health notes

Microbubbles… A New Solution for Skin Issues

By Nancy Dewar

If your dog has a persistent skin rash, is often itchy and scratching or is simply kind of stinky; there is a new bathing technology that you might want to consider. It’s microbubble technology and it’s now available for bathing dogs with a special machine from Thera-Clean. Microbubbles are simply incredibly small bubbles that range between 3 and 20 micrometers. To put that in perspective, a human hair is around 70 micrometers in size. The Thera-Clean System, using nothing more than water, creates these tiny bubbles that penetrate hair follicles and pores, but not the epidermis (the top layer of skin), for a deep, healthy clean. While a normal bath cleans your pet’s hair, a Thera-Clean bath naturally cleans the skin too.

This technology, first used in Japan, is relatively new in the U.S. There are approximately 118 professional groomers and vets offering this treatment; one located right here on the Seacoast: In-Dog-Neat-O Grooming Studio located on Route 1 in Hampton (owned by Nancy Massett, a former veterinary technician). Nancy attended NASH Academy in Kentucky for her grooming education and has been grooming for 28 years. She learned of this new technology while attending a multi-day continuing education seminar on skin and coat health. Nancy then saw this process in person while attending the Pet Pro Classic trade show in Dallas last November and decided this was an area that she wanted to expand on; a service to help her clients obtain an overall healthier life.

This deep cleaning helps conditions such as skin infections, deep secondary skin conditions, skin allergies and ear infections. Other non-medical benefits include reduced shedding, less odor, help with general itching as well as stress reduction. It also is one of the best remedies if your dog happens to get skunked. Since these bubbles get deep into the pores, it makes a big difference in removing the oil and odor left from getting skunked. The procedure is easy. Dogs simply sit in a tub of warm water for about a half hour. The bath is infused with millions of microbubbles, and a wand is also waved over the dog to hit specific problem areas. In some cases, a plant-based enzyme is added to help remove any built-up crusty areas or heavy oils from the skin. The bath is followed up with a moisture spray. Most dogs do not get dried, or they are only partially dried; so the moisture is absorbed slowly into the skin. While some of Nancy’s clients simply choose a Thera-Clean treatment for a special SPAW day for their pup, many have found great success with skin issues. Following is what client Tiffany Hudson had to say about her dog’s Thera-Clean treatment:

Tucker After Multiple Treatments

“I was referred to Nancy for her Thera-Clean micro bubble treatment. My dog Tucker has had a skin problem for close to 2 years now. He has scabs that he itches constantly, and he ends up losing his hair. Everything I did never helped or cured his skin problems. I have tried multiple medications, changed his diet, to shampooing him multiple times a week at my groomers. Nancy was very knowledgeable on what she was offering. I have been with Nancy now for 3 months doing this treatment. Tuck

er now has no scabs, itches less and his hair has grown back. What she is doing is working for my dog. Tucker has an extra pep in his step leaving her shop every time!”

To learn more about this innovative bathing technology, contact Nancy Massett at (603) 601-2728. You can also find more information on the Thera-Clean website. If you have an itchy, miserable dog, this could possibly be the solution to get their tails wagging again! (InDogNeatNH.com) (Thera-Clean.com)