High speed vibrating face brush--works great!

Mike · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 121

I recently read a medical article about different ways to cleanse the face. Wash cloths were not a good idea due to the abrasive qualities and due to the fact that they tend to grow a lot of bacteria unless you launder them after every use. The article talked about an electric high speed brush with very soft bristles that are made out of some non porous material that won't grown any bacteria. It was kind of pricey, but it seemed like a good idea, so I bought one. I am pretty impressed with it! After I apply the washes that I like to use, I apply the brush for 2 minutes (the brush has a built in timer, and it is water proof, so I just use it in the shower). My skin has never been better! I have had problems with acne for years. Since I started using the brush with my regular products, I have quit using my acne medication. Has anybody else ever tried one of these high speed ultrasonic face brushes?
Mike

drtodorov · Site Admin Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Posts: 3177

Interesting. This would be a form of mild microdermabrasion, I suppose.

Mike · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 121

I have had dermabrasion in the past a few times, but it was not very pleasant and my face stay mildly inflamed for a about 24 hours. With this brush, I don't get any redness at all...it actually is quite pleasant. I think it is supposed to work the same way that hi speed (ultrasonic) tooth brushes work, just bigger so that it can be used on a face. Since there are no consumables, I don't have to buy anything else to keep using it. I think it must be enhancing the effect of the actives that I am applying, perhaps by mechanically disrupting the stratun corneum. With dermabrasion, I would have to get "sand blasted" first, and then apply the active. With this brush the active is on the skin at the same time that the stratum corneum is getting disrupted. I don' think there are any studies about enhancing an active in this fashion (I did a google seach and did not find anything) but it seems to work quite well and would be easy for the DIY folks to try.
Mike

drtodorov · Site Admin Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Posts: 3177

So, do you apply cream with actives just before you use the brush, or do you apply cleanser, or have cleanser mixed with actives? Also, is this a purely mechanical brush or does it generate ultrasound as well?

Mike · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 121

In my case, I wet my face with plain water, and then I apply a cleanser with the acitves to my face with my bare hands. I then turn on the device which has a 1.5" round soft brush. The brush does not spin, but instead it oscillates back and forth at a very high speed, so fast that it looks blurry. (I put a strobe on it and it looks like it moves about 20 degrees back and forth). Pushing the button also starts an audio timer. I move the oscillating brush all over my face until the timer shuts the brush off. Then I rinse off my face, and the brush. I can actually use the brush on the skin around my eyes without causing any irritation. So far, I am pretty impressed.
Mike

drtodorov · Site Admin Joined: 10 Dec 2004 Posts: 3177

It is possible that oscillations create some amount of ultrasound, which is known to increase diffusion and aid absorption. Does the vendor say anything regarding ultrasound? In any case, could you post the name of the device and/or manufacturer?

Dfontaine · Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 71

jamesherried · Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 784

jamesherried · Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 784

orangehrzn · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 1005

I am pretty suspicious to anything that claims 'reduction of pore size' since even ablative lasers can't do that.

jamesherried · Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 784

orangehrzn · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 1005

As I expected the reviews on makeupalley.com divided in the typical eggagerating group and the more objective 'dont expect thrills' reviews. Yes I guess it does some exfoliation just like washcloth or face scrub but many commented it doesn't really shrink pores or erase wrinkles.

jamesherried · Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 784

Whatever it does or doesn't do, I just posted that because Dr. Todorov asked for the name of the company and the product that Mike mentioned he liked, and since Mike never posted that info, I posted some info regarding that topic.

spirit23 · Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 1

Hi im new here, and I just wanna say that dermabrasion is a pretty tough technique to go through especially when now-a-days you can just take a microdermabrasion workup instead...and home systems can be bought for as little as $40... just my 2 cents!

George · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 46 Location: Gainesville, VA

We just added the clarisonic brush to our web site after we had a couple clients tell us about it.

It is not a miracle cure and I have not seen anything in regards to pore size. But it does seem to provide exfoliation that many are looking for and seems to help clear pesky blackheads.

As with any manual exfoliation - we advice caution in the frequency and duration of use. Try it once or twice a week and see how it goes.

Based on the feeback we have received, this seems to be a viable alternative other weekly or semi-regular supplemental exfoliants. Over time, it's cheaper too. :)