Compression therapy is an age-old medical practice that has been used for centuries to help patients with various conditions. Its application is simple - by exerting pressure onto the skin, blood and other fluids can be effectively circulated throughout the body.
Flow on, Glow On: The benefits of Facial Compression Therapy
HYDROSTATIC AND OSMOTIC PRESSURE
To understand how compression therapy works, we first need to understand the concept of hydrostatic and osmotic pressure. Hydrostatic and oncotic pressure are what drive fluids in and out of blood vessels. Hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure that drives fluid out of the blood in the capillary bed. Meanwhile, oncotic pressure counteracts this by pulling fluids back into the capillary.
The arteriole end of the capillary contains incoming nutrient rich blood, ready to feed the surrounding cells and tissue. At this end of the capillary, pressure is higher, allowing nutrients to leave the vessel. While at the venous end, colloid osmotic pressure is higher. This is so blood is returned back into the vessel, allowing it to travel back to the heart to start it's replenishment process.
HOW COMPRESSION THERAPY WORKS
Compression therapy works to optimise the functions of hydrostatic and osmotic pressure. By exerting pressure on the skin and tissue, compression therapy improves the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid. The pressure that is applied helps to compress the blood vessels, which in turn encourages blood flow, and then increases the lymphatic vessels to expand and contract. Because our lymphatic system doesn’t have its own pump, it relies on increased blood flow to change the pressure within the dermal matrix.
There are various types and techniques of compression therapy, including pneumatic compression, gradient compression, and static compression. Compression can be achieved through massage, or with the use of special compression garments or devices.
COMPRESSION THERAPY FOR SKIN HEALTH
With an increasing awareness of the benefits of compression therapy, this unique treatment is becoming more popular than ever before. These techniques help stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation, which helps the skin heal and regenerate optimally.
Facial compression therapy is a non-invasive and effective way to enhance blood flow and lymphatic flow, leading to improved skin health.
1. INCREASED NUTRIENT DELIVERY
Facial compression therapy works by using graduated pressure to compress the surface veins, arteries, and muscles. This process forces the circulating blood through narrower channels and enhances blood flow, resulting in increased nutrient delivery. Increased blood flow and nutrient delivery mean that the dermis can better supply nutrients such as oxygen to the skin and tissue, promoting optimal cell birth, faster healing, and a reduction in inflammation.
2. ENHANCED LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Proper detoxification of the dermis is key for optimal delivery, absorption, and conversion of nutrients. It's what sets apart a healthy cell from a suboptimal one. Facial compression therapy is a fantastic way to boost lymphatic drainage, resulting in a clean and clear environment for your skin.
3. STRENGTHENING OF CAPILLARIES
Studies have shown that regular movement from increased blood flow promotes angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels) and improves endothelial function.
As you age, your capillary walls weaken, making you more susceptible to issues related to poor blood flow.
And further, the endothelial lining of your blood vessels plays an essential role in maintaining their health and function. A healthy endothelial lining helps your capillaries resist damage from things like inflammation and oxidative stress.
4. ACCELERATED HEALING
Compression therapy is often used to treat wounds and inflammation effectively. This is because it can help increase blood flow and oxygen to the affected area, and also helps stimulate the flow of lymph fluid back to the lymph nodes, where harmful substances are filtered out and destroyed. Once the excess fluids are removed from the tissues, inflammation decreases, as less fluid pressure means less pain and swelling, and the healing process is accelerated. This makes facial compression therapy perfect for skin conditions such as acne and slow healers.
Also, don’t forget that skin cells aren’t the only things that are made and nurtured in the dermis. The dermis is a fibrous structure that includes collagen, elastin, oil glands, hair follicles, and many other things we want to keep promote optimal maintenance and regeneration.
Flow with PRIN: Specifically designed to tighten and create a downward pressure on the skin.
The pressure exerted from the PRIN FLOW mask changes the osmotic pressure in the dermis, facilitating an exchange of nutrients and fluids between the dermis and subcutaneous layer.
By exerting pressure on the skin and tissue, compression therapy helps improve circulation, reduce inflammation and swelling, promote faster healing in wounds making it great for acne, and optimising cell regeneration for your healthiest skin.