With some treatments, you get better results and a better deal upon buying the tool and doing it at home. However, if you are not a trained medical professional or a licensed esthetician, DIY tools can be really dangerous. However, there are safe, at-home treatments like microcurrents and dermaplanning comparable to professional treatments.
But first, let’s talk about questionable DIY tools like microdermabrasion and microneedling. These tools can cause infection, skin damage, and the worsening of scarring and pigmentation. Cassandra is shocked that some of these things are allowed to be sold over the counter because they often cause infection, damage, and scars. You can really hurt yourself with DIY microneedling, especially if you don’t know the basics of sanitation, infection control, and wound care.
However, there are a few treatments that Cassandra recommends for DIY or at-home use. Cassandra recommends microcurrents even though other estheticians have disapproved of this. Certain luxury spas and medi spas make a lot of money by upselling microcurrent treatments. Many medispas utilize Nuface, which is a microcurrent device, but did you know you can purchase a Nuface on your own?
Nuface has a small and large microcurrent tool, and Cassandra uses the little ones.
Nuface Mini Facial Toning Device -$209
What is a microcurrent facial?
Basically, microcurrents shoot electricity into the skin. They plump up the muscles in your skin, specifically your face. Microcurrents have a similar effect to that of going to the gym. When you lift weights to build muscle, and you are basically allowing blood circulation and different nutrients to disseminate within those muscles. Similarly, when you stimulate those muscles with microcurrents, you’re doing the same thing. You’re catalyzing a lot of blood flow, nutrients, and hydration within your face. Some people do face yoga to accomplish this, but face yoga results in more creasing of the skin and likewise wrinkles from repetitive movements of the skin.
Microcurrents create a lifted look without wrinkles. Microcurrents give you a lifted look because they stimulate muscles under the skin and cause them to contract.
Some people claim that microcurrents stimulate ATP in the skin and collagen information. Cassandra doesn’t know about that, but Cassandra has been using the Nuface since before the pandemic, and it has not steered her wrong. It has multiple settings, and it is the same device that the use in professional places.
How often do you have to do microcurrents?
When it comes to the pro microcurrent treatments versus the DIY ones, they both require consistency. You can do at-home microcurrent treatments 1-2 times a week. After treatment, you’ll see results for about four to six hours, but then, they start to fade. If you want long-lasting results from microcurrents, it may take 6-20 treatments.
As mentioned before, microcurrents are like going to the gym. You want to go every single day, and you have to keep it up long-term. It’s great before an event because it depuffs and assists with lymphatic drainage. It tightens and lifts, but it’s not going to be permanent. If you want those lasting results, you have to do it regularly. That’s why if you’re going to pay $80 - $150 for an in-clinic microcurrent facial, just buy the mini microcurrent because it works just as well as the large ones used in medispas. And actually, microcurrent tools like the Medicube are the roughly price as three professional facials.
MEDICUBE Age-R DERMA EMS Shot - $420
Medicube is made in Korea, and it’s an excellent microcurrent device, but it’s way more intense than the products available in America. In addition to the microcurrents of electricity it gives to the face, Cassandra uses the Medicube for her shoulders and neck. Cassandra has a lot of stress in her neck and shoulders, and its gripping action feels really nice. The Medicube comes with a massager, and it feels really good even though it does shock you a bit.
Is DIY dermaplanning safe?
As for dermaplanning, yes, dermaplanning can cause breakouts, but it is actually wonderful to do it yourself, especially if you’re looking for exfoliation and the elimination of peach fuzz.
People say dermaplanning causes breakouts for the following reasons. We have hairs that grow beneath the skin and protrude at the surface. And when we shave those off along with the top layers of dead skin cells, it’s a mild way to exfoliate and refresh the skin. Dermaplanning is basically like shaving for women. So, if you have an infection or you nick the skin, that can cause problems, but dermaplanning is basically like female face shaving. So, just like any blade, make sure it’s clean. Also, of you are acne prone, be aware that if you’re removing those hairs, which offers oil a channel to escape. And therefore, breakouts could happen. That's why Cassandra actually has a full dermaplaning skincare routine. She uses a face mask for anti-blemish and breakout prevention, and she has found that it works excellently for her.
In addition, sermaplanning can be especially helpful if you wear makeup because facial hair typically sticks to makeup.Moreover, dermaplanning can help skincare products like niacinamide from peeling up.
The Versed dermaplanner is Cassandra’s favorite. She used to use Dermaflash, but that was $150 and had replacement blades. The Versed blade is less expensive, gets that peach fuzz off nicely, and makes the skin baby smooth. The versed blade works well. It has 3 blades, and it is $20 which is much less expensive. You can get it at Target.
Versed Instant Gratification Dermaplanning Tool - $19.99
Dermaplanning LUXE Device - $199
Finally, if you're going to an aesthetic office and paying twice a month to get your peachfuzz removed, you can save time and money by doing it at home. The only thing is that you have to learn how to do it properly first. Cassandra wants to help people understand, embrace their skin, and save money, and she cannot consciously recommend that you spend tons of money in clinic or medi spa to get peach fuzz removed. It’s better to do it at home if you can keep up with it. Doing it at a spa and salon is good if you want to test it out. But, when it comes to the price of maintenance, why not learn to do it yourself?
On the other hand, things like chemical peels, microneedling, and other treatments you can mess up your dermis with should be left up to professions. Do not use a hyaluron pen, and do not inject things into yourself with a product built for medication delivery or diabetes. Let’s leave the botox and fillers to trained injectors!
Stay safe, butterflies, and reapply SPF when you use these tools!