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Posted: 10:36 AM Nov 4, 2006
Facing It
Battling the lines of time If acne or wrinkles have you rattled, check out vibration therapy. The company behind it promises a boot camp for your complexion.
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If acne or wrinkles have you rattled, check out vibration therapy. The company behind it promises a boot camp for your complexion.
Forty-eight-year-old Joyce Slocum is a busy lawyer with little time for fussy skin.
She says, "I’m one of those people that, you know, has to deal with gray hair and acne at the same time, very unfair.”
She tried Microdermabrasion but found the crystals used to resurface the skin too harsh. So, her doctor suggested thatshe sign up for facial boot camp.
Dr. Charles Wallace says, "You sign up for about a month of that and really dedicate a month to really try and take care of your facial skin. You will absolutely see exponential results.”
Boot camp begins with Vibradermabrasion. A stainless steel vibrating paddle stimulates collagen as it gently exfoliates the skin.
Dr. Wallace says, "It actually feels good on the skin. So, it’s mechanically removing those outer layers.”
After 15 minutes, the skin is ready for the superinfusion of vitamins, antioxidants and sunscreen. The Vibraderm Company says its boot camp products are designed with a special delivery system to enhance absorption.
Dr. Wallace says, "The vibration that takes place, it alters skin’s porosity in a way that additionally contributes to getting those active molecules into the deeper layers of the dermis where they can do what they’re intended to do.”
Specific creams target specific problems.
"We're talking about fine lines, sun damage, rosacea, chronic inflammation," the doctor says.
Joyce Slocum completed the five sessions and likes what she sees.
“It’s really been rewarding to kind of see skin come along," she says.
The Vibraderm boot camp costs $1,000 to $2,000. It includes five sessions, the Seda product line and your personal paddles. Clients are to use the products daily between the weekly sessions.
Fast Facts:
Aging Skin
The skin gives shape to the body and protects the underlying tissues and organs. It also serves as a protective barrier to germs and helps regulate the body’s temperature.
As we age, supporting structures in the skin undergo changes. Production of collagen, the substance that provides firmness to the skin, decreases. There are fewer elastic fibers in the skin. And those that remain may start to thicken and lose their ability to maintain the skin’s ability to retain shape. The skin may appear to sag. Tiny lines and wrinkles can develop, especially around the outer corners of the eyes and lips. The production of sebum (oil) decreases, causing the skin to dry.
The earliest signs of aging can sometimes be seen in people as young as their late twenties. Genetics play a big role in the rate of skin aging. Some people look much older than their peers, while others are lucky to retain youthful looks well into middle adulthood and beyond. Excessive exposure to the sun and cigarette smoking can speed the rate of skin aging.
Cosmetic Skin Treatments: Microdermabrasion
There are many different cosmetic procedures that can be used to erase some of the signs of aging. One popular treatment is microdermabrasion. Doctors use a hand-held device to spray a fine blast of tiny crystals. It’s like mild sand-blasting for the skin. The crystals and abraded dead skin cells are then suctioned into a vacuum. The procedure rejuvenates the skin by stimulating the production of new, healthy looking skin cells and collagen.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, microdermabrasion is the fourth most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the U.S. About 1,023,930 procedures were done in 2005.
Microdermabrasion is good for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, some types of pigmentation problems, age spots, and some acne scars. A single treatment takes about 30 minutes to an hour. The effect is only temporary and patients may need several treatments and periodic follow-ups.
Vibraderm
Another type of treatment is called Vibraderm. The treatment uses special abrasive paddles against the skin and low frequency vibration to mechanically abrade the top outer layers of the skin. Plastic surgeon, Charles Wallace, M.D., says Vibraderm is like having five to six microdermabrasion treatments all at once. The low frequency vibration is gentle to the skin and patients feel no pain. It can be used on the face or other areas of the body. Depending upon the needs of the patient, a single treatment can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes.
Vibraderm temporarily opens the pores. Wallace uses another paddle and special skin care products developed for use with the Vibraderm system (the product line is called Seda Skin Care). The products are designed through a process called oxo delivery, which uses a man-made molecule to electronically deliver active ingredients, like vitamins, antioxidants and sunscreen, deep into the skin.
Vibraderm is recommended for treatment of many different kinds of skin problems, from wrinkles and fine lines to drying skin, rosacea, inflammation, pigmentation problems and acne. Patients can often see some results after the first treatment. However, for the most effective treatment, Wallace recommends what he calls the “boot camp” approach. After the initial treatment, patients take home a packet of products to use for five to six days. Then another in-office treatment is given. The process is repeated with at-home skin care and weekly office visits for 30 days. Patients should stay on some type of maintenance plan to keep the effects.
The cost of the 30-day boot camp will vary, depending upon the needs of the patient. Wallace estimates most patients will pay about $1,000 to $2,000. The cost includes a personal kit of paddles (good for 6 to 10 treatments), five in-office visits and home care products for 30 days.
Vibraderm works for patients with most skin types. It is not recommended for patients with severe acne scars, those who are very old, patients with sunburn or patients with extensive areas of skin discoloration. Patients with skin disorders or extremely sensitive skin should speak with their provider before starting treatment.
Web Resources
For information about Vibraderm, check out the company’s Web site.
Information is also available from the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery™ Web site
For general information on facial cosmetic procedures:
For information about aging skin or other skin conditions:
