Essential Skin Care Tools For Glowing Skin
If you are looking for a way to improve your skin's appearance naturally, then skin care tools are for you.
Up until recently most beauty advice has been focused on using:
- Moisturizing
- Exfoliation
- Cleansing
- Face Masks
- Toners
- Serums
- Steaming
Whilst all of the above can help with the every day health and care of your skin. The increasing popularity of facial tools cannot be denied. The question is are they are gimmick or are they really as good as all they are made out to be?
What are the benefits of using skin care tools?
If you have a busy lifestyle beauty tools can be a blessing on so many levels. They speed up your beauty regime by getting great results from anti-aging through to clearer skin.
They can be used any where or time, so you can keep up a skincare routine even if you rarely make it to a day spa for a facial. If you do frequent a beautician or medi spa regularly, using appropriate beauty tools in between treatments will enhance your results.
You may be tired of the normal cycle of cleansing, using toners and face masks, steaming, exfoliation and moisturizing, if this is the case then you are in the right place!
Depending on what you are using, you can tackle some skin concerns at home by themselves or combined with professional help.
The availability of many tools online means you can decide what you need and focus your intentions on that goal.
Spending time to take care of your skin is a great investment, after all you can't hide your appearance...
How do I know which skin care tool is right for me?
This is a question that is asked frequently by new combers to the the trend.
There are a number of points to consider before selecting a beauty tool. For example do you want to treat:
- Acne
- Pores
- anti- aging
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
In a nutshell what is your intention. Once you decide on what it is you are aiming to do you can then narrow down on your selection to find out the best possible scenario for your particular skin. Please keep in mind that every one is unique and you need to allow some space and time to explore what truly is helping.
In some cases it also may not be recommended to use any tools at all with certain skin conditions or types especially if the skin is broken or has an infection. It is best to see the contraindications for skin care tools written below.
Are skin care tools safe to use at home?
There are some skin care tools we would not recommend using at home for example performing microdermabrasion, chemical peels or excessive and frequent exfoliation of the skin.
Similarly using a derma pen or very long microneedles ( over 1.5mm) are not safe.
As a general rule anything that removes the dermis of the skin, or results in bleeding the skin should not be practiced at home.
The best way to be sure if it is safe is to do due diligence with research whether what you would like to use is genuinely a safe option or consult your doctor if you are unsure.
The following conditions should not be treated at home using tools:
- broken skin
- scabs
- wounds
- bleeding skin
- blisters
- rashes
- warts
- psoriasis
- eczema
- pustular or nodular rosacea
- fungal infections
- suspected cancerous growths
- keloid scars
- active pustular acne
- cold sores
There are also medications that you cannot take and use for some tools like microneedling.
You should consult your doctor if taking any anti-coagulant medications other than aspirin and any drugs known to cause photo sensitivity such as Accutane medications.
Pregnant and breast feeding women should only perform dry needling where no products are used on the skin for at least 8 hours after treatment.
Electronic devices obviously may have more danger as you are dealing with electricity. Reputable brands and manufacturers can always be found easily with a little searching.
It is also advisable to only use the device as instructed via the manufacturer and also by industry experts in the field. There are many fads or misinformation about how best to perform treatments incorrectly on line.
There are also some very poorly manufactured products out there that can damage your skin. So ensure you always purchase from a reputable brand. There have been far too many times that people have contacted us after using shabby tools and needed our advice as to whether their experience was normal.
This also includes using appropriate products where necessary.
We have written many articles on our blog that you can refer to like:
Can skin care tools help with anti-aging?
Yes! This is why they are becoming an essential asset to maintaining a gorgeous complexion.
Whether it is treating fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, enlarged pores or other cosmetic issues you can select a whole ritual or routine to support your needs.
Jade Gua Sha and facial rollers increase microcirculation and lymphatic drainage aiding in healthier skin cells which is reflected in the complexion. They are great for helping puffy skin.
Cupping on the face or body corrects misaligned connective tissue as well as increasing microcirculation and lymph drainage. It has shown to change the bio-mechanism of the skin and assists myofacial release, pain and blood detoxification. This can help greatly with complexion and tightening /reshaping the contour of the face.
Microneedling inducts collagen naturally in the skin and increases trans dermal absorption of products into the skin buy up to 10,000 times. It can be used to treat all signs of aging from wrinkles and fine lines to hypo pigmentation. Considering you lose collagen every year as you get older, this is one of the only natural ways to get it back!
Even if you have suffered from acne and had blocked pores resulting in blackheads and whiteheads for many years and your skin is now hormonally more balanced, you can find you have premature wrinkles from the products you have used. Face masks, moisturizing and serums alone aren't enough to treat anti-aging.
What is the difference between manual and electronic skin care tools?
Simply electricity. You may think that anything that is electrical is better but it can also come with increased risks.
Treatment devices may be too strong and damage the skin for example of the dermapen, which has been known to cause nerve damage and other issues if misused.
All of the beauty tools that White Lotus uses have zero electricity and we also know have been safely used for thousands of years. They also have the added benefit of benefiting your overall health and well being as they are derived from the ancient beauty rituals of the far east and traditional medicine systems like acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
In Chinese medicine there is a theory that if you use electricity with needles- called "electroacupuncture" it actually introduces wind into the body which then causes internal imbalances.
We have always preferred to work with the body's own internal energy and amplify that, to achieve beauty.This is obviously against most practices in the beauty industry.
Manual tools are obviously easy to use and you don't need to be need a plug or re charger to use them.
You can get a better cleanse if you use an electronic cleansing brush, but for all intensive purposes, if you are steaming, cleansing, applying a facial mask and toner then used facial rollers, jade gua sha, cupping and ended with microneedling. That is an incredible treatment that requires no electronic devices and gets great results including boosting collagen.
How often should I use skin care tools?
This depends on what skin care tool you are using and it is best to follow best practices and do your research before using them. Using them too frequently may damage the skin or simply be counterproductive to results.
Take for example using a microneedling roller. It is best to use these only every 14 days. this allows for the break down of old collagen and a new layer to be formed. Because it is great to induce collagen but the old collagen needs to be disguarded for long term change. Take into mind that it has been shown that collagen induction from microneedling can last 7 years. Using it too frequently would not get the best results.
However Gua Sha, Body Combing, Jade rolling, Cupping on the face and body can be performed daily if the correct protocols are followed.
Excessive exfoliation or inappropriate cleansing techniques can damage the skin so just ensure you are using products that are right for you.
People with acne, enlarged pores, blackheads and whiteheads tend to want to overall cleanse and practically disinfect the skin with industrial cleansing devices, however too much of a good thing can make your skin worse. Simply cleansing, moisturizing and toners may be a good start with a gentle tool and regime.
Are there any specific ingredients I should avoid when using skin care tools?
Absolutely! You need to be aware that by using a skin tool it will increase your circulation and lymph drainage, and in some cases increase the absorption of products dramatically into your blood stream.
As a clean beauty brand we only recommend using products that are completely natural and do not contain any parabens, SLS, petrochemicals etc to get the best results.
You should not use retinoids or vitamin a products with microneedling or hyalouronic acid. These aee often recommended for moisturizing and also for skin care rejuvenation as well as preventing acne
White Lotus has developed products that are edible and bioactive based on traditional chinese herbal formulations by the founders expertise in pharmacology and Chinese herbal medicine.
This means they are safe to use but will get great results without having to compromise. These products are also designed to be used with the entire range of tools for all skin types and ethnicity.
You can see a full list of ingredients we avoid here.
Can skin care tools be used on sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin it is always best to apply caution with using mass marketed products and to test on an area of the skin, like your body first to access whether it is good to use or not. Excessive exfoliation, cleansing and using inappropriate moisturizing, serums and toners can all lead to sensitive skin.
Our entire product range is designed for sensitive skin and for people that normally have great difficulty using main stream beauty products and treatments without getting adverse affects. We also believe that least is best in the case of sensitivity.
Jade Gua sha, cupping and facial rollers are very safe to use, basically the 5 step crystal facial with the green tea oil and the activated crystal serum are designed to get great results in the comfort of your home.
The Activated Crystal Serum releases natural far infra red rays in the skin, without having to buy an artificial device to do this!
The bottom line is be wary and test. Even with the microneedling range we only use a biopolymer roller which is metal free to avoid nickel allergies. This is very gentle on the skin for those that are interested in trying but don't want to use something that will irritate.
What is the best way to clean and maintain skin care tools?
The best way to sanitize skin care tools is to use a UV santizer for professionals or a natural beauty tool cleaner . You can simply spray the tools after using. We love to use colloidal silver as it kills 99.99% bacteria and is very natural again and been used safely for a long time and is coming back due to it's popularity and effectiveness.
Skin care tools harbor bacteria and can make your skin breakout with acne, blackheads or whiteheads. This of course which will cause great distress and you may believe that this is due to the actual tool but like everything they need to be cleaned after use to avoid bacteria. Not only do you need to use cleansers on your skin but on your tools!
It is also best not to share tools especially anything to do with microneedling with anyone else.
Can skin care tools replace professional treatments?
It depends what you are treating but you can get excellent results at home. Most of the skin tool packs that are available at White Lotus where created for our clients to use at home or in between courses of treatments.
We created them largely to replicate the results we achieved in our famous clinic for people that could not attend or lived overseas.
It is definitely possible to treat at home:
- Anti Aging
- Scars
- Stretch Marks
- Cellulite
- Hypopigmentaion
- Dull complexion
- Sagging Skin
- Puffy Skin and congestion
- Enlarged pores
using a combination of treatments and facial oils and serums. Many of our clients have been using the White Lotus system of tools for many years and notice that their skin stops aging in comparison to their peers from the curated rituals and treatment systems. However if you want a face lift obviously you need to see a cosmetic surgeon.
Are there any side effects of using skin care tools?
As with all things if you select a tool and do not use it as instructed correctly you will get side effects.
Side effects can result from using a skin care tool:
- Incorrectly
- With bad or inappropriate products
- On contraindicated skin conditions or health problems
- While using certain medications
- When pregnant or breast feeding
Ensure you purchase your tool from an well trusted brand that has great video and written instructions as well as excellent technical support.
How long does it take to see results from using skin care tools?
You can see results almost instantly when using tools we always recommend treating the right side of the face first and then looking in a mirror.
It will be obvious how lifted, taut and bright the right side looks in comparison to the left side of the face.
Gua sha alone has been shown to increase micro circulation by up to 400% for 25 minutes after a treatment.
With continual regular use and practice you will see ongoing and sustained results from the effort put into your skin's wellness.
Can skin care tools be used with other skin care products?
Yes but only with tool specific products. There are many products on the market that contain toxic ingredients and will be absorbed into your skin.
You should not use skin care tools with
- Vitamin A or retanoids
- Hyalouronic Acid
- Synthetic Vitamins
- Parabens
- Sulphates
- Mineral oil or Petroleum Products
You can read why these are not recommended here and also some blogs:
Are there any skin types that should not use skin care tools?
Yes depending on your concern you should look at the contraindications for using certain tools with certain skin types or ethnicities. Darker skin for example can get increased pigmentation from certain cosmetic treatments like ablation or any treatment that removes the dermis like microdermabrasion.
If you are unsure it is best to check with your doctor or beautician.
Also buyer beware as not all cosmetic treatments are deemed natural even though they are advertised that way like laser or chemical peels.
Here is a article about using a dermaroller with black skincare
Do skin care tools really make a difference in my skin's appearance?
Yes! From inducting collagen in the skin, vastly increasing product absorption into your dermis, increasing circulation, lymph drainage, skin cell detoxification and correcting misaligned connective tissue- they really do change your facial appearance and complexion over time.
These skin care rituals have been used by our ancestors and stood the test of time for a reason. They truly do work and help you maintain a youthful radiant complexion naturally. You can compare your skin to your peers that don't invest time in themselves and people will start to say you look young for your age, what are you doing?
Utilizing a holistic approach to your skincare also helps your internal energy from an acupuncture perspective. Your face represents your internal organs. By treating your face and issues that are resonating it helps your internal energy. Creating wellness and relaxation all around. The treatments can also be very pleasant self love routines, where you have a bath, switch on some relaxing music and escape the world to tune in to how you are.
If you are curious about learning more about how to use skin tools, you can:
- View our award winning beauty tool range with guarantees
- You can also take our online courses for professional or home use
