What is microdermabrasian?

This explains what Microdermabrasion is, how it is done and what side effects , if any, are associated with this procedure.

Photo Credit: Greg Nicholas
By Denise Holt

Everyone wants to look beautiful. Today, most people long for flawless, beautiful skin. Many people opt for plastic surgery, to smooth and unwrinkle their skin. But, there is a procedure that gives you the look of having plastic surgery without going under the knife, it is called Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that gives virtually no discomfort or down time for recovery. This procedure helps to stimulate production of collagen and skin cells. This procedure can be used for polishing and reducing fine lines, exfoliating and suctioning clogged pores due to acne problems, reducing mild acne scars and pigment irregularities.

The quest for perfect looking skin can be traced back to the Egyptians. They applied abrasive masks of alabaster particles to try to achieve a flawless, younger look. For thousands of years, there have been many things that have been used to peel, exfoliate, and rejuvenate the skin. Some of these substances were acids, moist bunches of minerals and plants, and things such as fire and sandpaper-like materials. The procedures used in Microdermabrasion today originated in the early 20th century. In most recent years, the use of lasers has become more popular in skin resurfacing techniques. The type of Microdermabrasion that we use today was developed in 1985 in Italy. It was really popular in Europe before it came to the United States. Due to the low risks and rapid recovery, as compared to the more traditional resurfacing procedures, this has become the preferred choice in facial resurfacing.

When it comes to Microdermabrasion, the advantages include no anesthesia to be needed, it is painless, it can be done over and over at short intervals, it is simple and quick and does not interrupt the patients daily routine. There are basically no side effects with this procedure. It can be done safely and effectively during someone’s lunch hour. It can be done on any skin color and any skin type. It is excellent for someone whose skin is sensitive to chemical procedures. Someone who has good skin tone will achieve the best results. It does require multiple sessions and minimal maintenance treatments. But, because this procedure requires almost no recovery time, this procedure is the best choice for someone who wants to soften fine lines, reduce age spots and treat acne or other scars.

One of the key ingredients in the Microdermabrasion procedure is tension. The skin must be placed under tension so the most effective vacuum can be achieved. The hand piece emits crystals onto the skin, which result in a gentle polishing process. The hand piece is moved over the skin area in a single, smooth stroke. The skin debris is suctioned back through the handpiece and dumped into a waste container. The amount of crystals that are released is controlled by a foot pedal. If the area has thicker skin, such as the chin, nose or forehead, it can be treated with more than one pass or with a faster speed on the handpiece and more pressure. If the treatment area has a thinner skin, the pressure should be decreased. These areas include the lower eyelids and the upper cheek. Between treatments, the face will be cleaned to remove any residue from the crystals. Generally, 2 treatments per session are performed on the face. These sessions last for about 30-40 minutes for the face. The procedure usually lasts about 20 minutes for the neck. For the best results, the number of treatments suggested is between 5 and 12. These treatments are usually spaced about 2 to 3 weeks apart. When the procedure is completed, the area is cleaned. When it is dry, a moisturizer is applied. The moisturizer must be applied often to keep the skin from drying out. The only down side to the procedure is that a mild sunburn sensation may be felt for a couple of days. After this procedure, the skin will be more sensitive to the sun. A sunscreen must be applied often to protect against sunburn.

The greatest advantage when choosing Microdermabrasion is the lack of complications with the procedure. With any type of skin resurfacing procedure, a persons’ expectations must be realistic. No one procedure is perfect, but Microdermabrasion is perfect for fine lines and superficial scars. A person must prepare themselves for a number of treatments to achieve the best results. This procedure can be very effective on age spots, acne and enlarged pores. People who have these skin problems can see an improvement of overall skin condition and it can even out the skin tone. The best thing about the procedure is that there is no down time. That is why Microdermabrasion is best suited for the person who has a busy lifestyle. The number of treatments and the frequency of each treatment can be designed for each individual based on their skin condition and the results they would like to achieve. Microdermabrasion is at this time one of the best non-surgical ways to repair facial skin that has been damaged from the sun or reverse the effects of aging.