Archives

Aesthetics, Uncategorized

Microdermabrasion: Choice is Good!

2019-03-13

Microdermabrasion is a mechanical exfoliation procedure that removes part of the horny layer of the skin. Its goal is to make the skin softer, smoother and more even, while stimulating it. But what does a microdermabrasion treatment look like, exactly? The answer will vary according to the type of device used.

Two distinct procedures

For more than 20 years, the default method has been to launch corundum crystals at high speed with a specialized stylus. Used crystals as well as dead skin cells, dirt and other impurities are simultaneously suctioned off thanks to an integrated vaccum system. Microcrystal-based microdermabrasion is a tried-and-true method: efficient, comfortable and flexible. Then why is it that we see it being slowly replaced by the new diamond-tip devices?

This question requires a nuanced answer. There are things about which this new technology is a definite improvement. For starters, diamond-tip microdermabrasion devices such as Dectro’s own Sophy Diamond allow for direct contact between the abrasive surfaces and the skin. Because no volatile particles are involved, it is now possible to safely treat zones closer to the eyes and mouth. Diamond-tipped dermabrasion is also an easy technology for professionals to deal with. It is also more economical in the long run, since one does not need to keep buying crystals to continue operating the device. That being said, the end-piece still needs to be cleaned and sterilized after each use. As for those who claim that diamond-tip dermabrasion treatments allow for more comfortable treatments, this we leave for the individual to decide.

Why choose when we can enjoy both?

We hope you’ll draw from this cursory discussion that the traditional microcrystal treatment method is by no means obsolete. One could even agree that it is preferable in some cases. Indeed, microcrystals can be a more efficient way to deal with highly irregular surfaces, as a stream of particles is by nature better suited to conform itself to the uneven features of the skin. This treatment method also offers more power output in order to deal with deeper-set lesions. Last but not least, because corundum is inert matter, it is not subject to contamination. There also is no need to clean and sterilize the end piece, as it is designed to be single-use only.

Therefore, if both methods have their utility, why choose one over the other? That very idea was the driving force behind development of the VitaPeel at Dectro. Thanks to this device, one is able to seamlessly transition from one technique to the other in order to use the strength of each, according to circumstance.

One is a good thing, but two it definitely better!

Here are two videos showing you both treatment options in action. The first one using the diamond tip technique:

 

And here is corundum crystal technique. Notice the eye protection.

 

Electrolysis, News

First Electrolysis Symposium in Russia !

2019-02-25

On January 27th and 28th, the first Modern Electrolysis Symposium was held at the Azimut-Smolenskaya Hotel in Moscow, Russia. And what a resounding success it was! The event was organized by our distributors in Russia and Ukraine, Epil-Pro Academy, and drew nearly a hundred participants from the region and beyond. Internationally renowned electrologists were also among the headline speakers, such as Mrs Janice Brown of House of Famuir in England, Mrs Maria Karabournioti of Beauté Marine in Greece and Mrs Daryna Blintsova of Epil-Pro in Russia. Браво (bravo) to the symposium’s organisers, speakers and participants!

Cosmetic Products, Uncategorized

Essential Oils and Massage Therapy

2019-02-14

Essential oils can be used in a great variety of beauty and well-being applications: added to bath water, incorporated in beauty masks, diffused or inhaled… But let’s not forget massages, which certainly rank among the most pleasing ways to benefit from the manifold virtues of essential oils, whether you are on the giving end or receiving end of one.

One should not apply essential oils directly on the skin, but rather dilute it in a neutral oil. For this, we recommend our new Silka dry oil, which is uniquely suited for the task. Being a dry oil, it is absorbed quickly by the skin and does not stain. This means you do not have to worry as you slink into your favorite pyjama after having been thus pampered.

Note that it is crucial that treatment contraindications be taken into account before going forward with any kind of treatment involving essential oils.

For a body massage, add 6-9 drops of essential oils to 15ml of Silka dry oil, depending on the desired effect.

  • Relaxing massage: WA (orange, marjoram, lavender). For even better results, perform massage following a relaxing bath right before bedtime.
  • Decongestant massage: LIB (fir, white cedar, eucalyptus). A great way to prevent or fight cold symptoms!
  • Purifying face massage: Ô (lemon, bergamot and bitter orange). Brightens complexion and clears up the skin (for a face massage, reduce essential oil doe to 2-3 drops).
  • Stimulating massage: UP (rosemary, cinnamon, lemongrass). Naughty tip: this is an excellent way to conclude a lovely evening…
Cosmetic Products, Electrolysis, Uncategorized

Ingrown hairs – What They Are, and How to Get Rid of Them

2019-01-17

Ingrown hairs are one of life’s small, but persistent annoyances which we would gladly do without. But to go about this, one would have to first know what we are dealing with. For knowing is half the battle, right?

So hair becomes “ingrown” when it bends and grows back inside the skin instead of piercing it. Redness can appear on the surface and then a rash, often accompanied with discomfort, or even pain.

How to prevent ingrown hairs?

Anybody with hair on their body will experience is subject to ingrown, renegade hairs.  That being said, those with thicker skins or more abundant hair growth are particularly at risk. In that sense, skin that is regularly exfoliated (say, once a week), either with an exfoliating glove or cream is less prone to developing ingrown hairs. Indeed, dead cells that accumulate at the surface of the epidermis act as a barrier, preventing hair from getting through.

Ingrown hairs can appear on any part of the body where hairs do grow. That being said, they appear more frequently on zones which are subject to repeated shaving, and even more when improper technique is used. Here are a few guidelines:

  • Switch to single blade or safety razors. Multi-blade razors cut the hair below the skin, which may disrupt normal growth
  • Wet the skin and apply shaving cream prior to shaving
  • Make sure you do as few passes as possible with your blade as possible in order to prevent bending the hairs towards the surface of the skin
  • Never shave against the grain (against the hair growth)

No hair, no problem!

Ditching the razor, then, goes a long way towards preventing the appearance of ingrown hairs on your body.  In that case, alternatives have to be found. Waxing is a fine solution, but then, so is a more permanent solution like electrolysis, which has the obvious benefit of freeing you totally from the issueof ingrown hairs. No hair, no problem!

Aesthetics, Electrolysis, Uncategorized

What Greek Mythology (!) Can Teach Us About Hair Removal

2018-12-21

Hair Removal and Sisyphus’s Rock

Do you know the Greek myth of Sisyphus? After a life spent cheating the gods of Olympus, Sisyphus is sentenced to eternally haul a heavy rock up a mountain. Yet once he reaches the top, the rock always tumbles down the other side, forcing the hapless hero to start the journey all over again, and again, and again. Think Groundhog Day, minus the laughs.

And What Does Hair Removal Have to Do With This?

Bear with me. I’m sure you’ll see from the aforementioned story how this brings me naturally to think about our personal grooming habits. While there certainly are some rituals we look forward to (I personally can’t go without my morning shower), most are simply thankless chores. Do you know of anybody who relishes in shaving their legs or armpits? Neither can I.

Nowadays, thanks to the leaps and bounds by which epilation-related technologies have evolved, there simply is no proper reason to stick with highly inefficient temporary solutions. Indeed, modern computer assisted hair removal allows for the precise targeting of the hair’s growth cells to destroy them without affecting the skin.

Permanent Hair Removal: Economical as Well as Ecological

A permanent solution does not only prevent you from wasting your time, but it also makes economic sense. A Chinese proverb says: “buy the best and you only cry once”. To which, Arab wisdom adds that “the poor man pays twofold”. Sure, your shaving cream does cost less than a full-fledged professional hair removal treatment protocol. But once you scale the costs over a lifetime, the tables turn quite dramatically indeed. Also, what do we do with all those products: lotions, pre-shave and aftershave gels, and attendant shaving paraphernalia once we are done with them. We throw them away, obviously… Who said that being conscious of our environmental impact was necessarily bad news for our checkbook?

Living With the Times

Hair removal is by no means a new procedure. But techniques have gone a long, long way from traditional temporary techniques that our ancestors relied upon. Why stick around that mountain, all Sisyphus-like? Leave that rock of yours at the bottom of the slope, along with your shaving supplies. No need to bother with those anymore, since better solutions are now within your reach…

Curious to know more? http://www.dectro.com/en/electrolysis-machine

Electrolysis, Photoepilation

Hair Removal for Men – What Are My Options?

2018-11-16

Hair Removal au masculin: A Quick Guide

To some, putting “men” and “hair removal” in the same sentence might seem slightly odd. Yet it is hard to argue against the fact that masculine epilation has now gone mainstream. Indeed, more and more men are deciding nowadays to have their body and/or facial hair partially or completely removed, be it for aesthetic reasons, or say, to provide a performance advantage in sports. Whatever the motivations behind such a decision, there are many options available on the market, yet only a select few really are suitable for men’s specific needs. Let’s go through them, then, shall we?

Right out of the gate, one would be hard pressed to recommend any type of temporary solution, other than one’s usual shaving regimen. Waxing, for one, should be taken out of the equation. First, the elephant in the room: the discomfort such a procedure entails. This issue is especially acute for men, as pain increases in proportion to the density of hair growth.  Then factor in the fact that such quasi-torture will have to be repeated indefinitely in the future, and at fairly frequent intervals, at that, and you’ll quickly understand why this is a no-go. But what about hair remover lotions, I hear you ask? Those too, arguably, are best treated with caution. Notwithstanding their patchy record of effectiveness, such products are by nature irritant – hence the high risk of causing undesirable skin reactions, especially if used on a regular basis.

But If You’re Serious About Hair Removal

Gentlemen, let’s be honest. Long term solutions where it’s at if you’re serious about getting rid of those unwanted hairs. And in any case, wouldn’t you want to take care of the issue once and for all?

The real choice, then, will be between photoepilation (IPL or laser), or electroepilation (AKA electrolysis). At first, photoepilation might seem to be the obvious path. For both IPL (which stands for “Intense Pulsed Light”) and laser can be used to treat large zones efficiently and quickly, which pays off when dealing with wider surfaces that exhibit a high density of hair growth (back, torso, legs). However, such techniques are not appropriate in certain other situations, such as when dealing with pale (or white) hairs, or darker skins. Specific areas of the body like eyebrows or… rather more intimate locations, shall we say, demand a more considered approach.

Electrolysis to the rescue

For those situations, electrolysis comes to the rescue. Indeed, this technique allows for a more targeted approach (as each hair is destroyed individually), which obviously comes at the price of speed (though a good operator will mitigate that difference significantly). In fact, Dectro’s Apilus xCell electrolysis device also boasts specific programs for men, whose hairs are bigger and hardier, which makes for an even more efficient (and attractive) treatment. Add the fact that electrolysis is the only treatment that will lead to total elimination of hair; laser or IPL will only lead to a reduction of pilosity (roughly 80%). Obviously, a trained specialist will be able to guide you and orient you towards the treatment that is more suited to your particular condition. For when it comes to hair removal, whether you are male or female, there simply is no room for improvisation; one is always better off getting help from professionals.

 

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