Microdermabrasion can be done as frequently as weekly or up to every eight weeks depending on your skin’s tolerance and desired cosmetic effects. Many people choose to start with weekly portfolio for three sessions, then change to a monthly maintenance regimen.
Much like brushing your teeth, it helps to gently remove skin debris. Since human skin typically regenerates at approximately 30-day intervals, skin improvement with it is temporary and needs to be repeated at average intervals of two to four weeks for continued improvement. Usually, multiple portfolio (six to 12 sessions) are recommended to see a significant improvement.
What does the vacuum do in microdermabrasion?
The vacuum part of microdermabrasion has four basic roles:
- Gently pulls and lifts a small section of skin for micro abrasion.
- Can spray a stream of crystals across the targeted skin area.
- Focally stimulates blood circulation and creates mild swelling in the skin.
- It collects the used crystals and dead skin in a receptacle for easy disposal.
What should people expect before, during, and after microdermabrasion?
Generally, softer and smoother skin that feels fresher and more rejuvenated is the expected outcome after microdermabrasion. Before starting the microdermabrasion treatment, eye protection such as eye pads or goggles may be placed. Often the skin may be prepared and cleaned of makeup and oils. Yet, no tlocal anesthetic requir. The skin will be stretched to provide some tension in order to achieve the most effective abrasion and vacuum. The hand piece move over the skin with repeated single, smooth passes. Usually, two to four passes per area are sufficient.
Mild pinkness of the skin is the desired outcome and usually resolves within minutes to hours after microdermabrasion. In addition, mild exfoliation of skin may occur as well. Continuously apply moisturizer or ointment if exfoliation occurs. Patients may also experience mild sunburn-like sensation for a few days. Moreover, liberal application of sunscreen recommend as photosensitivity may increase after treatment.
It may help stimulate the production of collagen, thereby helping skin rejuvenation. As age spots from photoaging and fine lines are diminished, the skin may become softer and smoother. The results are modest, however.
What are possible side effects of microdermabrasion?
Potential side effects of microdermabrasion are minimal and this is a very safe procedure. Potential drawbacks very limit in that microderm only affects the epidermis, which is the outermost skin layer. Common minor, temporary side effects include slight skin tightness, redness, bruising, and sensitivity. As a general rule, the greater the potential benefits with a cosmetic treatment, the greater the potential risks and side effects. The possible risks with more aggressive portfolio like dermabrasion and laser are much greater than microdermabrasion.
Possible side effects of microdermabrasion include
- skin tightness,
- redness,
- minor bruising,
- skin sensitivity,
- post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH),
- small skin abrasions,
- spots of bleeding,
- eye-skin bruising ,
- fine broken blood vessels (telangiectasia),
- and cold sore reactivation around lips.
Microdermabrasion facts
- It is a simple, quick, and painless cosmetic treatment with no downtime and minimal risk.
- Microdermabrasion helps to gently exfoliate surface layers of skin using abrasion and suction.
- It uses fine crystals or minute diamond-studded tips to abrade the skin and vacuum suction to remove dead skin cells.
- Has low risk and rapid recovery; it is painless and requires no needles or anesthesia.
- Can help improve the skin appearance by reducing fine lines, early sun damage, and mild, shallow acne marks. It is not useful for deep acne scars or deep wrinkles.
- Skin may become noticeably smoother even after one treatment and better absorb moisturizers.
- Most often, it may repeat every three to four weeks for optimal results.
- Microdermabrasion is not a laser.
- Several at-home microdermabrasion creams and home machines are now available.
Who should consider microdermabrasion?
It is somewhat useful for people with dull or sallow skin, mild acne, acne discoloration, pick marks, and very superficial acne scars. Microdermabrasion may be a good treatment option for patients with superficial skin problems and busy lifestyles who are looking for minimal benefits with virtually no side effects or downtime. Individuals with deeper acne scars may expect a much longer series of portfolio or likely benefit from physician-performed surgical dermabrasion, chemical peeling or laser resurfacing.
How does it work?
Traditionally, a crystal microdermabrasion system contains a pump, a connecting tube, a hand piece, and a vacuum. While the pump creates a high-pressure stream of inert crystals, such as aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate, to abrade the skin, the vacuum removes the crystals and exfoliated skin cells. Alternatively, the inert crystals can replace by a roughened surface of the tip in the diamond microdermabrasion system.
Unlike the crystal microdermabrasion system, the diamond microdermabrasion machine does not produce particles from crystals that may inhale into a patient’s nose or blown into the eyes. Hence, diamond microdermabrasion is safer for use on areas around the eyes and lips. Generally, the slower the movement of the hand piece against the skin and the more numbers of passes over the skin, the deeper the treatment.
What ages are appropriate for microdermabrasion?
While there are no specific age or sex restrictions, typically children over age 12 up to adults age 65 can get microdermabrasion. While there is no age maximum, mature skin over age 70 may have slightly higher risks of bruising and skin abrasions. Individuals younger than age 12 may sometimes also receive treatment under the care of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
