What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a light skin rejuvenating procedure that uses a mechanical medium for exfoliation to gently remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis. It helps repair facial skin that takes a beating from the sun and the effects of aging. Microdermabrasion works on all skin types and colors. It makes subtle changes, causing no skin color change or scarring. This type of skin rejuvenation is used to treat light scarring, discoloration, sun damage and stretch marks.It is not effective for deeper problems such as scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, or deep acne scars.
With microdermabrasion, there is less down time than with dermabrasion. Skin is temporarily pink but fully recovers within 24 hours. It doesn’t require surgery or anesthetics. That may help people who cannot take “down time” for healing. Microdermabrasion treatments use a minimally abrasive instrument to gently sand your skin, removing the thicker, uneven outer layer.
What microdermabrasion can do?
The ideal candidates for microdermabrasion are healthy adults who have relatively minor skin conditions or imperfections and realistic expectations about what microdermabrasion can and cannot do. Because microdermabrasion is a mild, non-invasive procedure that cannot remedy sagging skin or correct deep facial creases or folds, such issues must be addressed with procedures such as face lift, laser skin tightening, and
- Improve age spots and black heads
- Improve hyperpigmentation (patches of darkened skin)
- Exfoliate your skin, resulting in a refreshed appearance
- Lessen the appearance of stretch marks.
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduce or eliminate enlarged pores
- Treat acne and the scars left by acne
Microdermabrasion can be used to treat acne and the scars that acne causes. Microdermabrasion treatments can eliminate or greatly reduce the appearance of lighter scarring. However, for deep acne scars (known as “pock marks” or “ice-pick acne scars”) microdermabrasion may not be able to provide desired results. Deeper scars can usually be effectively treated with formal dermabrasion or an acne chemical peel. Patients with active acne may also benefit from microdermabrasion treatments, which exfoliate the skin and clear clogged pores of oil and dirt. Because the polishing action of the crystal and the removal of skin cells can aggravate acne, however, a consultation with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon is advised to help determine whether a patient’s acne or acne scars can be effectively treated with microdermabrasion.Microdermabrasion helps to thicken your collagen, which results in a younger looking complexion. Collagen is a protein in your skin that’s abundant when you’re a child and makes skin appear taut and smooth. Collagen production declines as we age, resulting in looser, uneven skin.
Microdermabrasion Procedure
Microdermabrasion is a fairly simple, easy, painless, non-invasive, non-chemical,skin rejuvenation procedure using a combination of a fine abrasive tip or crystals and vacuum suction applied to the skinto remove the outermost layer of dry, dead skin cells and reveal younger, healthier-looking skin.Typically there are no needles or anesthetics required for microdermabrasion.It is basically an exfoliation and skin rejuvenation procedure that leaves skin looking softer and brighter.
Traditionally, crystal microdermabrasion system contains a pump, a connecting tube, a hand piece, and a vacuum source. While the pump creates a high-pressure stream of inert crystals, such as aluminum oxide, to abrade the skin, the vacuum removes the crystals and exfoliated skin cells. The hand-held device streams tiny crystals across the skin and the attached vacuum simultaneously suctions those exfoliating crystals back into the machine, along with the dead or loosened skin.Each treatment will last about a half hour. You may feel a mild scratching as the procedure removes the superficial skin cells. Additionally, you’ll notice a vibrating sensation akin to a massage.
Alternatively, the inert crystals can be replaced by a roughened surface of the tip in the diamond microdermabrasion system. Sometimes a small suction system may be added to improve efficacy of the microdermabrasion.
This is done as an office procedure.
The newer approach uses a diamond-tip wand that is gently moved across your skin to exfoliate.
Microdermabrasion recovery
There is no down time or recovery period following microdermabrasion.
After your treatments, your doctor may recommend a special moisturizer or facial product to enhance and prolong your result.
Microdermabrasion Results
Your polished new look should be long-lasting, depending on the severity of your skin damage and the number of treatments that you receive.
Many people have two microdermabrasion treatments per month at first and then one per month as part of a maintenance plan.
Microdermabrasion Risks and Safety
Any discomfort experienced as part of microdermabrasion is usually short-lived. This can include redness and swelling, which should subside within a few hours. Later, you can expect the skin to be flaky and dry for several days.
Additional microdermabrasion risks include:
Some bruisingcan occur from the suction and this may last for a few days.
Your skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure. Be sure to use sunscreen, especially immediately following a microdermabrasion session.
Your Microdermabrasion Consultation
During your microdermabrasion consultation be prepared to discuss:
Your goals
Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use
Previous surgeries
Your doctor may also:
Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
Take photographs
Discuss your microdermabrasion options
Recommend a course of treatment
Discuss likely outcomes of microdermabrasion and any risks or potential complications
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon questions. To help, we have prepared a checklist of questions to ask your plastic surgeon that you can take with you to your microdermabrasion consultation.
It’s very important to understand all aspects of microdermabrasion. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your doctor.