About Microdermabrasion

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive and non-chemical treatment that uses a fine spray of microcrystals to help take off the top layer of dead, dry skin to help reveal healthier looking, younger skin. Micordermabrasion has also been shown to encourage new skin cells that have much more elastin and collagen in them, so your skin's look improves even more. Microdermabrasion is significantly more gentle than dermabrasion, which is more intense and most often used for the treatment of extreme sun damage, scarring and deeper wrinkling.

Microdermabrasion - How it Works?

Microdermabrasion is actually a term that generally covers a procedure where tiny grains of rough buffing agent are used to exfoliate the top skin layer. There are many different products and procedures that are used in this category. This includes a medical procedure, a salon treatment, and scrubs and creams that you use on your own at home. It's most often done to the chest, neck, face hands and arms.

The skin consists of two primary layers: the epidermis is the top layer, the dermis is the deeper layer. The epidermis is actually dead skin cells that sit above a layer of cells that are maturing. The uppermost layer is referred to as stratum corneum. This layer acts as a protective barrier between the world and the layers of skin below. It helps to prevent everything but the very smallest molecules of debris from penetrating.

When lotions and creams are put on the skin, some moisture will pass through the top layer, but most of it sits on tip. The top layer is where most of the minor imperfections such as wrinkle lines and blemishes tend to reside.

Microdermabrasion action only takes place on the upper most layer of the skin. Since this treatment only works with the epidermis, it should be called micro-epi-dermabrasion. If the deeper skin layers were affected, this treatment would hurt and could risk having the tiny granules embedded in the skin.

Candidates for Microdermabrasion

Those who have fine lines on the face, age spots, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, sun damaged problems with skin texture, clogged pores and minor scarring will be good candidates for this treatment. Patients who have acne or resacea might also find that they do will with microdermabrasion procedures. A gentle microcrystal spray helps to reduce and eliminate and improve the imperfections of the skin by working to buff away the top layer of dead skin cells and let the new skin show through.

Ideally, microdermabrasion candidates are adults who are healthy and have only minor skin imperfections and are realistic about what they expect as results. Since this treatment is non-invasive and mild, it does not help to ease skin that is sagging or work to eliminate the deeper creases and folds of the face and these issues should be treated with procedures that include face lift, laser skin tightening , or thermage, Those who do not have the time it might take to have an invasive skin treatment like laser skin resurfacing, dermabrasion, or chemical peels might also find that they do well with microdermabrasion.

What does Microdermabrasion treat?

Below is a list of conditions that cannot be treated with microdermabrasion:

Diabetes mellitus

Active rosacea

Fragile capillaries

Extensive acne

Herpes lesions

Warts

Open sores

Skin lesions

Eczema

Dermatitis

Psoriasis

Lupus

Microdermabrasion Cost

In general, the cost of microdermabrasion will depend on how much microdermabrasion a person needs, how many treatments will be done, how much the treating doctor charges, and your location. Microdermabrasion costs less than many of the other facial rejuvenation procedures, especially those that require surgery.

Microdermabrasion Benefits and Risks

Microdermabrasion is often called the "lunch hour" procedure because it is quick, safe and effective. It has many benefits including the ability to reduce and even eliminate signs of aging, facial lines, wrinkling and sun damage. It helps to improve the look of acne and other light scarring and it offers a healthy, fresh glow. All of this is done with no side effects and since it uses crystals that are non allergenic, it can be great for those who are chemically sensitive. Microdermabrasion doesn't pose any serious risks when a qualified provider does the procedrure. Some might notice that they feel some slight irritation, but since everyone's health history and skin is different, you should consider all risks and benefits of microdermabrasion before choosing this treatment.

The Procedure of Microdermabrasion

When the microdermabrasion procedure is performed, your cosmetic surgeon will use a device that is hand held to spray very fine crystals onto the skin surface to offer a gentle polishing of the skin. This helps to remove the top layers of the old skin. A treatment will most often take about a half hour to an hour and it might be necessary to have anywhere from five to twelve treatments at intervals of two to three weeks for best results. You should begin to notice improvements in the look of your skin after just one treatment, but these results are only lasting if you have many sessions that are done over several weeks.

There are two benefits that are especially appealing to many. They are the fact that the results are nearly immediate and that there is very little recovery time needed. Most often, in the amount of time that it might take you to have lunch, you can visibly renew the appearance of the skin and reduce blemishes to give your skin a healthy young glow.

What you can expect after a microdermabrasion procedure

After your first treatment of this procedure, you will notice that your skin looks pink or red, which will usually go away after a day. Redness can last a little longer after you have a dermabrasion treatment. Your skin might feel like it is wind burned or sunburned, but this feeling will often go away quickly. During a recovery from the procedure, you will generally notice improvements right away, but you won't see your best results until after you've had all of your recommended treatments.

Most will need more than one treatment to notice the best results. Treatments are most often done about one or two weeks apart and it might be necessary to have anywhere from five to twelve procedures. Some might need to have touch ups after the first treatment cycle.

Recovery from Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is also refered to as the "lunch hour" procedure because it is quick and can be done in your doctor's office on your lunch break with very little discomfort. The skin that is treated might look pink, but this very often goes away in just a few hours. You can put makeup on very soon after this treatment to help hide the side effects of the procedure. The results and recovery from microdermabrasion are some of the very best of the noninvasive rejuvenation treatments in the industry.

Results with Microdermabrasion

The results of Microdermabrasion are most often noticeable and immediate. Enlarged and clogged pores, mild acne and fine lines, as well as problems with the complexion and other skin problems are able to be treated using microdermabrasion. Also, most people will notice excellent improvements in the tone, color and texture of the skin that's been treated.

Generally, microdermabrasion will provide you with younger looking skin that is healthier and thicker. Over a full treatment course, the body can produce new skin layers that have higher elastin and collagen in the layers. This will help to improve the overall look of the complexion and offer the treated area with a vibrant, radiant glow.

Microdermabrasion Benefits

Microdermabrasion benefits offer convenience that makes this one of the most popular procedures possible. This treatment is often called a "lunchtime facial" because it can take as little time as a half hour at a clinic or dermatologist's office. Since the microdermabrasion procedure is painless and non-surgical, it is very effective at helping to provide a radiant glow to your skin.

Microdermabrasion works to exfoliate the dull and dead layers of the skin at the surface and encourage new collagen to be produced to help rejuvenate the appearance. Many people notice excellent results in the color, tone and texture of the areas that are treated after just a treatment. Microdermabrasion can also help to treat:

• Uneven pigmentation or poor texture
• Dull and oily skin
• Large pores
• Clogged pores
• Fine lines
• Mild acne scarring

 

The microdermabrasion benefits also help to increase circulation and the lymph flow, and help to promote the overall health of the skin.

Risks of Microdermabrasion

When a professional in the skin care industry performs this procedure, there are very few risks associated with microdermabrasion. Most of the risks are linked with unsterile conditions and improperly applying the treatment. Patients do risk getting infections when microdermabrasion parts and vacuum have not been sanitized correctly. When the treatment machine is used at a strength that is too high, there is the risk that the skin of the patient can be torn by the crystals used for the exfoliation of the skin. There is a slight chance that when applied incorrectly, the crystals can get into the eyes and irritate them. While rare, there are potential side effects that are negative with microdermabrasion, but will not be likely when the procedure is done correctly. You can reduce your potential for risks when you choose to have the treatment done by a qualified dermatologist.

Microdermabrasion Side Effects

Ere are normal side effects that have been linked with microdermabrasion that include an increase in the sensitivity of the skin and a risk for sunburn. These are side effects that do not last and are usually mild. The risks with microdermabrasion are very small and issues like infection have the potential to occur when the procedure is not done properly.

Benefits of Microdermabrasion on the Skin's Appearance

Microdermabrasion is most effective when the treatments are done as a series. Usually, there will be a total of six and they will be done once every seven to 10 days. You will see visible improvement after your first treatment in the form of healthier, smoother skin. After a few treatments, you will notice a decrease in the oiliness, and size of pores, and thick skin looks thinner. In some cases, fine lines and wrinkles even appear to be smoothed out.

Treating Acne with Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion has been effectively used for the treatment of acne and scarring. Treatments with microdermabrasion have been shown to reduce and eliminate the appearance of light scars. Deep acne scarring that is often called "pock marks" are often more effectively treated by using dermabrasion or the acne chemical peel procedure. Those who have active acne might also find that microdermabrasion treatments to help exfoliate and clear pore clogging dirt and oil are effective. Since the crystals used in this procedure helps to remove skin cells and can cause acne to flare up, a dermatologist consultation should help you to determine if your acne or acne scarring can be treated well using microdermabrasion.

Treating Rosacea with Microdermabrasion

Rosacea is an inflammation of the skin on the face that is chronic. With this condition, common effects are swelling and skin eruptions that look like acne, prominent blood vessels, and redness. Microdermabrasion is used to help decrease the redness that comes with rosacea. If you struggle with resacea and are thinking about having microdermabrasion, you should talk to your dermatologist because your rosacea can become worse with a microdermabrasion procedure.