side effects such as redness and swelling.

A user writes about preferring mechanical cleaning to other types.

The participant is thinking about cleaning, but would rather choose mechanical than ultrasonic because of the greater effectiveness of manual action.

The user writes that for facial care he alternates between mechanical and ultrasonic cleansing, depending on the condition of the skin.

Indications for the procedure

The popular salon procedure is indicated for any age. Facial cleansing is performed both for preventive purposes to preserve youth, and to eliminate individual problems caused by various skin imperfections. Indications for professional peeling are the presence of the following problems.

• Enlarged pores.
• Comedones.
• Regular inflammation of pores.
• Presence of pimples, acne.
• Gray complexion.
• Reduced skin turgor.
• Peeling, including against the background of high oily skin.
• Presence of wen.

Salon cleaning methods

Deep cleansing of the skin in a beauty salon is carried out using the following methods:

• mechanical peelings;
• hardware peelings;
• chemical peels.

In some cases, a cosmetologist combines different types of peelings within one procedure in order to obtain the desired healing result and aesthetic effect.

Mechanical methods of professional facial cleansing include manual peeling (another name is manual peeling) and brushing (one of the hardware techniques), in which the pores are cleaned with the hands of a cosmetologist or with special rotating brushes.

Popular hardware methods of salon cleaning:

• ultrasonic;
• laser;
• vacuum;
• galvanic (galvanization, disincrustation).

The mechanism of action of all hardware peels is that the manipulator of one or another device acts on the skin. The top layer of skin scales is removed under the action of a laser beam, ultrasound, vacuum nozzle, and weak electric current.

Finally, the third method of deep facial cleansing is chemical (acid) peeling. The cosmetologist uses acidic compounds of plant origin in special highly concentrated gels and serums.

Almost all peeling options and cleaning methods, with the exception of ultrasonic and chemical peeling, are carried out after preliminary steaming. This is a mandatory preparatory stage, which solves several problems: it opens the pores, softens their contents, makes it easier to evacuate it, reduces pain and tissue injury, and prevents inflammation. In addition, steaming itself increases blood circulation and restores the normal function of sebum secretion after peeling.

Laser cleaning

Non-contact laser facial cleansing is non-traumatic and effective. The main condition for a successful procedure is the qualifications of the cosmetologist and experience with laser equipment. You need to select the beam parameters and then treat the skin.

It is important that before the peeling session you need to observe some restrictions. You cannot sunbathe, do aggressive, traumatic cosmetic procedures, steam your skin, or use cosmetics containing alcohols and oils.

Of all the existing facial cleansings, it is laser that gives a pronounced effect in the fight against oiliness and inflammation. A course of several laser peeling procedures allows you to get rid of acne, and most importantly, does not provoke the spread of the rash across the face. Exposure to a laser beam of a certain depth gives a rejuvenating effect: cellular metabolism improves, the face looks well-groomed.

Hardware cleaning methods in the cabin

The development of hardware cosmetology has expanded the capabilities of aesthetic specialists. Atraumatic facial cleansing has become possible, that is, superficial cleansing without breaking the skin barrier. This is a worthy alternative to manual cleansing, which has long been considered the only way to effectively clean pores.

Gentle methods of treatment are extremely relevant for those with sensitive skin, for whom aggressive methods of mechanical or chemical cleaning are contraindicated. The undoubted advantages of hardware cleaning are the simplicity of the procedure, the absence of discomfort and recovery period.

The patient only needs to choose one or another procedure. Each has its own advantages and limitations.

Galvanization (disincrustation)

The essence of the method is the use of low-frequency electric current to cleanse the skin. This peeling method is used as an independent procedure or in complex facial cleansing manually, with ultrasound, or with a vacuum nozzle. The current is generated by a galvanic apparatus and, through a special handpiece, affects the upper layer of the dermis.

The electric current is minimal, so no pain is guaranteed. However, even such a weak effect can soften the contents of sebaceous plugs and cleanse the pores. The cosmetologist will remove all the dirt with a cotton pad and soothe the skin with a special mask.

The galvanic method is indicated for clients with oily skin, increased secretion of the sebaceous glands. After the session, the skin calms down, oiliness becomes significantly less or completely disappears.