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In 1977 Richard Thalheimer founded a company that would eventually bring James Bond gadgetry into the hands of the every day consumer; the Sharper Image. As futuristic as his tools and technology seemed on screen, there was never a person in the audience who did not ooh and aah at the ingenuity that they witnessed. As a result of this seemingly universal intrigue with compact, intelligent, tools and technology, the Sharper Image has grown faster than any other company of its kind with sales that exceeded $525 million in 2007. Their scope of goods now includes everything from automated barbecue tools, talking robots, to personal hygiene technology. The growth of the Sharper Image was in part due to its originality and “first of its kind” retail outlet, but more than anything its explosive success was representative of the inherent human fascination of ingenuity and technology. Tools and Technology of Convenience for
As technology becomes smaller and more intelligent in every aspect of our day to day lives, it is no surprise that we are seeing this trend coming forward with regards to skin care tools and technology. Whether it be the high tech vision visors that now allow the skin therapist to effortlessly examine their client’s skin while they work, or the new breed of rechargeable professional battery operated devices that allow the skin therapist the ultimate agility in their environment and budget, there is no doubt that our needs as esthetic professionals are evolving.
Bringing the Treatment
A big part of this evolution has been spawned by the extremely strong trend of bringing the treatment literally out of the room. Although historically we have hidden away our secret tools and technology in the dark corners of our treatment rooms, the future of skin care could not be more opposite. The forward thinking tools and technology of tomorrow’s skin therapist are more than efficacious and effective, they are interesting and fashionable; the bling of skin care! Having said this, hand held, compact, cordless devices that can be conveniently carried in a skin therapist’s tool belt, or positioned near the treatment chair in a “room-less” treatment environment, are hot! The appearance of a skin therapist greeting her client wearing her high tech attire in itself is a statement; the image is commanding, definite, and confident. The Vision Although science has brought forth many new exciting, effective and expensive photography tools and systems to analyze the skin, there is simply no replacement for the esthetician and her visual assessment of the skin, as well as her personal, unique, and specialized prescription for each and every client. The latest fashion trend in skin care technology that assists the skin therapist in observing her clients’ skin are innovative, self-lit vision visors. These battery operated devices utilize a clear LED light illumination system that allows for complete and accurate visual assessments. Most visors can hold multiple magnification lenses at once allowing the skin therapist the agility to analyze at different magnification levels instantly. The convenience of these new innovative tools not only benefits the skin therapist during the initial consultation and analysis, but as importantly, during the service as the skin itself is changing. Because the vision visors are self-lit, it also allows the skin therapist ample working light to accurately perform their service, while the primary room light is kept at a minimum maintaining ultimate comfort for the client. Self-lit vision visors are priced under $100.00 and in my opinion a definite must-have for every skin therapist! |
Quick Readings A strategic and compact tool that is quickly catching the eye of skin therapists are hand held battery operated moisture analyzation meters that utilize bio electric impedance technology. Although this is not necessarily a completely new technology, advanced and highly sensitive skin application membrane sensors have been developed and the general engineering updated such that the measurements are dependable, consistent, and clinically accepted. As the skin therapist places the device on the skin, a
The Ultimate View Another handy tool that has made great headway in the last few years are viewing scopes that allow the skin therapist, and as importantly, the client, an up close and personal view of their skin on a computer monitor. Historically these devices have been a bit large, cumbersome, and expensive. The latest breed of viewing scopes are small, compact, ergonomic, affordable and stylish! They are powered from the USB port of any standard PC, self illuminated for optimum picture | |
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Exfoliation and Penetration One of the latest rages in hand held professional technology is ultrasonic peeling combined with product penetration capabilities using a flat metal, peeling applicator. Ultrasonic exfoliation works with high speed (more than 20,000 Hz) oscillations of the exfoliation flat metal peeling applicator. The applicator is applied to the skin in upward, peeling motions, generally during the cleansing stage of a facial. Some therapists also combine it with light exfoliation enzyme gels. After the exfoliation and peeling effect is realized, a press of a button changes the device programming and the same tool can be utilized for positive or negative ionization, eliminating the need for traditional galvanic devices. This new breed of hand held devices are rechargeable and are generally capable of 1.5 to 3 hours of continuous use. As most professional applications with this device consist of about 10 minutes of use, a full charge will normally last for a complete days work. Because of its handy and compact nature, this tool can easily fit in the tool belt of the skin therapist for quick access, as well as allowing the freedom to conveniently use this tool in any stage of the service. Most ultrasonic peelers are priced under $500.00.
Zoning in on Microcurrent With all of the buzz of microcurrent and its amazing benefits to the skin, it was only a matter of time before manufacturers created small, more compact microcurrent devices specifically for accent services; specific iontophoresis, mini lifting, and hands free services that can be performed in “room-less” treatment environments. Although the ultrasonic peelers have some capability for product penetration, they do not hold a candle to well designed microcurrent devices that utilize the latest sequencing technology with the ability to control the depth and location of product penetration. Many progressive manufacturers are also offering mini lifting programs in their devices, as well as upgrades to software programming as new facials and services are developed. This forward thinking concept is extremely popular and exciting as it supports an intelligent, earth friendly engineering strategy that allows for a single equipment investment to continue providing the latest in skin care innovations through software upgrades. These new mini power houses are perfect for the skin therapist who is just adding microcurrent services to their menu, existing microcurrent users who are in need of additional devices for accent services, and of course for all of the progressive skin therapists who are zoning in on bringing the treatment out of the room! Most mini microcurrent devices utilize traditional probes and hands free electric face and hand mask applications, and are priced between $1500 -$2500.
The tool belt of the skin therapist When I first became a licensed esthetician more than 20 years ago, I was intrigued with the neat tool belts and holsters that the hair professionals utilized for their tools. The fashion trend seemed to stem from the stage performers and quickly took to the floors of salons around the world. It represented agility, convenience, and speed. As our world of esthetics has evolved, we now need the same kind of tool belts to house our hand held devices, and of course our most dominant products so that we can seamlessly and gracefully move through our service with more hands on time with our best clients and less fumbling around. The tool belt of the skin therapist is more than practical; it is a fashion statement and a constant display of marketing for the skin therapist as well as the products that are contained within the tool belt. Once you put a well designed tool belt on, you will feel transformed, equipped and ready; and maybe even wear it home! A good tool belt should not cost you more than $45.
Gadgetry or Efficacious? Are these new tools and technology just gadgets and a puff of smoke? Shop smart as not all products are created equal; day to day events that occur in life have taught us this more than once. Use your logic, and look for the science and the education that supports the technology. Seek out knowledgeable and credible manufacturers and suppliers who really know their stuff when it comes to technology and most importantly, take the time to educate you about it. Although the prices for these new exciting tools are certainly attainable, as with anything there is no doubt that you will see significant price variances within the market place. Two things that should never be bargained with; your reputation and your business! Simply put, when you are investing in yourself and your business, settle for nothing less than the BEST! The new hybrid innovations of skin care tools and technology represent some of the most technologically advanced ideas and concepts in skin care today, and best of all, they compliment and respect the power of touch! By no means have they eliminated the need for full size microcurrent, LED, or microdermabrasion devices, rather they have allowed an entirely new set of tools to further refine our services and results!
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low level of electrical current is utilized to measure the conductivity, resistance, and the time in which it takes to obtain the reading. These measurements are calculated against an internal database of statistics to determine the exact final numerical result. These tools have been proven to assist the skin therapist in gaining factual bio-marker measurements for each client in multiple areas of the face neck and décolleté. These measurements in conjunction with the visual and physical examination of the skin greatly refines the skin therapist’s ability to prescribe specific products and services. Moisture meters are literally the thermometer for tomorrow’s skin therapist, and for under $100, you certainly do not want to go without!
quality, and have adjustable, user friendly magnification lenses and focus adjustment built into the devices, which eliminate the hassle of changing lenses and moving the scope inward and outward in attempt to gain focus. Although most scopes have the ability to capture a still photograph and save it to a client file, the forward thinking skin therapist is using it as the modern mirror. Experts note that clients who view their skin magnified by 50X to 200X on a computer monitor instantly take a more significant interest in improving their skin, as well as gain an entirely new insight on how the skin works and why certain products and professional services are needed. Having said this, viewing scopes serve as the ultimate education medium, as well as completely satisfy the new breed of well read, savvy and sometimes skeptical clientele; it speaks science, efficacy and cutting edge technology! Most new generation viewing scopes are priced slightly under $600.00.