Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure used to renew overall skin tone and texture. It can improve the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, acne scarring, melasma, and other skin-related concerns and conditions.
What is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion treatments use a minimally abrasive instrument to gently sand your skin, removing the thicker, uneven outer layer, and has many benefits. Microdermabrasion helps to thicken your collagen, which results in a younger looking complexion. Collagen is a protein in your skin which is abundant when you're a child and makes skin appear taut and smooth. Collagen production declines as we age, resulting in looser, uneven skin.
Benefits of Microdermabrasion
- Improve age spots and blackheads
- 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
What are the Risks of Microdermabrasion?
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:
- Bruising, which can occur from the suction and may last several days.
- Your skin will be more sensitive to sun exposure. Be sure to use sunscreen, especially immediately following a microdermabrasion session.
What to Expect Following Microdermabrasion
Because it works on the very surface of the skin, there are few issues in terms of microdermabrasion side effects. However, tenderness, swelling, or minor bruising can occur.2 Typically after treatment, your skin will be a bit pink. This usually fades within a few hours.
For a day or so afterward, it might feel like you have a minor sunburn. Otherwise, you'll be able to go about your day right after your treatment without anyone any wiser about what you've had done.
Acne treatments, toners, and medicated cleansers will probably burn or sting if you apply them right after a microdermabrasion treatment. You may want to hold off using them for a day. Makeup, moisturizers, and non-medicated cleansers can usually be used right after treatment with no problems.
You'll definitely need to use sunscreen. You'll be a bit more susceptible to sun damage after treatment. (But you're already using sunscreen daily, right?) There is no down time or recovery period following microdermabrasion.