Month: April 2021

Can you use a TENS Unit for Skin Tightening? We look at studies to see what the truth is and if it can help with loose, sagging skin.

As we grow older, one thing we notice as we look into the mirror is our sagging facial skin.

This is the result of our skin loosing it’s elasticity.

With the emphasis that society places on a youthful appearance, many people seek to halt and even reverse the aging process on their face.

Options for Skin Tightening

Until recently the standard treatment to erase the signs of ageing has been a surgical procedure.

During this procedure some skin may actually be removed and other skin tightened and lifted.

It has differing results; some people are so pleased with the results that they have several procedures as they age.

Of course there are people that are not as pleased after having the surgery.

Some people turn to injections of Botox, which is helpful to relax wrinkles and lines, thus giving the skin a smoother appearance.

Botox injections may or may not be used in conjunction with injections of filler.

Filler can sometimes give the effect of lifting and tightening the skin, thus giving a more youthful appearance.

These injections are usually done by a doctor in his office.

Microcurrent Treatment

A treatment that has become popular within the last 10 years is the microcurrent treatment known as the “lunch time facelift”.

This treatment uses the Faradic electrical current which is similar to the treatment of pain with a TENS unit.

This electrical current causes muscles to contract and therefore give skin the appearance of tightening.

It can be used tighten the neck and chin areas as well as to lift the eye brow and eye lid area.

The nasolabial fold (also known as the marionette lines) is another area where the tens unit can be used for skin tightening.

What is a TENS unit?

A TENS machine is a small, battery-operated device that has leads connected to sticky pads called electrodes.

You attach the pads directly to your skin. When the machine is switched on, small electrical impulses are delivered to the affected area of your body, which you feel as a tingling sensation.

The electrical impulses can reduce the pain signals going to the spinal cord and brain, which may help relieve pain and relax muscles. They may also stimulate the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.

TENS may be able to help reduce pain and muscle from things like:

• arthritis
• period pain
• pelvic pain
• knee pain
• neck pain

Benefits of TENS Unit for Skin Tightening

Numerous benefits can be had by using the TENS unit for skin tightening.

Improved muscle tone, lifted jowls and eyebrows, lymphatic drainage, improved circulation, and skin exfoliation are among the benefits.

The microcurrent is also very useful in helping skin care product to penetrate the outer layer of skin and work its benefits down into the lower layers of the skin.

Another plus with the microcurrent treatment is that it can be done in an hour.

There is no down time after having the treatment. Microcurrent treatments can be done by a licensed esthetician in a spa setting.

Studies on TENS Units and Skin Tightening

There was one study posted in 2016 where 30 volunteers, all women 35 Years to 55 Years old used a TENS unit once a day for 12 weeks.

The improvement in appearance were measured “by overall facial improvement assessed live by the Investigator and a subject assessment of facial appearance including the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).”

The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale is a five-grade subjective test. The physician and patient independently describe the degree of improvement in facial appearance. Possible responses were (1) Significantly marked improvement, (2) marked improvement, (3) moderate improvement, (4) slight improvement, (5) no improvement.

The results after 12 weeks showed the following scores:

GAIS (Investigator)
2.17 (0 to 4)

GAIS (Subject)
2.26 (0 to 4)

So both rated the improvement to their appearance as “marked improvement” which is one step better than “moderate improvement”.

Other Benefits of Microcurrent

Microcurrent has also been proven effective in instances of partial facial paralysis due to Bell’s Palsy and automobile accidents.

Improvement can be noted with the first treatment and continues to revitalize facial muscles with further treatment.

Results can be seen after the first treatment but are not lasting until the 6th to 8th session.

The treatments should be spread out no longer than 5 days apart. Maximum results are usually seen by the 12th to 14th treatment.

Maintenance treatments are recommended every four to eight weeks.

Is it OK to wear a TENS unit all day?

There is no one definitive answer to this question. Some people find that wearing a TENS unit all day helps them feel better, while others find that it becomes uncomfortable after a while. You may need to experiment a bit to find what works best for you. If you do wear a TENS unit all day, be sure to adjust the settings as needed so that you remain comfortable. And if you experience any side effects, such as skin irritation or nausea, stop using the unit and consult your doctor.

Does a TENS unit help with inflammation?

There is some conflicting evidence on whether or not a TENS unit can help with inflammation. Some studies suggest that it can help, while others show no benefits. More research is needed to determine whether or not this is an effective treatment for inflammation.

What are the side effects of a TENS machine?

There are a few potential side effects of using a TENS machine, though they are generally mild and temporary. The most common side effect is skin irritation or discomfort at the site of the electrode pads. Other possible side effects include headaches, dizziness, muscle twitching, and nausea. If you experience any of these side effects, simply adjust the settings on your machine or stop using it altogether. As with any new device or treatment, be sure to consult with your doctor before using a TENS machine.

Can TENS damage nerves?

There is no evidence to suggest that TENS can damage nerves. In fact, TENS has been found to be an effective treatment for nerve pain.

Pesky wrinkles can seem to appear out of nowhere.

It usually doesn’t matter how much time and effort you put into caring for your skin as they can appear even on a surface that’s taken care of like gold.

Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can delay wrinkles or keep them from being too prominent.

Vicks Vapor Rub is a product that you can try that you can easily apply to your skin every day or a few days a week.

Starting On The Sides

An area of your face where you’ll usually see wrinkles before others is on the sides near your eyes.

These usually appear due to creases from smiling.

Apply a small amount of Vicks Vapor Rub for wrinkles on the sides of your face, leaving it there for a few hours so that it has time to penetrate the skin.

This simple step can help decrease the number of wrinkles on the sides of your face and can often keep the severity of wrinkles to a minimum.

Consider the Vicks as though it’s a type of lotion that you apply to your skin when you begin to see wrinkles forming or so that you can prevent wrinkles for as long as possible.

Showering

While you’re in the shower, try to use soap that’s moisturizing.

This can help prevent your skin from drying out, which often leads to wrinkles forming on your face and other areas of your body.

After getting out of the shower, apply Vicks Vapor Rub for wrinkles to decrease the number of wrinkles from forming.

Diet Changes

Another way to reduce wrinkles is by changing a few things in your diet.

Try to drink more water during the day.

This simple step can keep your body hydrated, which can work in conjunction with lotions and Vicks Vapor Rub to keep wrinkles from forming or to keep those that do form to a minimum.

Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can keep your skin healthy as well as these foods have essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to stay healthy, which in turn will keep your skin healthy and youthful.

Limit The Sun

Although being outdoors in the sun usually feels pleasant, you should try to limit the exposure you have as it could cause wrinkles to appear sooner rather than later.

If you get sunburned, you can use Vicks to help relieve the pain that you feel and to help keep moisture locked in your skin, which can then help with decreasing the number of wrinkles you might have.

Apply sunscreen as much as possible if you’re going to be outdoors for an extended time to decrease the number of wrinkles as well.

Most of us know Vicks VapoRub from having a cold or a chest infection and having a parent place this on our chests when we were children.

Although we tend to know Vicks as an excellent remedy for colds and congestion, it has become something of a cure-all for a range of medical problems and home remedies for problems including puppy potty training to keeping biting insects away from you.

One of the most popular options for using this product is to use the strategy for Vicks Vapor Rub for warts and their removal.

What is Vick’s?

The development of Vicks began in the 1890s when a North Carolina pharmacist, Lunsford Richardson created a new form of ointment known as Vick’s Pneumonia and Croup Salve.

The difference between this and other forms of rubbing lotions is the introduction of the Japanese ingredient, Menthol.

Over the course of the next 20 years, Vicks was developed and became a popular option during the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1919.

How to treat a wart with Vicks VapoRub

There are many different options for you to choose from when it comes to using Vicks Vapor Rub for warts, including combining this rubbing lotion with duct tape.

Many people who are looking for home treatment for warts have not considered the menthol power of Vicks VapoRub that makes it easy for a wart to be removed with little to no damage.

A wart itself is simply a fleshy lump on the skin or a mucous membrane that rises above the skin, usually close to joints.

To use Vicks Vapor Rub for warts, the individual has to try and keep the wart in a confined space for a few days away from the air.

The first step is to rub Vicks on the affected area and make sure it is covered with a liberal amount.

The next step in some home remedies for wart removal is to place a piece of duct tape over the wart and leave it there for several days.

After around five days, the duct tape can be removed and the wart should have been removed and any hole in the skin covered over.

Other ways of using Vicks for warts

Some members of society have been using Vicks for many different reasons for decades, including to break down damaged skin and blood vessels making up a bruise.

A similar result is achieved by using Vicks Vapor Rub for warts when the wart is simply treated by rubbing the lotion on the affected area and leaving overnight.

This is a common remedy for those who are affected by periungual warts on and around the nails on both the hands and feet.

By using Vicks, these kinds of warts can be made easier to remove and often disappear overnight when the lotion is applied on the surface of the nail and around it.

Vicks vapor rub is known to provide relief from many ailments and aches. Perhaps a stuffy nose, chest congestion, or even muscle pain.

However, curious individuals would want to know if Vicks can be effective for skin care, specifically for treating dark spots.

Vicks Vapor Rub For Dark Spots: How Can It Be Used On The Skin?

Vicks vapor rub is typically applied on the surface of the skin to relieve colds and chest congestion.

This topical liniment is known to provide a cool sensation and vapors known to dry up mucus and reduce the irritation of nasal passages.

Since Vicks vapor rub is already used on the skin, many would wonder if the ingredients of this liniment are effective for treating skin problems.

Coincidentally, the Vicks ingredients below are beneficial for the skin:

• Eucalyptus: This ingredient is anti-inflammatory in nature. If you suffer from newly formed dark spots, the eucalyptus from Vicks may help in reducing the appearance of skin lesions such as stretch marks.
• Camphor: Camphor is another ingredient in Vicks that is anti-inflammatory and known in the natural remedy community as an acne-buster. Thus, putting camphor combined with eucalyptus may increase the effectiveness of fading out scars.

Some people swear by applying a thin layer of Vicks once or twice a day on their scars with positive results.

Most recommend only applying Vicks when there are no open wounds, as menthol and camphor feel harsh and can be dangerous on broken skin.

Nevertheless, a lot of articles point to this natural remedy being effective for dark pigmentation.

What Are The Possible Downsides?

Despite the mentioned substances that may make Vicks vapor rub an effective remedy for dark spots, there is also another ingredient that could become a culprit of more scarring, which is why some people should take a moderate approach when trying this remedy.

Petroleum jelly is what gives Vicks its texture. The greasy texture, when applied on the skin can cause blocked pores, acne, and potential scars.

If you have a sensitive or oily skin, using Vicks on your face to remove dark spots may not be effective.

Nevertheless, if you aren’t acne-prone, you can try this remedy for a couple of days.

How Do I Begin This Remedy?

Vicks vapor rub for dark spots may be uncommon, but it doesn’t hurt to try if you don’t have allergies, open wounds, or acne-prone.

To begin the remedy, you can follow these steps:

• Clean your face or body part with soap and water, making sure to remove excess oil.
• Apply a thin layer of Vicks on the area of the dark spot, and wait to see if there’s a reaction. If there’s any itching, pain, or negative side effect, stop your use and consult a physician when necessary.
• Do this daily at least once or twice a day, and take note of the results.

Dark spots can be difficult to remove–and oftentimes experts tell us that the only thing that completely heals these unsightly pigmentations is time.

However, it can be helpful to try some remedies such as Vicks vapor rub to hasten the process.