I’m excited to introduce Maysama’s latest product launch – the Maysama Urchin.
Maysama Urchin is an innovative beauty device, which integrates sonic cleansing function with four skin rejuvenation modalities; microcurrent, LED light therapy and heat & vibration massage.
Sonic cleansing uses vibration massage with a soft silicone brush to provide deep cleansing action, as well as a beautiful relaxing ritual at the start of your skincare routine.
And our multi-benefit probe stimulates deep facial muscles to firm & tone, optimize absorption of skincare products and promote lymphatic and micro-circulation.
Image courtesy of @taliashani Instagram
Let me walk you through each function in turn so you can decide if this if for you. Or, if you have already made your purchase, how to get the most of our Maysama Urchin.
Unboxing
When you first receive your Maysama Urchin, remove your device from its protective wrapper and place it in the stand provided. The device comes already charged, so you can use it straight away. When you need to recharge it, you can simply charge your device by plugging the USB cable into your laptop or phone charger.
Before use, remove the tamper evident seal from the probe. Then, inside the box compartment you will find your silicone brush and charging cable.
Fit the silicone brush on to the probe. It’s should fit easily and snuggly on to the probe.
Sonic Cleansing
So, what is sonic cleansing?
Sonic cleansing uses a vibrating silicone brush head for deep but gentle cleansing and massage. Maysama’s Urchin cleansing brush is made of ultra-soft, non-porous silicon, with up to 6,000 vibrations per minute to help unclog pores, lift away dirt and impurities and leave your skin feeling clean and pampered.
Sonic cleansing provides a deeper cleanse than traditional cleansing and turns your cleansing step into a gorgeous relaxing ritual and much needed ‘me’ time.
Combining cleansing with facial massage helps relax myofascial tension and boosts microcirculation to helps deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells, as well as improve lymphatic drainage. It can also help decrease puffiness and reduce the appearance of pores.
I love that sonic cleansing with Maysama Urchin provides gentle exfoliation while cleansing. This is great for mature skin to help remove dead skin cells, revealing more youthful skin and also good for acne-prone skin to help clear comodones. What's more, removing dead skin cells, can help your skincare absorb better, so your skincare will work harder for you.
Maysama Urchin is compatible with all cleanser types, whether water, gel-based, balm or oil. So, you can use your favourite cleanser with this device. I love to use it with Maysama’s Green Rooibos Gel-balm cleanser because it is great for sensitive skin and it is fortified with oat beta glucan and organic oat milk to boost skin hydration and moisturisation.
Use your Maysama Urchin on the lowest setting for a gentle cleanse or increase the vibration for a deeper cleanse and exfoliation.
Once you have finished cleansing, detach the brush head and clean it in a bowl of mild soap and water or just under the tap. The silicone remains sterile because it is non-porous and has antimicrobial properties.
Skin Rejuvenation Prove
Detach the brush head to reveal an LED probe with pulsed red LED light, microcurrent, and heat and vibration massage.
LED is one of my favourite modalities because not only does it stimulate collagen production, but it is anti-inflammatory.
Maysama Urchin uses 630nm wavelength, to penetrate 2.3mm into the dermis. Red LED, in the 600nm wavelengths, above minimal stimulatory conditions, is proven to stimulate dermal fibroblasts to proliferate, promoting the production of collagen and elastin for better skin health.
Red LED also results in a reduced inflammatory response in acne and rosacea, reduces sebum production and pore size, reduces skin sensitivity and brightens skin. What's not to love?
Maysama Urchin uses pulsed LED light for better uptake of your skincare ingredients. The on-off action of the red LED light alters the viscosity of cellular interfacial water layers, causing the cell wall to expand and contract. As the cell contracts, it takes in nanoparticles which surround it. This therapeutic technique is used in medical fields as a drug delivery system but also works for uptake of skincare actives.
Microcurrent
Microcurrent is a non-invasive therapy, popular as an in-clinic or at-home technique for skin rejuvenation. Microcurrent is considered an electrical current that is applied in contact with skin or tissues by at least two surface electrodes. It is a form of electrotherapy used to stimulate facial muscles to reduce skin laxity, firm, tone and lift the face and smooth out fine facial lines for a more youthful appearance.
Microcurrent has been used in the medical field for years to promote tissue healing, as very low-intensity currents stimulate our cells' metabolic processes. Low-level microcurrent is closely related to the body's own bio-electrical activity and has been shown to support cellular healing and rejuvenation.
By definition, microcurrent is one millionth of an amp, with an amp being 1 unit of electricity. The effect of microcurrent in activating biological systems includes;
- increased cellular energy
- increased cell proliferation
- increased DNA transcription and protein synthesis
- proliferation and growth of the stratum corneum.
- increased blood flow and transportation of oxygen, antioxidants, ions, and nutrients in the epidermis, subcutaneous lipid layer, and blood and lymph capillaries of the skin.
Microcurrent is mostly discussed for increasing cellular energy, or more specifically the energy molecule, Adenosine Triphosphate [ATP]. ATP is produced from aerobic respiration performed by our mitochondria, the batteries of our cells, and it is used to fuel many biological processes, including cell reproduction, cell migration, the production of proteins, and muscle contractions.
As we age, mitochondria become less efficient and produce less ATP. The production of ATP requires a flow of ions, essentially an electrical current, so microcurrent provides the electrical flow that our mitochondria need to produce ATP.
Microcurrent inhibits the formation of free radicals and enhances the production of collagen type I & II. Together, these actions inhibit further reduction in skin elasticity and protein (collagen) degradation.
There isn’t a wealth of science studies on the topic of microcurrent, particularly in relation to skin rejuvenation, but there’s enough for us to understand the general principles of what low level current does for the body and the benefits of microcurrent for pro-aging.
Research by Basset, as early as 1974, shows that the application of an electric current to various biological systems results in stimulation of growth and tissue repair. A more recent animal study by Cheng shows that a small current of 10-1000 micro amps increases ATP by up to 500%. The same study shows that 100 to 750 micro amps increases the transport of amino acids into cells. These two processes contribute to protein production and muscle growth.
An in vivo study conducted at an Iranian Medical University in 2012, looked at the effect of microcurrent on facial wrinkles. The research study showed an average of 21% improvement in facial wrinkles one month after treatment and concluded that microcurrent causes clearance and lightening of the skin by inducing skin proliferation and renewal, and formation of a new layer of the skin.
These studies support that below 500 micro amps, microcurrent amplifies the production of ATP, which leads to the creation of structural proteins, like elastin and collagen. Independent references also cite that above 500 micro amps can lead to cell death (necrosis), so there is absolutely a sweet spot for micrcocurrent devices.
Maysama Urchin operates at a maximum amperage of 400 micro amps, in line with other microcurrent devices on the market.
Increased cellular energy helps mitigate decreasing elasticity and protein degradation, caused by the intake of free radicals. The stimulatory effect on ATP production and amino acid transport, contribute to increased synthesis of Type 1 and Type 2 collagen. Simultaneously, these changes lead to firming and toning of the facial skin, helping to fill wrinkles and lift sagging skin.
Depending on the intensity of the current used, the muscles may visibly contract or passively contract, which, with regular use, can help to train and tone the muscles. Maysama Urchin allows you to select from three different gears for microcurrent intensity, to suit your level of comfort and experience with microcurrent.
Microcurrent also stimulates blood and lymph circulation, oxygenates tissues and helps eliminate toxins. Aestheticians favour microcurrent facials for its ability to stimulate lymphatic drainage, which can help de-puff the face.
Maysama Urchin gives instant gratification, resulting in an overall lifted, sculpted and healthy appearance of the skin, as well as long term effects. When used as part of a regular regime, Maysama Urchin can increase muscle tone by speeding up the rate at which the body produces its own muscle proteins and fibroblasts. Consistent use, two to three times per week, is generally sufficient to see results over time.
Heat & Vibration Massage:
Last but not least, for a spa-like experience, Maysama Urchin warms the deeper layers of the skin and provides vibration massage to promote lymphatic and blood circulation. The vibration intensity can be selected at three different levels for your comfort.
How to Use your Maysama Urchin for Skin Rejuvenation
- Make sure your face is washed and oil free.
- The LED function is included primarily to help absorption of your skincare products, so ideally use water based or gel-based serums, not oil-based serums or creams, to better complement the LED function. You can use your Maysama Green Rooibos Pressed Serum with your Maysama Urchin. You might want to layer a hyaluronic acid serum for added slip, or an argiriline serum to target dynamic wrinkles. It’s a good idea to have a mist handy, to help keep your face damp, which helps the device glide over your skin, rather than drag your skin.
- Alternatively, as this is primarily an electrotherapy device, you could just use a microcurrent gel.
4. Target the jaw and neck area with this device. Start with upward movements from your chin up towards the ear, with light pressure.
5. When doing your neck, work from bottom to top.
How to clean your Maysama Urchin
To clean your Maysama Urchin silicone brush, simply clean it in a bowl of mild soap and water or rinse under the tap. Silicone remains sterile because it is non-porous and has antimicrobial properties.
To clean the probe, use a damp cloth or cleansing pad after each use. Do not clean the electrode surface of the probe with alkaline solvent, or alcohol.
Frequency of Use
Sonic Cleansing
Depending on your skin type, you may prefer to use sonic cleansing daily or just occassionally. For normal, oily or dry skin, or even acne-prone skin, sonic cleansing devices are considereed safe for consistent use. If, like me, you have rosacea, less frequent use would be advisable as microcirculation is increased, which could contribute to flushing.
LED Probe
When you first start using your Maysama Urchin, we recommend you always start with the lowest level of microcurrent, level 1. If your skin is happy, over the course of a week, you may increase the strength of the microcurrent gradually up to level 3. Once you have achieved level three, then continue to use your LED probe once or twice a week.
Consistent use of microcurrent provides a cumulative effect. So, regular practice once or twice a week can help lift, firm and contour the face, to reduce sagging and enhance elasticity. Or, if you have a night out on the town, then microcurrent is a great modality to use to give an instant visible lift for that red carpet look.
If you stop using the device regularly, the results will disappear over time, in the same way that your muscles would lose tone if you stopped going to the gym.
I hope that you love your Maysama Urchin as much as we do. If you have any questions please get in touch at info@maysama.com. We would be happy to hear from you.