Home Facials With Mira-Skin Ultrasound Skincare Device and Hyaluronic Serum

After being involved in a motorbike accident four years ago (was in neuro-intensive care and don't really remember a couple of weeks of my life), I was put on ultrasound therapy for a few weeks. My torn back and hip muscles were massaged two or three times a week with an ultrasound device after topical painkillers and muscle relaxants were applied. If that could help heal deep, complex muscular tissues and get me back to leading as active a lifestyle as I am doing now, imagine what ultrasound can do for damaged skin. Ultrasound facials are all the rage now, for skin tightening and repair.
It turns out that mitochondrial repair begins to slow down at 20, and hyaluronic acid in the skin begins to degrade after teenage - not at 30 as I had originally thought. Which means I should have begun anti-ageing treatment a few years AGO and not a few years later as I had intended.
Salon owner Anni Valentine had the genius idea of designing an ultrasound device for home use, to deliver treatment products more effectively to the skin, to rejuvenate it and to help heal wrinkles. Made by Swiss firm Mira of Mira-Water fame, the hand-held, wireless device comes along with a conducive ultrasound gel and a hyaluronic serum, though you can use the device with your favourite skin serum.

Scroll down for more about the Mira-Skin Ultrasound Skincare Starter Kit.

Before I tell you about the device, a word about my skincare history. I have not had a facial since December 2012, because of breakouts and because the procedures are always harsh on my skin - even the mildest massage, the least scrub they apply. So no massage. No treatment. "Pampering" was actually torture for my skin. I have incredibly acne-prone skin - see here. Some scarring. All I do is use a cleanser and moisturise twice a day, cover up my face with makeup in the mornings and acne treatment in the night. For some four or five years now. Harsh. It is a wonder I don't look 200 years old. Or even older. So I did not expect much from the Mira-Skin device (PR Sample) at first. But I always, always do a Bridget Jones and "persevere".

The Mira-Skin Starter Kit contains:

1. An ultrasound device
2. 50ml ultrasound gel
3. 15ml hyaluronic serum
4. A USB charger

Both the serum and the gel come in glass containers because plastics tend to release BPAs over time. Glass is safer and you can store the products for longer.
The Hyaluronic Serum and the Ultrasound Conducive Gel are both paraben-, silicone- and cruelty-free. Ultrasound always needs a conducive medium, which is where the gel comes in - that freezy gel they apply on your abdomen before scans. But this gel also contains hyaluronic acid.
The Hyaluronic Serum contains Hydrolysed collagen, Microcrystalline silver, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Omega 3, Frankincense, CoQ10, Alpha Hydroxy Acids and a host of other skincare-goodies.
It is a clear, semi-viscous liquid that is quickly absorbed on the face.

The main product in the starter kit, of course, is the ultrasound device itself.

You switch it on (and off) by holding a fingertip to the little button for a couple of seconds. The device automatically switches off after five minutes.

How do you know the ultrasound "works", given that the waves are soundless and form-less, and the vibrations just cannot be felt? Simple. Pour a droplet of water on the device head and watch it vibrate.

What are the benefits of ultrasound in skincare?

1. Healing, most importantly. Just as I told you about the muscles, ultrasound heals the skin as well painlessly. In fact, healing rate with ultrasound is three times faster than without it. It also promotes collagen and elastin production.
2. Secondly, micro-massaging with ultrasound gently exfoliates the skin and promotes cellular metabolism and lymphatic drainage.
3. Thirdly, it facilitates quicker and deeper absorption of skincare nutrients. Without ultrasound, only the topmost layer of the skin benefits from your skin creams and serums. Ultrasound helps deliver the nutrients deeper and ensures maximum hydration - see photos below. 

Without ultrasound:

(c) 2015 Techmira, Inc.

With ultrasound:

(c) 2015 Techmira, Inc.

Why hyaluronic acid?
You can use your favourite serum for this, but Mira-Skin recommends something with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronan does not promote bacterial growth, so it is good for acne-prone skin. It also provides hydration and reduces scarring.
Until recently, hyaluronan was used in "filler" injections despite the bruising and blood vessel-damage caused by facial injections. Which means the hyaluronic serum is a pain- and hassle-free way of plumping the skin and hiding signs of sagging and ageing.
One-thirds of the hyaluronan in your body is actually degraded and synthesised EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And, the rate of degradation is inversely proportional to the rate of synthesis, as you grow older. And, given the care I have been taking of my skin, I probably have none at all left.

(c) 2015 Techmira, Inc.

How to use the Mira-Skin Ultrasound Device:
Apply the hyaluronic serum - or your favourite skincare product - on the face and neck. Then apply a pea-sized amount of ultrasound gel. Avoid eye area and any open wounds or lacerations.
Now switch on the ultrasound device and gently - very gently - massage your face with the device, from the centre of the forehead, outwards to either side; from the sides of the nose, outwards towards the cheeks, and down on the neck.
While you can use your favourite skincare with the device, avoid essential oils, fruit acids and nanoparticles just before using the device.  
The whole procedure takes me about five minutes. Once I am done, I wipe off the excess ultrasound gel from the device and from the face with a damp face cloth and then apply Caudalie Vinosource moisturiser. That's it.
It is not advisable to use ultrasound more than two times a week on the skin (or more than 10 minutes at a time), so this is my routine every Sunday and Wednesday evening.

Results
The device gives me a gentle but effective facial without the breakouts that follow. My face definitely feels smoother and softer, which is a great relief, given how acne and its treatment have ill-treated my face recently. I have actually been asked if I had a facial the previous day.
During the process of a salon facial, I did feel tortured, but once I got up from the chair and stepped out, I felt like a million bucks. The Mira-Skin device makes me feel exactly like that - but without the torturous facial process. 

Verdict and where to buy
Using the Mira-Skin device twice a week, along with the hyaluronic acid, is the right start to my new and improved skincare routine. My first positive step to protect my skin. And, I have not had any new breakouts with continued use of the device.
Most importantly, it gives me a post-facial look without the hassle of going to a spa and without the harsh treatment they sometimes mete out to my skin.
The starter kit costs $349 and is available here. Hyaluronic serum refills cost $39 each while the ultrasound gel is $149. Worldwide delivery is available. If you add up the cost of ultrasound (or any) facials in the salon, then this device is a good deal.
Gripes? Hmmm... I would like to see the device in some nice colours, like the Clarisonic. Blue or purple would look good with my decor.

Do you use anti-ageing skincare? Tell me the deets in the Disqus comments widget below.

PR Sample. Opinions my own