In the aesthetic field, growing the way it is, certain facial treatments are getting attention for being trendy and popular. When it comes to skincare treatments the number one concern should always be sanitation. Many trendy skincare treatments today challenge sanitation concerns. In this week’s blog we are going to cover these skincare treatments and bring awareness to the sanitation problems they give rise to. We will also introduce alternative treatments provided here at Lea Advanced Skincare where we take the utmost care in treating skin. The top three skincare treatments that we are most concerned about are micro needling, dermaplaning and laser treatments.

Micro Needling is the process of ablating skin with tiny needles so that the skin produces more collagen. Originally these modalities were considered in-office devices to be used by doctors only, but they were later designed with shorter needles so that aestheticians and nurses could use them. After that, micro needling underwent another evolution where the needles became so short that even patients could buy devices for home use. After much research and training in regards to the procedure and testimony from some of our patients we must say it is just not worth it. The risks are very high and the device is not even fully FDA approved (click link to learn more: http://owndoc.com/dermarolling/dermapen-and-dermarollers-are-not-fda-approved/). They raise a ton of sanitation concerns because they completely puncture skin, but there is no way to tell if the devices are truly clean. Although many in office devices have removable heads that can be changed between patients, these devices still have high risk of cross contamination. Many of the modalities are not designed to sit in barbicide (a sterilization solution) or even in an autoclave (a machine found in medical offices designed to disinfect/sterilize medical devices that have touched blood). So besides cleaning with alcohol there is really no other way to disinfect them, which is insufficient. This makes them high risk for spreading blood borne pathogens and other blood related infections.

Another trendy skin care treatment that we at Lea Advanced Skincare find to be receiving attention for little reason is dermaplaning. Dermaplaning is the process by which superficial hairs and dead skin cells are removed with a blade. Spoiler Alert ladies and gentlemen, this is basically shaving! You will get the same results and the same feel if you go home and shave your face with your everyday, average razor blade! When this procedure is performed by an aesthetician there is also the possibility of getting nicked! The scalpel used for dermaplaning does not have a safety device like your razors at home do, making it fairly hard to prevent nicking. Although it results in a very superficial cut, like a paper cut, if treated incorrectly an infection or scarring can occur. Aside from exfoliation and the removal of vellus (peach fuzz) hair, there really are not that many benefits. Of course exfoliating is important, but there are much better modalities to exfoliate with and which promote other benefits as well. For example, microdermabrasion is a great alternative to dermaplaning because it does a lot more than simply remove dead skin cells.

As far as the above mentioned procedures go, even though we do not necessarily believe in them, if you desire to try them out, please make sure the doctor, nurse or aesthetician you are going to see is someone you trust, who will not only conduct the treatment safely and sanitarily, but will also treat your skin with integrity.

The last trend, and this time rightly so, are certain laser procedures. However, if conducted incorrectly lasers can ruin your skin permanently. In many cases it is often better to receive a properly executed chemical peel rather than a laser treatment by an under qualified skin care specialist. Here at Lea Advanced Skincare we can assure you that your skin will always be taken care of with the utmost sanitation defenses and integrity. If you have a skin concern we have a facial treatment to cure it! And if you ever have a question about types of procedures, we have answers!