CHOOSING A SYSTEM

When choosing a light system for facial rejuvenation it is important to consider a number of very important points:

LIGHT SOURCES
DELIVERY SYSTEMS
CLAIMS
VERSATILITY / EASE OF USE
TRAINING /ACUPOINTS
PRICE / WARRANTY/ REPAIRS

 LIGHT SOURCES

Laser Light 

• Is monochromatic. It contains one specific wavelength of light (one specific narrow band of a color). 
• Is coherent and directional. The light appears as a beam - all particles going in the same direction. 

 Lasers come in a variety of intensities.  
Hot lasers use a high intensity light and are used to cut metal and glass etc. Some are used in surgery.  Their intensity can vary, and due to an ability to focus the light beam they can be used to remove tattoos, scars, layers of skin, hair, spider veins, etc.  Their action is by heat  - something is destroyed.  These are used only by medical professionals.
Cold lasers, soft lasers,  Low Level Lasers, use a lower intensity laser light.  An example of a Low Level Laser that is familiar to most of us is the laser pointer.  They are generally safe but can cause damage to the retina of the eye when exposed. These are currently being used to treat medical conditions thus requiring FDA approval. Quite a bit of research has been done - especially in veterinary acupuncture where laser light is used instead of needles. Successes include carpel tunnel syndrome, inflammation, and general surface conditions.

There is some indication by researchers that coherent light from Low Level Lasers can cause some physiological stress.  Since we did not evolve with laser light, but rather incoherent light (light that scatters in every direction)  the body attempts to break up the coherency (the Monte Carlo Effect).  Researchers at the University of Moscow found that prolonged application of laser light to acupuncture points caused the points to increase resistance or close up.

LED (Light Emitting Diodes)
An LED is a small semiconductor device that emits light when charged with electricity. The color of an LED is determined by the semiconductor material, not by the coloring of the 'package' (the plastic body).  LEDs are also available in different intensities, and they are usually placed in clusters - as appear in most facial handpieces.  These come in the visible spectrum, infrared and ultraviolet spectrums.  They also have a narrower band of light or color than regular light bulbs.

LEDs for facial treatments use visible and infra-red spectrum light.  Our bodies emit infra-red waves.  In fact anything we sense as warm or hot emits infra-red.   Heat lamps were common in most households in the 1960's to treat sore muscles and sprains.  This is the same type of  light that is emitted by near infra-red LED's

Monochromatic Light
The term "monochromatic" is very confusing but literally means "one color".
It is often misused to indicate a very narrow band of color of 15 nanometers or less and especially when referring to LED bulbs.  However, LEDs are listed by their average peak emissions, and some take that to be the specific band of color - when in fact it is only the average - although narrower than a regular light bulb.   For a 15nm band of color to exist using anything other than lasers,  filters are required to remove excess emissions.  These filters also filter out most of the light, and thus a light source must be intense. 

Intense Pulsed Light
The use of Intense Pulsed Light has been around since the 1960's.  Very intense pulsed full-spectrum light is filtered to allow a specific range of wavelengths to affect hemoglobin, pigmented lesions, or hair follicles. This is delivered either by a handpiece or by exposing the entire face to a broad array of lights.  The light source is sometimes a grouping of xenon bulbs.   These are much more intense than the 20 Watt bulb used in the Aura-Glo, and although both are pulsed the Aura-Glo does so in a gentle, safe and non damaging way.

Aura-Glo  Full Spectrum Xenon
The Wavelength of the Visible Light Spectrum is 400 to 700 nanometers (nm. - billionth of meter). Light is a unique nutrition and is the only form of energy which is visible.
For more information about Xenon click here.  The Aura-Glo system is safe, sterile and non-invasive.  The light is full-spectrum and color balanced and imitates the sunlight our bodies evolved with. The light is not "intense"  and beams out from a 1/4" optic fiber cable or the smaller cone tip. The Aura-Glo makes no medical claims, nor does it treat any specific conditions.  It literally works by assisting the body to heal itself, and by balancing and restoring the energy and meridian systems.  It is our firm belief that youth, healing and regeneration are closely linked to how well the body communicates within itself. Visible full-spectrum light plays an important part in reestablishing broken communication links and energizing cells to do their job more effectively and efficiently.

DELIVERY SYSTEMS

Choosing a comfortable  system is very important - especially if you are gong to be holding a light wand or something the size of a phone handset for hours each day. The most common are:
     LED clusters in handsets
     Laser Penlights
     Wands
     Light Panels

The Aura-Glo uses a patented  lightweight and comfortable light delivery system. The  six feet of optic fiber carries only the light from the Xenon bulb.  It transmits only light, and no electricity.  There is also no heat at the point of light output.    In addition,  there is a comfortable foam cushion where the hand meets the optic cable, to reduce any possibility of irritation after hours of use.

CLAIMS

Light works to achieve a variety of beneficial effects which seem to be relatively consistent among all companies selling light devices for facial rejuvenation - (other than those using hot lasers, and Intense Pulsed Light).  

Color and the various theories behind its application differ quite a bit, but the claims remain the same. They all discuss lifting, wrinkle reduction, pigment lightening, eliminating puffiness, reducing stress, balancing hormone production, etc.  The creative descriptions may differ, but it is easy to get the picture that all non-invasive, non-damaging light therapies have similar beneficial effects. The tricky part is figuring out which system might do it best - in the fastest, easiest, most comfortable, and least expensive way.

Question any company who uses "Before and After" photos which are intended to mislead.  Examine the lighting, shadows and color tone from the before photo and compare them to the after photo.  Only if the lighting, shadows, and color tone are the same should the photos be considered legitimate.  Of course with the computer programs that are available photo retouching is incredibly easy. In most of the before and after photos I have seen the lighting, and color filters are different in the before and after.

Anyone using the Aura-Glo knows they can treat only one half of the face, and ask opinions of bystanders if they see a difference between the treated and untreated halves, and the answer is always a consistent "YES".  When clients look in a mirror they are often skeptical and always judgmental about what they see - but with the Aura-Glo their closest friends, relatives, and children will observe a difference without being told about the light treatment. 

VERSATILITY / EASE OF USE

Any device you choose will have an influence on your clients - in more ways than just the facial benefits.  How will they feel during a treatment , and will they want to come back again and again?  Are their sensations pleasant, or must they conform to the "no pain, no gain"  philosophy?  Will you be able to use the device quickly and with confidence?

Some light devices come with no options, and some come with more possibilities than most estheticians will ever use.  You must look at how complicated a device may be to operate, and if it fits into your personal style, your spa, or salon, and where will it fit in your treatment room. Also consider how many treatments it will take to pay it off.

The Aura-Glo can be easily adapted to  existing treatments or programs you currently offer, or it can be used as a stand-alone treatment or item on your salon's menu. It can be used before or after  treatments you already perform. However, it is recommended that the face be cleansed and free of makeup prior to use. Treatment times may be adjusted to fit your clients needs and personal schedules.  The Aura-Glo may also be used with  protocols and  color recommendations of other devices you may have . The manual that comes with the Aura-Glo does include a treatment protocol, and discusses recommended treatment times. But remember that it can also be flexible.

• The Aura-Glo gives you the option of using a Cone Tip which is placed over the end of the optic fiber cable and allows for a smaller more focused area to be treated - such as acupuncture points

• You can choose to have a single or Double Optic Fiber Cable.  The double cable allows you to treat twice the area at the same time, or use one cable with the cone tip for focused areas and the other  cable to broadcast light to a larger area.

• The Pulse Rate is Adjustable from 2 - 20 pulses per second.

• The Optional Crystal Tip gives you further opportunities to enhance the the beneficial effects of light.

The Aura-Glo is easy to use.  You can feel confident and secure in knowing what choices to make and how to use the light after just a few treatments. 

TRAINING / ACUPOINTS

The Aura-Glo requires no training!  This saves you time and money.
Of course some will feel confident faster than others. If you generally question how good you are, then the same would hold true when using the Aura-Glo.  Some are confident with anything they are using.  But be assured, we are here to help with any questions and support we can offer to make you confident faster.  To operate:

1. You turn the switch on the back on.
2.  Adjust the pulse rate.
3.  Pick a color and place it in the slot at the top of the Aura-Glo.
4.  You hold the light from 1/2"  to 1 1/2" above the skin - moving in small circles  and following the facial chart  in the manual.  After you get used to using it you can adjust the manual's protocols if you wish.

Acupuncture Meridians and Points are part of the body, just like your nervous system.  They do not belong only to the study of oriental medicine or use by acupuncturists.  Ancient acupuncture systems used needles (which stimulate biophotonic emissions) because they did not have light systems available at the time. Light works in a much faster, and easier way than metal needles.

Meridians are the original pathways of electron flows from the sun.  Electrons moved in during the day and moved out into the sky at night.  If the earth did not move we would be baked or frozen. This electron movement when encapsulated, formed the energetic pathways (meridians) which nourished and allowed the development of all internal organs and systems.

The point in describing this is that you do not need to learn esoteric Oriental Medical theories, or  five element theory. etc.. You just need to place light on the  meridian points.   Russian research in the late 1970's found that the only places on the body that absorb light deeply are the meridians and they act like optic fiber. Current research shows that light interacts with the body in a number of dynamic ways.  It energizes cells, increases transcellular permeability, assists with removing free radicals, reestablishes the body's connective tissue communication network.  One of the most dramatic effects is that the blue range of light takes one out of the stress mode (Sympathetic Nervous System) and allows the body to start healing itself. The name will probably change in the future from acupuncture points to "Light Receptor Points".

Chakras  The Aura-Glo is also perfectly suited for those wishing to apply light to chakra points.  Energy vortexes are created as a result of moving liquids, moving gasses, and moving nerve energy.  The heart area is sensed as the largest chakra because of moving bronchial gasses, and moving heart pumped blood.   Many have felt improvement in sleep, energy levels, and ability to focus as a result of applying light to chakra points.  The Aura-Glo crystal tip is ideal for chakra applications. 

PRICE / WARRANTY / REPAIRS

Price is always one of the largest factors for individuals or for spas wishing to purchase multiple systems.  Pricing ranges from around $200 for the laser pointer type battery operated systems to systems over $12,000.  See what it is that you are looking for in a light system while trying to separate truth from hype and marketing. How many facials will it take to recover your investment? The Aura-Glo is patented, and we have made every attempt to make them available at a reasonable price.   The regular retail price is $1450.

Warranties and Repairs come with most systems - however problems can occur when it takes several weeks to have your system repaired and returned, and you loose client flow.  Some systems come from outside the US and may take quite a while and require large costs for replacement parts and shipping.  Your Aura-Glo will be repaired or replaced for any problem with materials or workmanship during the first year.  We are located in Arizona and our turn around time for repairs averages  3 days and we ship it back to you using Priority Mail (3 day service) or UPS 3 day service.  Even after the first year, if there is a problem with the bulb, we replace  the circuit board and bulb for $56. plus shipping and handling.