Get Smooth Skin with Microdermabrasion Treatment
Skin Resurfacing Promotes Youthful Glow and Removes Scarring
Sep 23, 2009
Microdermabrasion is performed with a small device that sandblasts the surface of the skin with tiny crystals made of aluminum oxide. This is used in combination with a suction device that removes the crystals along with the top layer of skin cells which are sloughed off in the process.
Microdermabrasion treatments typically take around 20 to 30 minutes each, and do not require anesthesia or any special preparation in advance. The only steps that patients should take are to stop using facial creams with Retinoid/Retinol or Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) approximately three days prior to the procedure. Depending on the amount of skin resurfacing that needs to be done, most patients require between five and twelve treatments before seeing satisfactory results. This is especially true for those with deep acne scarring. In between treatments, patients must wait two to three weeks for facial skin to heal.
Cost of Microdermabrasion Treatments
Although many salons offer microdermabrasion, these are not the ideal locations to receive skin resurfacing treatments. True medical microdermabrasion should be performed by a licensed professional in a medical setting. Medical microdermabrasion costs between $100 to $300 dollars per session, however, individuals with severe acne scarring can expect to pay around $4000 for successful treatments. Those who desire to have microdermabrasion maintenance treatments and only go several times a year can expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per year for treatments.
Side Effects of Microdermabrasion
One of the reasons that microdermabrasion is so popular is that there is very little, if any pain. At the end of a treatment the patient’s face feels tight, slightly dry and may be a little red. However, most people go directly from a treatment session back to work, running errands and normal everyday activities. Thus microdermabrasion has been termed the “lunch-hour” treatment. After receiving treatment, patients are advised to avoid sun exposure and to avoid wearing makeup for a day or so after each treatment. In addition, patients should stop using facial creams with Retinoid/Retinol or Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) for approximately one week after receiving microdermabrasion.
Benefits of Microdermabrasion for Oily Skin
For those with rough, uneven skin due to prior acne, or blemish problems, microdermabrasion can be extremely helpful. One reason people with oily skin have more blemishes is that the excess oil traps dead skin cells on the face instead of allowing them to slough off. Having microdermabrasion skin resurfacing performed several times a year removes these dead skin cells and improve the appearance of the skin. Note that those who have active acne should not have microdermabrasion as this will cause additional irritation to the skin.
Doing Microdermabrasion at Home
In the past few years several cosmetics companies have released their own at-home microdermabrasion products claiming to allow people to perform microdermabrasion at home. Although these can be effective at rejuvenating your skin, make no mistake that these are not real microdermabrasion skin resurfacing treatments. The results achieved through the use of these at-home products are minimal at best.
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