Oxygen Facials
Over the past few years, oxygen facials have become all of the rage. Celebrities from Madonna to Heather Locklear attribute their healthy glowed and super-toned skin to the treatment. It appears that the trend is catching on, as it has been reported that Americans have received 20,000 oxygen facials in the past year alone.
Estheticians perform the treatment by utilizing a specially designed oxygen machine. The handle on the machine is loaded with a cocktail of ingredients specially mixed for the individual clients specifications. Often the treatment cocktail contains hylauronic acid - a component of human connective tissue whose main function is to cushion and lubricate. HA is often used in skin care treatments due to its super-hydrating effects. The machine blasts pure oxygen through the follicles (pores) on the skin and delivers the treatment cocktail into the layer of the skin directly below the skins surface. This delivery method is regarded by some estheticians to be more effective that other machine-induced delivery methods (i.e. galvanic, ultrasound, etc.)
The treatment costs around $500 and is sold is a series of six weekly treatments (estheticians favorite selling tactic). Monthly treatments are also recommended as maintenance. The treatment is best suited for those with dry/dehydrated skin types as well as those looking to reduce fine lines.
The Skinny: The jury is still out regarding the effectiveness of the treatment. Manufacturers of the device are not required to conduct clinical trials to evaluate effectiveness. In addition, some dermatologists believe the plumping experienced by some clients is actually follicular swelling, a natural result of the forced oxygen penetrating the pore.