Review: Hitachi NC-550 Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine

About a month ago, I bought this Face Ion Cleansing device online.  It's a Japanese invention that's supposedly using charged ions to attract the debris / dirt on your face and in your pores.  I read reviews on a few beauty blogs and they all showed how this device works really well, so I decided to give it a shot.  Now I've been using this for a month - almost everyday, so I think it's about time to do a review.

Application:
I place a cotton pad in the slot, close the device and pour some toner on the cotton pad.  There is a white "Power" button that turns it on and has 4 intensity settings controlled by the gray button - from level 1 to 4, where 4 is the highest intensity.  I use level 4 as I find level 1 doesn't clean as well.  It has two metal plates that my hand has to make contact with when using the device, they're located on the sides.  Then in slow, circular motion, I move it around my entire face.  I tend to concentrate it around my nose.  After 3 minutes, the device auto-shuts off.  During the whole process of face cleansing, the device makes no sound to indicate it's doing its job.  The device makes beeping noises to let you know 3 mins is up.

Packaging:
It uses 2 AAA batteries.  It doesn't have the "hi-tech" packaging look.  It's very light-weighted.  Mine came in a box but I've seen ones that are sold in plastic cover.  Mine is pink but Hitachi also makes them in white and brown.  The online shop I bought it from, Cosme-de.com, only sells it in pink.  Sadly the packaging of the box and the instruction manual are all in Japanese.  Some English in there would have helped a lot.

Cost:
$70.20 USD (After 10% PayPal member discount; usually $78 USD @Cosme-de.com)

Thoughts / Results:
With or without using my Clarisonic Classic and a facial cleanser, before using this Hitachi Ion Cleansing Machine, I find a noticeable amount of debris/dirt on my cotton pad.  There's less dirt on the cotton pad after using my Clarisonic but visibly some debris on there.  I still haven't grasp the idea why Hitachi had to make 4 different intensity levels, since I find level 4 seems to be the best at deep cleansing, but I'll figure that out someday.

Clarisonic Classic + facial cleanser + Hitachi Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine

Facial cleanser + Hitachi Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine

One thing I don't like about this machine is the use of AAA batteries.  Supposedly, the batteries are to last 10 months, assuming I use the machine 3 mins per day.  I wish it wasn't using batteries but rather be a rechargeable portable machine.  It'd be easier that way, in case I didn't have AAA batteries lying around in the house.  If it were to use a rechargeable built-in battery, it could probably take less than 3 mins to achieve either the same or better results.
This machine is not abrasive on the face at all.  Although I think some improvements are needed, this is a genius invention.  It just further preps my skin for moisturizing and better absorption of my moisturizing products.  Though the price may be a turn-off but it still costs less than a Clarisonic.
I haven't seem many online shops that sell this product.  In case you want to know, I've checked eBay, Mihoko Shop and Rakuten carry this machine.

Product: Hitachi NC-550 Face Crie Ion Cleansing Machine
Rating: 4.5 / 5

Pros:
- Deep cleans my face using a non-abrasive method
- Light-weighted

Cons:
- Takes 3 mins, not a good feature as that's time-consuming (trust me, 3 mins will seem a long time)
- Uses AAA batteries
- Price is a turn-off