I’ve heard a lot about these ‘zit zappers’ all through the Internet, but I’ve never seen something quite this …err…pretty. I can’t believe this cute little pink thing that looks like a mobile phone is actually a device for getting rid of your pimples. Wow.
This pink one is called the zeno and works by treating inflammations through heat. What? Heat cures acne? This is what zeno had to say on their website:
Zeno stimulates a heat-shock response in p. acnes, the bacteria causing at least 90% of all acne blemishes. Heat shock proteins, activated by bacterial cells under heat stress, cause the self-destruction of p. acnes within the lesion, reducing inflammation and allowing the skin to return to a healthy state.
This sounds great, and I’m eager to try one because it sounds a lot faster and certainly cleaner at treating spots than using something like …tee tree oil or apple cider vinegar (which can make your skin a little smelly and dry).
There are a few brands you can choose from that all seem to do pretty much the same thing. This one is the ‘thermaclear’.
Reading a few reviews and blog articles about these products started to get me excited and of course the uncontrollable impulse thought popped into my head “where can I buy one!?”. The main problem I can see with a device like this - and what is stopping me from buying one - is the cost. At $150 (or $189 if you want a pretty pink one - yes please!) it’s a hefty price to pay. Especially when you have to fork out a further $25 every time you need to replace the cartridge.
Until I can trial one out, you can read bellasugar’s review on her blog. She has a really useful table which compares the zeno and thermaclear devices.
The zappers work on inflammatory acne, so don’t bother using it to try and get rid of your blackheads. You can however treat an inflamed pimple as soon as it appears, so it’s good at preventing that really annoying and embarrassing pussy head.
Fran
Fran Kerr is the founding editor of High on Health. To cure your acne, sign up to Fran's FREE acne cure mini-course or download her latest how to guide, Eat Away Your Acne.
7 responses ↓
Wow, that’s certainly an unusual way of dealing with spots. Can’t say I like the thought of being zapped though and it’s ridiculously expensive for what it is.
Still, it’s great to see some non-chemical alternatives for treating acne. Hopefully the price will come down and it will be an option for more people.
Zeno I know by experience on;y treats red slow growing pimples NOT WHiteheads or Blackheads.
Hi GAbe, yep this is true. I bought one a few months ago and have been used it until it ran out. I did a video review on it too
I know this is an old article — but my grandma underwent a very similar treatment when she was younger, and it made her acne MMMUUUUCCCCHHHH worse. Treatments like these really depend on the person, I guess. Her skin fought back to the shock and irritation. And when the skin fights back … you get acne.
Hey everyone! I would definitely not use The Zeno zapper or anything like it. It *&%#@!ed my face up! When my acne was still grade 1 and 2, I used Zeno for several months to try and clear my papules and pustules. It left tons of scars on my face that I still have today. I eventually reached grade 4(cystic acne) and am now into my 2month Accutane cycle. The heat will initially bring the inflammation down but it is only temporary. Being an esthetician, I now realize that this heat was damaging and scarring tissue and cells at every use. Any rupture to the epithelium skin (through heat or through a puncture( as in a needle) = scarring. No and, if, or buts about it.
Zeno sound really good, but i checked out the price and it costs £100! which is too expensive for me to afford! Do you know any other zit zappers that may be cheaper?
x
I scarred from using Zeno as well. The key is to use it as soon as you feel a pimple developing, and use it sparingly. Done this way, it really does help “nip it in the bud.” However, if you use it throughout the life cycle of the pimple you will scar worse than if you left the pimple unattended.
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