Microdermabrasion
Soften Facial Skin

What Is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a minor procedure that involves the skin being "sandblasted" by aluminum oxide crystals, vitamin C crystals and other types of mild abrasives to remove the horny (top) layer of the skin; dead skin cells. This process promotes the production of new cells in the basal (deepest) layer of the dermis. Microdermabrasion can clean your pores incredibly and hinder any future breaks outs if used on a regular basis. Microdermabrasion also stimulates collagen net working to further even out skin texture and appearance.

Are You a Candidate for Microdermabrasion?

The best candidates for microdermabrasion are individuals with acne prone and blotchy skin, small scars, rhytides (wrinkles), keratoses, large pores, milia (noninflammed whiteheads caused by keratin-clogged pores), or sebaceous hyperplasia. If you have sun damage or uneven texture and would like to improve the condition of your skin, you may be a good candidate for Microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is not recommended for those who have active keloids, undiagnosed lesions, recent herpes outbreaks, warts, active, weeping acne (stages 3-4), active rosacea, unstable diabetes or auto-immune system disorders.

Does Microdermabrasion Hurt?

Microdermabrasion does not hurt although it may sting a little around the eye area. The patient normally "works up" to a level as they go to increase the penetration to the skin. Your skin may feel a little hot and appear a little pink for the first day.

You should be perfectly fine that night. Although really intense microdermabrasion treatments may leave you pink for several days. The technician can turn down the controls if the suction or level of the "blast" is too strong for you.

What to Expect at Your Consultation

There really is no consultation as this procedure is not invasive. Your skin technician will examine your skin and determine a course which is customized for your own personal needs the same day as your treatment. This course of action may include the use of Hydroquinone or other melanin blocking products. It may also include a skin regimen to be used at home during your microdermabrasion treatments.

Preparing for Your Treatment

There really is no preparation although you should not be on Retin A or have undergone Glycolic Acid or Lactic Acid peels, etc. 2 to 3 days beforehand as this can irritate your skin and make it very sensitive. However, some skin specialists may instruct you to do so if they deem this process beneficial to your skin.

Also refrain from getting any sun burn or windburn beforehand for the very same reasons. You don't want to damage your skin further with microdermabrasion - you want to repair it or lessen the visual damage.

Your Microdermabrasion Treatment

Patients have attributed the sensation of a microdermabrasion treatment to a slight windburn. Although depending upon the level that you wish to reach the discomfort is usually quite minimal, if at all. The treatments typically last 20-30 minutes for the face, if your treatment includes the neck and upper chest area, it may last up to an hour.

A normal course of microdermabrasion treatments varies between 4-8 at approximately 2 week intervals. It is recommended that you schedule an additional treatment every 1-3 months to maintain your skin in excellent condition. Most patients actually feel and see a difference just after one or two treatments but schedule additional treatments to increase this improvement.

Please be advised, raised or deeply pitted skin areas (possibly from old severe acne scars) and darker pigmented areas will require multiple treatments. I must advise that while Microdermabrasion does help superficial problems, it is not the cure all for heavily damaged skin, it is a non invasive technique for those of you who do not need a serious laser or chemical peel treatment.

Microdermabrasion also can not be expected to remove tattoos, I don't care what your dermatologist thinks, It is not going to happen. They are lying if they tell you it will. It takes many sessions just for mild acne scarring to be removed much less ink buried deep into your skin.

The Road to Recovery

A rehydrating toner, moisturizer and sunscreen is applied to your skin prior to leaving the surgeon or dermatologist's office.

Some redness is expected after a treatment, however this is not likely to persist more than a few hours. The sensation of having a mild windburn or sunburn will also pass after a few hours. Applying a high quality moisturizer to re-hydrate the skin at this point will help.

•Avoid direct sun exposure for 7 days after a treatment. We do stress the importance of using a high quality sun protectant product as well as minimizing sun exposure. Exposure to UV radiation is one of the key factors in speeding the skin aging process.
Avoid alphahydroxy acid, glycolic acid products and skin exfoliation scrubs for 72 hours both before and after a treatment.
Avoid full face makeup, i.e. liquid foundations or pressed powder foundations for 24 hours after a treatment. Eye makeup, lipstick etc. may be applied immediately after a treatment.

Your skin will feel vibrant and healthy and you will notice an immediate difference in your softer, smoother skin. There is virtually no recovery time, no discomfort and you can return to work immediately.

A series of microdermabrasion treatments can help reduce the look of fine lines and superficial wrinkles, remove thickened skin areas due to the impact of environmental factors and reduce the appearance of blemishes caused by sun damage. Additionally, microdermabrasion can reduce the appearance of open pores by unclogging sebum (oil) build-up and eliminate white and black heads.

Risks and Complications of Microdermabrasion

There are not many risks associated with microdermabrasion if you are a "healthy" adult, but enough to mention for those of you with skin or medical conditions. If the medical grade machines are used at high power it carries potential risks of hyperpigmentation, perforation, bleeding, and infection. Infection can also be a risk if the machines are not sterile. Many components of these machines are meant to be sterilized, autoclaved or changed out with a new disposable piece. Any and all pieces that come into contact with your skin should be able to be sterilized or changed out. Furthermore, it was brought up by a doctor in an article on Medscape, that there could be possible harm from the inhalation of the aluminum in the Al2O3 crystals, also known as Corundum.

You should NOT have a microdermabrasion treatment on the affected area if you have the following

Undiagnosed lesions
Recent herpes outbreaks
Warts
Active, weeping acne (stages 3-4)
Active rosacea
Unstable diabetes
Autoimmune system disorders
Some patients hyperpigment post-op. Lower pressures are used on follow-up treatments for these individuals.

The Average Price of Microdermabrasion

The prices of a Microdermabrasion treatment may vary from $50. to $200.US, depending upon your region, machine type, and office type.

Microdermabrasion is sometimes performed in conjunction with certain types of facial plastic surgery procedures, such as eyelid surgery, facelift or  cosmetic nose surgery, but not typically in the same surgical session.