Ultrasonic skin blades and skin scrubbers
I was so intrigued by Daniel’s mention of an ultrasonic “skin blade” (see comments on my microcurrent devices post) that I just had to find out more. It turns out that (in the US anyway) these devices are more usually called skin scrubbers or skin spatulas. Although these appellations are hardly poetic, they don’t have the Sweeney Todd connotations of Daniel’s skin blade. Anyway, blade, scrubber or spatula, what are they?
In some ways, these devices are like the Clarisonic Brush – but without the brush. By which I mean, they all use "sonic" frequencies that create vibrations that are supposed to help loosen and remove oil, dirt, and cellular debris from pores. The blade or spatula is a stainless steel blade that oscillates (as does the Clarisonic Brush head) and glides over the skin. A flat side can be moved over a cream or serum to help it penetrate.
A company called Bellaire makes the Skin Spatula (the HS-3003) for salons and an at-home device called Ezzi-Peel Ultrasound Portable Cordless Skin Spatula ($249.95), which has been FDA approved. There are several other models on the market, including the SY-088 Ultrasound Spatula ($189.95).
The new Pore-Fector from Bliss ($230) is essentially a device in the skin scrubber genre and, in Bliss parlance, it uses "sonic vibrations" to cleanse the skin. This being Bliss, the Pore-Fector gadget also comes with a couple of unpleasant looking potions. The Detoxifying Facial Toner is an especially lethal concoction of phenoxyethanol, parabens, unidentified fragrance, limonene and chlorhexidine digluconate. How ironic to take debris and dirt off the skin, only to put toxins in.
I am a big fan of Clarisonic and its brush and am curious as to how these blades or scrubbers compare. If anyone else has ever tried them and, better still, have stacked them up against Clarisonic, please let us know.
::amazon(B001T707XS):: ::amazon(B003F2LITM):: ::amazon(B003E0FMVU)::
Ingredients in Bliss Daily Detoxifying Facial Toner:
Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract, Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Malachite Extract, Methylparaben, Limonene, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Propylene Glycol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Sorbitol, Chlorhexidine Digluconate, Blue 1 (CI 42090)
Ingredients in Bliss Steep Clean 15-Minute Facial Mask:
Glycerin, Water, Coco-Glucoside, Coconut Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Butyrospermum Park Ii (Shea Butter), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Zinc Gluconate, Protease, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Subtilisin, Zanthoxylum Alatum Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Extract, Morus Bombycis Root Extract, Fragrance (Parfum), Tocopheryl Acetate, Salicylic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Oleyl Alcohol, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, BHT Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Blue 1 (CI 42090), Red 33 (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140).
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It is so depressing reading your "review" above. Do you have any idea what you are talking about? An "ultrasonic brush"? Where do you get that? The Clarisonic brush has nothing to do with ultrasound and the only reason it is, or can be, called "sonic" is because it makes noise. And as for the spatula products; same thing. The metal spatula vibrates your skin, flogging the gunk out of it. But ultrasound? You should do your readers a service and spend some time understanding what you are talking about.
BTW: I have no agenda. I am not, nor ever have been, associated with any of these products or their competitors. I'm just an appalled engineer who has recently been reading some of the absolute nonsense on some of these sites.
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 11:09 am
Thank you Charles. I went back to all the companies and their products mentioned here and you are partly right. Clarisonic uses what it calls 'sonic technology" and does not use the term 'ultrasound'. And so I have corrected the article accordingly. Bellaire does claim, for what its worth, to use ultrasound.
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I own a skin spatula that I bought at a cosmetic convention.
I really like it. I will definitely say that the cleaning/scrubbing action can not be compared to a Clarisonic brush. However I have very sensitive skin and I like it better because using the Clarisonic everyday is too much on my skin.
My favorite part of the device is to use the other side after a serum, it vibrates and create heat. It's extremely relaxing and that it itself does wonder because tension in the face will create wrinkles.
I do recommend it.
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Marta,
Thank you for your grace and tact when under fire. I appreciate your effort to help all of us make better decisions when purchasing skincare, etc.
BTW, looking forward to your at-home microcurrent review.
Posted on October 16, 2010 at 9:43 pm
This is hard - really, really hard. To watch a person who has provided so much to this community being thrown under the bus by someone because they are appalled.?. Jeesh.
Well, welcome aboard, Charles. I look forward to your future contributions.
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:31 am
I'm glad you looked into this Martha , my ulatrasonic skin scrubber uses 28 kh ultrasound frequency . One setting allows me to go over my skin and the machine makes a buzzing noise and you see dust !!!!! Yes dead skin cells coming away!!! I love it and it won't go too far so that I go red. The next mode is tone and I apply a gel water based mask. I use dermaquest hydra B5 or my one of my favourites Sundari firming Gotu Kola and Indian Asparagus Mask and then turn the blade over and voilà!!! I go over my face feels kind of nice and it pushes them into my skin . So good !!! They penetrate so much better !!!! I must not tell a lie I do have maybe another dozen or two masks I use with it lol.
Then I wipe over my face and then apply my serums or 5!! And go over the face again and my skin drinks it all up and I glow. I swear by this piece of equipment . Who cares Ultrasonic , ultrashmonic (I'm a good Jewish boy!)
It works :). Your great marta
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 8:54 am
It can't be said enough - the TIA website is invaluable with honest reviews and up to date information on skin care. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:34 am
Hi,
Can anyone recommend a brand?
Thanks,
Valerie
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Hi Daniel and Marta, Thanks so much for recommending the ultrasonic skin scrubber. Very exciting. I would love to get one. Daniel, would you mind telling us the brand/manufacturer of your device as it sounds fantastic.
Thanks Marta for guiding us so well.
Best regards / ANN
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 4:44 am
I have been an esthetician for 15 yrs.(Just wanting to validate some clinical experience here!) I love the Clairsonic brush, yes the oscillation of the brush instead of a rotary motion is efficacious. I began using a "spatula" last Dec. I use the Bio-Therapeutic Platinum micro-current machine in the treatment room, and then they came out with their version of the spatula called the "Bt-micro". I used my previous device on one side of a clients face and the Bt- on the other side. No comparison, at lest 50% more "debris" was exfoliated with the Bt spatula. Oscillating at 20,000Hz qualify's as ultra sonic. Product penetration on the reverse side as well, the product goes somewhere it just doesn't evaporate, and it's not on the blade. Both the brush and the blade are great tools, without the over exfoliation cycle the is sometime created both at home and in the treatment room.
Posted on October 21, 2010 at 6:44 am
Hi all I just love my clarisonic its fabulous.I use it maybe twice a month as my skin is super sensitive.However clarisonic does wonders for my skin as well as being so gentle. I can't use glycolic acids so clarisonic is so much better for me ..Primrose
Posted on November 26, 2010 at 3:24 pm
I love both the EZ peel spatula and the Clarisonic for different reasons.
I do not like microdermabrasion machines as they are too harsh on my skin.
The Clarisonic is perfect for getting the make up off at night. The EZ peel spatula is perfect for exfoliating with Olay scrub cream and getting ALL the blackheads out and blemish reducer too as well as using to penetrate serums deep into the skin.
I also like the light therapies like the new laser Starlite one.
If I could only get ONE item though it would be that EZ Peel Spatula because it does the most and it is so awesome that it can get all the blackheads out! I tried it on a pal who had a bad rosacea nose with tons of blackheads covering it fully and lots of rosacea blemish bumps forming and that spatula removed ALL the blackheads from every crack and crevice as well as doing something to reduce the blemish bumps and they went away fully in one day after the treatment and they NEVER went away before. Get all if you can but if you cant then just get the EZ Peel spatula. The EZ Peel is the only one for home I could find with FDA approval so stick with this safer model rather than the knock offs that may not be set to the right frequency to work
Posted on November 30, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Just to clear up any confusion: Skin spatula/scrubber is an ultrasonic device. In the handpiece, there are PZT ceramic crystals which enable the blade to vibrate at over 20 KHz when current hits the crystals.
Most of the skin scrubbers on the market come with either 2, 4, or 6 PZT ceramic crystals in the handpiece. The lower the quantity, the lower the price, the weaker the blade vibration, which all ultimately leads to less noticeable results. Professional skin scrubber units have 6 PZT crystals allowing for immediate results that are seen and felt the fastest. Increasingly, more spas and salons use the skin scrubber because it enhances treatments that are already in use and clients are able to feel a drastic difference in their skin.
Lately, there's been a surge for more home-use equipment so many companies develop handheld scrubbers. Many of these only have 2 PZT ceramic crystals so although it does make a difference, it's not comparable to the professional scrubbers. If you are looking for an at-home scrubber, find one that has 4 PZT ceramic crystals. If it is a rechargeable scrubber, make sure the company provides battery replacements and another point to make is, make sure the battery replacements are done in the US. Otherwise, you may have to send the scrubber overseas to the manufacturer with no guarantee you'll ever see it again.
Posted on December 1, 2010 at 10:54 am
What is the PZT in the BT Micro? Also, what does PZT mean?
I have both the Clarisonic and the BT Micro, love, love, love the. They seem to do two very different things and work great together.
Last, BT Micro looks like they just came out with a new model, I just bought mine less than a month ago. What is/are the difference(s) in the older model and new one besides the rearranging of the option 1 & 2 buttons.
Thanks!
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 8:38 pm
This a very interesting topic and I hope the questions some asked above will be addressed. I am very interested in knowing more about the EZ and BT scrubbers. Will do a search in the meantime.
Posted on December 9, 2010 at 2:32 am
The Ezzi-Peel and BT-Micro are actually manufactured by the same company in Asia. It's just under different brand names. The new model was created by BT just to differentiate it a bit from the Ezzi-Peel but it really isn't much different than the former BT model.
The most important features to look for when shopping for a battery-operated handheld scrubber are the warranty, guarantee, and battery replacement. Most will only give either a 3 month or 6 month warranty and absolutely no battery replacement services.
PZT stands for piezoelectric transducer. The PZT ceramic crystals are usually made from lead-zirconate-titanate. The most basic explanation of how PZT ceramic crystals produces ultrasound is as followed: there's two ceramic crystals, one on each side of the blade (the part that is enclosed by the handpiece). When an electric current hits the crystals, the energy produced causes the blade to oscillate back and forth. With only two ceramic crystals, oscillation is weak; with four, it becomes stronger, and with six, it is the strongest oscillation rate achievable for skin scrubbers.
Factors such as the quality of the crystals, the settings and internal electronic components of the device, as well as the battery capacity will also contribute to how well the machine will work and the effectiveness of treatments leading to beneficial results.
Posted on December 10, 2010 at 2:02 pm
@Michelle: thanks! I'll be curious to know what or how many pzt crystals are in the first model of the bt micro. I have to say, I love mine. Started using it on the back of my hands too. My micro current treatments last longer and my skin looks fantastic.
Posted on December 12, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I just got the bt-micro skin spatula and was wondering two things. How many times a week should I use it and with what products. I can't afford the bt-cocktail right now and was hoping you guys could give me some advice from your own experiences. I also use the Baby Quasar 2x a week. I would be so grateful.
Posted on February 3, 2011 at 6:09 pm
I am an Esthetician and have been researching these products extensively.
I believe the spatula is far more beneficial than the clarisonic brush.
There are plug-in options available where they do not contain a battery that may die. I suggest these prices much less ($100 or less)
When they are plugged into the wall there is less of a chance of the product breaking and more power going to the unit as it works.
When you use the opposite side of the blade to push product into the skin it has a mild micro-current effect toning your facial muscle.
I also have my doubts about the clarisonic brush staying clean. Most brushes grow bacteria if they are still moist the next time you use them.
We are looking into producing our own scrubber that is far less in cost and plugs in so there is no loss of battery or function.
Posted on February 13, 2011 at 1:18 pm
i want to buy the plug in blade please can u tell me the source
thank you
Posted on November 25, 2011 at 2:52 am
I'm an esthetician who uses both the Clarisonic brush and a scrubber. At the spa, we use the Rejuvena version. The devices serve different purposes.
The Clarisonic helps exfoliate and takes off makeup and grime. The scrubber, which I think of as a pressure washing machine, exfoliates and deep cleans. I would not use the scrubber without first using the Clarisonic and prepping the skin for further exfoliation. And with the number of brushes available for the Clarisonic, nearly everyone can use it.
We use ours in two other ways after exfoliation, to coax more gunk out, to massage and to help penetrate product.
Most clients see and feel an immediate difference in their skin, and nearly everyone tells me that people ask what they've done to their skin because it looks great. Our facial that's designed around the device is among the most popular esthetics service.
I'm a big fan of the technology, because it's gentle and effective. I'm looking at scrubbers for myself and am considering Bellaire's Skin Spatula.
Posted on February 21, 2012 at 8:50 am