This intense skin treatment is a truly invigorating experience.
Nicknamed "Hannibal Lecter," Galvanic Facials send an electric current through a beige mask that excites the skin, promoting moisture and reducing acne breakouts.
But the glass skin comes at a cost to your wallet, at least. Prices vary by location and duration, but USA Today estimates that galvanic facials cost about $180 per session.
While evangelicals chasing young people praise it, experts warn that the treatment may not be as deadly as it seems (not to mention the lack of research on the subject).
"Facial rejuvenation is not well studied," says New York dermatologist Dr. Munib Shah
With the exception of one study, they noted that little or no skin-enhancing research had been done on Galilean facial features, even though fashions come and go in "waves" every few decades.
"Now it's coming back because it's so visible on social media that you want to wrap your face and a towel around it so you can look like Hannibal Lecter," he said of the practice named after the serial killer. role.. Author: Anthony Hopkins. . In the 1991 thriller The Silence of the Lambs.
Los Angeles editor Emily Bernstein went to raves earlier this year and headed to Marianne Kehoe's SoCal skin studio for an electric treatment, wearing wet washcloths to her face with a brown Lecter mask.
In a video posted on YouTube, Bernstein records the entire process from start to finish, including tasting the metal under his tongue as the electric current passes through his skin.
"Hannibal's face is to die for," he said, looking at his reflection and glowing skin.
But Shah doesn't expect any long-term benefits for the brave souls who brave the treatment, which has the potential to "increase the penetration of skin care ingredients."
"On the other hand, it has been proven that one of the main effects of galvanic energy is to increase blood flow," he explained to the Post, which can worsen the appearance of prone varicose veins or facial features. . .
Those who have a pulse or other metal in their body should avoid galvanic facial expressions due to electric current.
Worse, the "devices are poorly controlled" and pose a risk of burnout if the technology fails.
"It looks a little barbaric," Shah said of the mask.
"So my concern is that one of them is short, because there's a little bit of water, and then you might have some burn or some localized skin thing."
But if everything goes well for the average person, at most they can leave feeling like they've gone for a run, "where they're a little refreshed," he adds.
"It gives you an improved look temporarily, but probably not long-term," he said.
Although the technique is similar to iontophoresis (a treatment used to stop sweating in the palms and underarms), Shah recommends following tried and tested methods.
He said the traditional face mask device is "easier" and more "standardised" and "safer".
"Galavanik's face was not verified, no one was," he said.