I recently read a blog post about a "revolutionary" facial involving oxygen infused with antioxidents and nutrients and using the oxygen to push the molecules into your dermis. I'm highly skeptical. Here is an excerpt from the blog post:
"During the facial she explained why the Intraceutical facial works-- your skin is like firm jello when you're a baby and as you age, it becomes powder jello-- Intraceuticals pushes nutrients into your skin below the epidermis so that it can plum up into firm jello again. You know how quickly a crease bounces back on a baby's skin after a nap? But sleep the wrong way yourself and sometimes it takes all day for that crease on your face to go away! You can cut off as much skin via facelift as you want but if your skin is not healthy, you're just tightening "sick" skin!
She used a wand that pushed the 'cocktail' of vitamins and nutrients into my skin and a technique called "hydroplaning"-- an exfoliating process. It simultaneously infuses moisture, vitamins and anti-oxidants into the skin via cooling, calming topical hyperbaric oxygen. The result is miraculous! If I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't have believed it! She did my left side first and it was visibly firmer than the right side-- I love instant gratification! After 24 hours my skin got more luminous and plump. It's been four days now and I have to say, one of the best facials I've ever received.
For optimal results, schedule 6 weekly session followed by a session every 4-6 weeks for maintenance. Madonna has 3 of these machines at each of her homes so she can be rejuvenated when she wants a lift! Book an appointment at The Dallas Ritz Carlton spa near you immediately! If you're getting married or have a big event coming up-- I highly recommend one of these miracle facials! Intraceuticals site here.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas, is the only spa in Dallas to offer the revolutionary Intraceuticals Topical Hyperbaric Oxygen Infusion treatment, heralded by top beauty and fashion magazines and used by high-profile celebrities to achieve instantly luminous and hydrated skin. Intraceuticals Oxygen Infusion™ uses therapeutic-grade topical oxygen to help uniquely formulated serums penetrate the epidermis, reaching fundamental layers and assisting tissue with its natural rejuvenation process -- from the inside out. The treatments are widely used in medical esthetics, not only as an adjunct to cosmetic laser and surgical procedures, but also to visibly improve the appearance of common skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, prematurely aging and severely dry skin. The process stimulates cell renewal, strengthens collagen and elastin fibers, and acts as a delivery system for the included treatment serums, which can include such active ingredients such as anti-oxidants, amino-peptides and nano-hydrators. Suitable for all skin types, the super-hydrating serums provide results that are instant but that can continue to improve for a full 24 hours."
Link to Inraceutial site here: http://www.intraceuticals.com/index.htm
This is a "professional line/product/procedure. I find it interesting that, on one hand they say that The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dallas, is the only spa in Dallas to offer the revolutionary Intraceuticals Topical Hyperbaric Oxygen Infusion treatment, and the other hand they say The treatments are widely used in medical esthetics,
"uses therapeutic-grade topical oxygen "
There are two grades of available oxygen: commercial and medical grades. There is no therapeutic-grade topical oxygen. What they dont' want to use is the term "Medical Grade" .
Chemically isn't oxygen an oxidizer? So you infusing an oxidizer to carry anti-oxidants?
When I hear someone promoting things like this I ask one question. "Are you telling me that this will actually affect the form and structure of the skin"? When someone uses terms like "rejuvenate" , "Minimize" , "Helps". "Incourages" I stop them and ask the what they mean. Do they or don't they?
I would be very very skeptical. The blog is suposed to be from someone who says that they just got it...but the copy reads like spam.
That's what I was thinking. Could you explain more about the differences between commercial and medical grade oxygen? Also, wouldn't it just be the serum that they're using that could be doing all the work? Would the oxygen be helping or counteracting the benefits of the antioxidants (as you seem to be suggesting)?
The Dermatology Blog thinks oxygen facials is just a lot of hot air. See what he says about it here.
http://thedermblog.com/2008/06/17/oxygen-facials-a-lot-of-hot-air/
The first time I commented, it didn't show up. If you see this message posted twice, my apologies.
Good question. Some years ago I asked the same question to someone at a gas refilling company. The inside dope is they told me that both come from the same source. The difference is the number of tanks which are tested to make sure no other elements are present in the gas (which is pretty rare if not non-existance since oxygen tanks are specially marked and painted to make sure they don't get filled with any other gas. So, instead of testing like ever 100 tanks in Commercial, they may be required to test every 10. There is also differences in delivery. I'm told that you can not have a commercial tank delivered to a residence. Tanks marked medical can be delivered.
I have a tank and own the bottle itself. So I take it and have it refilled. In that way I don't have a delivery problem. There is a "therapy oxygen" and medical but it has nothing to do with the oxygen but more the rate or concentration the oxygen is being administered. Breathing oxygen at a rate that is considered medical can be actually dangerous if not needed.
Unless I can see proof, I have to agree with the article (Link above) that the best way to get oxygen to the tissues of the skin is breathing. If you are going to use oxygen...breath it.