There has been so much in the media over the past few years about different types of facial brushes. There are quite a few bloggers online who have been using them and there are lots of different articles in magazines etc. raving about them. What is my opinion though?
I've been a facialist now for more than 12 years and I have found that electrical facial brushes are really not the best. There are so many different brands out there to choose from, but in my opinion, a lot of them are the same.
I find they are very expensive and can create quite a bit of damage to the skin.
Too harsh
Electrical brushes are designed to be used every day. The problem with this though is that it is like exfoliating the skin daily. When you over cleanse the skin in this way, it can really sensitise it. Over brushing can strip the skin of it's natural barrier and then cause moisture loss which in turn will dehydrate the skin. Be very careful not to over do it with brushing daily - I would never recommend this.
They can cause inflammation
Exfoliating the skin too regular can cause chronic inflammation. Sometimes we can see this and sometimes we can't. Inflammation can sometimes be seen as reddening of the skin and also as broken capillaries. Even if we can't see the damage caused, it can still be a major factor in premature ageing.
Over stimulation causes pigmentation
This is a major problem with electrical brushes because they can really stimulate the skin. Over stimulation can trigger melanin to form and cause pigmentation. Also, if the skin becomes very sensitive and over exfoliated this can also cause pigmentation if you are not using a good SPF daily. You need something with a high factor too - if you are prone to pigmentation, I would definitely just avoid them at all costs.
Detoxifying or just acne causing?
I always hear that when you start using these brushes they can trigger a breakout. Hmmm... I also have heard so many people (bloggers included) who just give up on them as the spots do not seem to clear. In my opinion the brush can not be very clean. Generally the brush heads are so dense with bristles, they can harbour a lot of dirt, grime, skin cells, make up and plenty of bacteria. We can't afford to change the head each time we use it, so we just give it a good rinse and allow it to dry. My guess is that most of the breakouts can be caused by a dirty brush. I would really recommend not using one if you have acne or are acne prone as it could just exacerbate the issue. Stick to using your hands and either disposable gauzes or a clean flannel each day (much cheaper too!)
So what do I suggest?
The only brush I recommend is the silicone Eve Taylor brush I stock in my clinic. It is very soft and gentle on the skin and can be washed very easily with an anti-bacterial soap. The bristles are well spaced so allow for easy cleaning and as it's manual, you are in charge of how fast and how much pressure to use.
I only recommend using the brush once or twice a week with your cleanser to stimulate the blood flow and give a gentle massage to the skin. Always massage the brush upwards and never pull the skin downwards. Wash the brush before and after use and allow to dry.
This to me is the perfect amount of stimulation without over doing it.
Fancy trying a brush? Contact me at bookafacial@outlook.com. Brushes retail at £8.50 each in the clinic.
Thanks so much for reading
Emmaline x