emits 615nm red light. Unlike more powerful laser and IpL treatments there is no pain associated with the delivery of the LEd light to the skin. The del Sol™ blue light handpiece emits 420nm blue light. propionibacterium acnes or p.acnes bacteria is known as the cause of acne and porphryin which is a compound generated by p.acnes is photosensitive and has been proven to react to the wavelength of 405-440nm (blue) light, which leads to the destruction of the bacteria. The combination of Hydrafacial™ as a pre-treatment to the blue LEd light means that dead skin and debris is removed first so that the blue light is better targeted at the acne prone skin layers beneath. Treatment sessions usually take approximately 30 minutes, with most people returning to work or normal activities immediately after treatment with only slight redness to the skin and a possible tight feeling, which should resolve in less than one to two hours. Treatments using the peel products may prolong any redness however.
Other Options Although the Hydrafacial™ systems are becoming the most widely known and heavily marketed devices within the hydradermabrasion arena. There are some other systems available which also use the concept of high pressure fluids to exfoliate or hydrate the skin as part of an abrasion treatment. Jetpeel™-3 from Israeli company TavTech Ltd and distributed in the UK by Cross medical Ltd is also a hydradermabrasion device, in that it uses a pneumatically applied liquid to exfoliate the skin; however the company manufacturing it have chosen a name to market it aligned with a peeling process rather than a microdermabrasion process. Some clinics offering treatment with this device are however choosing to use the term ‘hydrodermabrasion’ to emphasise the use of water, rather than the implied peeling products. Each Jetpeel™ treatment effectively ‘pressure washes’ the skin using microdroplets of water (saline) and pressurised oxygen or air, delivered at supersonic speed – up to 200m/sec. When the jet stream of droplets strikes the skin the kinetic energy of the droplets causes an exfoliation effect. It is claimed that this gentle cleansing unclogs pores and removes any dead skin cells and debris that has built-up on the skin. Unlike other systems, this device doesn’t use any kind of vaccum system to remove the resulting waste. The saline can be combined with other topical products containing vitamins and supplements such as hyaluronic acid designed to address different skin conditions, which are said to penetrate better in combination with the superficial exfoliation achieved and barometrically pressure environment caused by the pressurised gas upon the skin.
Clinical Results A number of clinical trials into the use of hydradermabrasion and the associated application of antioxidant serums, both as a stand-alone treatment and in conjunction with other non-surgical skin rejuvenation procedures, such as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), have been carried out by influential American physicians Dr Patrick Bitter and Dr Bruce Freedman. a study by dr freedman involved 20 volunteers being split into two groups, one group had six hydradermabrasion treatments using the mechanically applied antioxidant serum, spaced seven to 10 days apart, and the other group simply had the serum applied manually, again for six treatments spaced seven to 10 days apart. Results gathered two weeks after the final treatment showed that the group treated with hydradermabrasion demonstrated increased thickness in the epidermal and papillary dermal skin layers, with the deposition of new collagen fibres and increased levels of antioxidants in the skin. fine lines, pore size and hyperpigmentation were also decreased following treatment. The other group showed no change in skin structure, clinical attributes (such as wrinkling, hyperpigmentation etc.) or antioxidant levels. It was therefore concluded the Hydrafacial™ treatment effectively improved skin quality and increased the antioxidant levels present in the skin, whilst the lack of an abrasion element and a manual application of antioxidants did not result in detectable skin changes. If we are to criticise this study in any way, it would be to note that a third group was not established who were treated with traditional microdermabrasion and topical antioxidant application, so as to establish the exact effect of the differing types of skin abrasion (wet versus dry) and the subsequent take up of the serums by the skin. In a study by dr Bitter, presented at the aSLmS conference in 2009, he looked at how hydradermabrasion worked in conjunction with IpL on facial skin. Two groups of patients were treated with either a series of IpL treatments alone or a combination of IpL and hydradermabrasion. In the combination group, results showed that fine lines, texture, pore size and overall skin appearance were improved. This study showed that hydradermabrasion appeared to enhance the effects of the IpL, which was due to the antioxidant infusion which is part of the Hydrafacial™ treatment’s uniqueness.
although, like the Hydrafacial™ system the accelafuze™ targets the mechanical application of topical products and the use of LEd light, the use of traditional crystal based microdermabrasion means that this device cannot truly be classed as a hydradermabrasion option as it still relies on the use of dry crystals for the exfoliation element.
In conclusion The manufacturers consider that not only is the return on investment (ROI) significantly higher than compared to other devices such as lasers, given the reduced capital costs, but that it is also common for Hydrafacial™ treatments to become one of the most requested treatments within a clinic. With the low cost of consumables, up to £12, aligned with a relatively low capital asset investment and treatments able to be performed by aesthetic therapists and nurses, the profit margins at £100+ per treatment are pretty attractive. marketed as a long term treatment programme for maintaining healthy, glowing skin with improved appearance in wrinkles, sun damage and acne or as a one-off, special occasion treatment for weddings etc. this treatment, which is less invasive than the mainstay of microdermabrasion, could indeed become more popular in the future as clients demand the minimum of downtime along with quick and relatively inexpensive treatments.
Before hydradermabrasion
Fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation are less visible; skin texture is more refined. Images courtesy of Edge Systems/Skin Brands Ltd.
US company Genesis Biosystems, a long standing producer of microdermabrasion machines, launched the accelafuze™ in 2008; (distributed in the UK by Eden aesthetics). The device combines traditional microdermabrasion using crystals followed by a rapid ‘dermalinfusion’ of various topical solutions such as a glycolic acid based cleanser, moisturising, lightening and peptide replacement serums and a lactic acid based peel with LEd treatment options using red, blue and yellow light.
Before hydradermabrasion
Fine lines and nasolabial folds are less visible; skin texture is more refined and redness is decreased.
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