I have used the Clarisonic MD from a dermatologist for years. He said it would stave off the decrease of collagen and I think it has. By this stage of the game, I should need fillers, but I don't. Mine is one speed, but if I were purchasing a new one I'd move up to 2 or 3 speed. I think you will find you will use it more than on your face, so get a couple of brush heads. I have tried almost all the different heads, but keep going back to the "normal". I especially disliked the pore minimizer brush head. It was not invigorating in the least, equivalent to a wash cloth.

Great, thanks for the replies. Mia 2 stuck in my mind as the generally preferred model but I couldn't find the thread to confirm it. I especially appreciate the recommendation for sensitive skin... and discounts!

Gardener123, I had no idea it would help with the loss of collagen. I wish I had ordered one 5 yr ago!! But all the more apropos as I am buying this for my 52nd birthday!

If you want it for face only a Mia would seem to be approriate, smaller and less expensive. If you think you might want to use it on your body or feet, you might want the larger size. I got what I think they were calling a pro at the time -- 3 speeds and body brush. Looks like they call the new version of that a Smart device. I like the multiple speeds and have enjoyed the body brush when I use it. They didn't have the Mia when I bought mine.

I would look around and see if you find any sales or special sets. I would expect to see some as Mother's Day approaches. Noticed this morning that Macy's has the Mia2 on sale for $119 with free shipping if you order online,

I pretty much ditto everything silver comet wrote. I had one of the originals that I won as a door prize. Still have it and just took it to the lake and bought a Mia 3 with 2 speeds as I was used to that. I also would recommend starting out with a 'sensitive' brush and a low setting and then working your way up if you think you need to do so.

I ran across replacement brushes for a steal on Groupon about a year ago but haven't seen them since. I bought 3. I'm not super diligent about checking Groupon though, but you might check now and then.

I have the original Mia, too, with one speed. I've had it for a few years, and I don't use it as often as I should but when I do use it consistently, I feel like my face looks clearer somehow. There are at least a few different types of replacement brush heads and I think they have one specifically for sensitive skin. I use it with Cerave cleanser.

I used obagi gentle cleansing foam, and within the last year switched to the Obagi C. It's always on sale someplace (dermstore, drugstore.com, skinstore...), and I only need to buy 2-3 per year. It is fairly concentrated and a little goes a long way.

HAPPY HAPPY Birthday Funky!!!

Does the Mia 2 come with certain brush heads? It's still available for $119 at Macy's online in different configurations and some possibly discontinued colors.

Most of the colors of the Mia 2 come with the "Sensitive" brush head - it's the brush that's all white with a black ring in the middle. Some are packaged with a special brush, for example the "Radiance" head (pinky peach ring around the middle), or the "Acne" head (green ring around the middle). The website describes all the different brush heads. The facial brush heads are interchangeable though, so if you buy a regular Mia 2, you can always buy a special head separately and use it with your Mia 2 no matter what it came with originally.

I have the Mia2 and love it! My face feels so cleansed and refreshed and I think it allows skin products to work more effectively by good cleansing. I bought mine when Clarisonic had a sale. The charge on the battery lasts forever!

What is the best head to start with? I don't have sensitive skin and use a cream with Retin-A at night that I tolerate well.

You could probably start with the head that comes with it and just start on the low speed with the Mia 2. Follow the instructions well. You don't actually 'scrub' your face hard with it. It works off the action of the vibration of the head near the surface of the skin as you sort of hover it over the skin with a slow movement. Use the same cleanser you normally use to wash your face and you should be fine.

Outside, thanks. I wonder if this is something I'd stick with. I thought my battery toothbrush would be something I'd use all the time, too. Alas, no. Maybe actually seeing skin looking better would be my reward.

Linelle, which toothbrush did you have? I can't be without my sonicare. It travels every place I do. Very long charge life, over a week.

About the Clarisonic, I would recommend it even if you don't use it every day. I think even just once a week would be worth it. It's like getting a facial. I've used it for over ten years...

Both of these products were developed by the same fellow.

Thanks everyone! I am going to check prices and order tonight!
I didnt really think of it as an every day adventure but given that I wash my face everyday :) perhaps I should be thinking of it that way.

I have a facial cleanser I really like that I expect to continue using until it runs out-- I bought it at the spa and they have switched lines so I'll be looking for something new next time around.

Anyone have luck with any pore minimizing products? I really hate to add something to my routine but if I can find something that works, this is something that I'd notice and value!

Gardener, it's a Braun Oral B, a Costco special several years ago. I dunno, maybe it was that one extra thing on the counter. Brushing my teeth at night is the last thing I do before I go to bed and I must have been looking for a shortcut. :)

I think I'll treat myself to a Mia 2. Reviews here are very good.

(and thank you, Gardener123!! You are very sweet!)

Linelle, I was thinking the Clarisonic might be a fad for me but I really enjoy how fresh my face feels after using it and I actually look forward to a routine that I used to not like. I use mine every evening.

I ordered the Denim one for $119. Seemed to me the only difference between that one and the $149 ones was it wasn't their current set of colors. I'd have even gotten a pink one to save money. Can't wait to try it out.

I too use mine almost every day. It has come to the point that if I do not use it I don't feel like my skin is as clean. BTW, I get emails from Clarisonic, and today they are offering a free extra brush with purchase.

I had a Mia I and loved it! When it played out, I got a Mia 2. Has anyone noticed a type of 'burp' or brief pause as it is operating? It just didn't seem right. They were very cooperative at Clarisonic and I sent it back. I need to replace but not sure which one.... Anyway, wondering about the 'hiccup'. Thanks!

Well, I'd been thinking about one for awhile and because of this thread I finally went out and got one. I've only been using it for a few days, but I am really loving it. I have large pores and never felt like my skin was getting clean. My DD who has always had flawless skin is, at 17, starting to break out quite badly wants one now and I think I will get her one. I just got the Mia as finances are tight right now and it was cheapest.

Lovemrmewey, I have the Mia2 and have never noticed a brief pause during operation. It sounds like you had a defective one.

Daisychain, I would have been as happy with a Mia as the Mia2, I thought it would be nice to have two speeds but I only use the one speed anyway.

The brief pause may have been the Mia 2 telling you to move to the next zone on your face. Clarisonic divides your face into four zones, and recommends that you spend 20 seconds on your forehead, 20 seconds on your nose and chin, and 10 seconds on each cheek. The device has a timer in it and does a little buzz/split second pause thing to tell you that it's time to change zones.

My Mia2 just arrived!!! Coincidentally I got some filler today and think I will give my face a break for a few days. Can't wait to try it out.

Mine arrived today also.. can't wait to get into pajamas and give it a whirl!

Hmm - this might be the perfect Mom's Day gift - for me! The kids are already asking what they could give me and it's so much easier on them if I can offer a suggestion. I really like it when I think of something that's both practical and reasonably priced.

I gave the Mia2 for my DD and my DDIL last Christmas and DD mentioned that she loved it. Now that they've had it for over a year I should check with them to see what they think.

Funky - hope you have (or had) a Happy B. Day!

Maire

Thank you, Maire-cate. I had a lovely day- spent my birthday at the hair salon. Added a mani/pedi to my normal hair/brows appt. Left there to spend the rest of the afternoon with my bff on her deck.. she had a lovely spread with guacamole, mushroom bruschetta, tapenade and a few other nibbles. Was perfect!

I can't give much feedback as I've used mine once so far-- but I do like how it works! I think it would be an awesome mother's day gift!

I've been using it for a few days now and I am thrilled. I also use a retin A type product and I think it works better in conjunction. I have huge pores and, coudl be my imagination, but I think they look better already.

Ulta has a couple advertised, Mia 1 and Mia 2, both come with some extras. Might be worth a look if anyone is considering purchasing soon.

Tonight's the night I take mine on its maiden voyage. A couple of rather obvious questions for you veterans:

Do you first remove your eye makeup?

After you've done your minute with the Clarisonic, then you rinse as usual?

I am not a veteran but the instructions say to remove all makeup. I did a crappy job with makeup removal last night but it did wash right out of the brush. I use a water based foundation though, I'd think an oil-based foundation might be more problematic.

I do rinse after.. and I rinse the brush.

Remove it all first? I'm glad I read this here, because I missed it in the instructions, or maybe I just blocked it out.

So I clean my face in the normal way, THEN use the Clarisonic? This isn't so much then about cleaning but stimulating? Removing what normal cleaning can't? I thought it was just a super way to clean your face.

Hmmmm, I think since it's essentially a cleansing tool it is supposed to clean the make up off. Why else would they tout that it cleans X number of times better than just washing your face normally? Perhaps they recommend removing eye make up first?

You are right, Holly. I pulled the instructions and reread.. remove eye makeup by hand first. Sorry for the misinformation!

I have never washed my face first. I do rinse after and rinse the brush.

Thank goodness that's been cleared up. I want a good clean, not necessarily another step.

Well, that was nice. I did remove my eye makeup first, which was a first, since I usually just wash it off with everything else.

The minute flew. Do you guys ever do it for longer than one minute, or would that be foolish? Do you use it morning and evening? I always wash my face in the shower in the morning but could rethink it, although I like my shower routine.

I use a spin brush and I use it for what seems longer than a minute. I use it in the shower in the morning. I have kicked around the idea of a clarisonic which I know vibrates or pulsates instead of spinning. If I were you, I'd stick with the minute for at least a week assuming you'll use it everyday and then try longer if using daily for the minute does not irritate your skin. I could see doing a minute on your face and then a minute on the neck are and a minute on your chest...

Oh Funky, I'm glad because I don't need an extra step either. Linelle, I did two cleansings once and my face seemed a bit red afterwards but my skin is sensitive. I use mine at night at the sink and a Mary Kay spin brush that I use in the shower in the morning. If my face starts to feel irritated I cut out the spin brush for a few days.

I used mine last night on the faster speed (up arrow) and my skin felt happy, not irritated at all. I guess I don't have sensitive skin. I have used a peel and bleach cream (with Retin-A) every night for the past 10 years and gently rub with a washcloth in the morning without issue. I tolerate the cream well, but if I didn't exfoliate with the washcloth, I would get a bit peel-y around my chin.

I won't force things with the Clarisonic for a while. I'll wait and see how it goes. I figure it's got to be so much better than merely washing my face with my fingertips.

I have pretty sensitive skin and I have done fine so far.. granted it has been less than a week. I like to do it in the morning but I always do it at night. I am going to guess that 2 of the last 5 days I have used it morning and night.

I will say this.. I didn't like using it WITH my makeup on. I felt like I was just circulating the dirty old foundation across my face! I wasn't wearing any over the weekend-- but every work day, I do.

I used to always use it in the a.m. but then watched a video on QVC in which they demo'd it used after washing make-up off with cleanser and then followed with the Clarisonic. It was impressive how much residual make-up was on the Clarisonic brush following the first cleansing. That visual changed my habits and now I wash my face with cleanser and eye make-up remover followed by the Clarisonic.

Also, FYI, it seems I heard or read somewhere that the Clarisonic is intended to be used only once a day.

I plan to wash my face the old way, then use the Clarisonic to get a better clean.

I'm not sure if I expressed correctly what I did. The time that I did it back to back I meant I did two one minute treatments. I could probably use it morning and night but the spin scrubber works fine in the morning because my face was cleaned the night before. The spinning just gives me a bit of a glow.