From chemical peels to laser skin resurfacing, multiple treatments promise to help rejuvenate the skin, no surgery needed. One of those procedures is microdermabrasion, which helps to exfoliate the skin, improving its overall appearance. Microdermabrasion is considerably less invasive than surgical options and is even gentler than many other non-invasive skin procedures.
Because it’s so gentle, many people wonder if the treatment is going to be effective or worth the time and money. However, its popularity is a testament to its success. Here’s what you need to know if you’re thinking about microdermabrasion.
What Happens During Microdermabrasion?
Some describe microdermabrasion as a treatment that “sands” the skin. During the procedure, the provider passes over the surface of the facial skin using a tool with a diamond tip. The tip of the wand gently abrades the skin, loosening the dead skin cells on the surface. A suction device vacuums up the skin cells, removing them from the surface.
Usually, treatment takes about half an hour or sometimes less. Discomfort is usually minimal. Some people say it just feels like their skin is being gently scratched.
How Does Microdermabrasion Help Your Skin?
The treatment works by gently exfoliating the skin. Usually, the level of exfoliation you get from an in-office treatment is much deeper than what you would get a home using an at-home kit or another exfoliation device.
When the outer layer of skin cells is removed, the body believes it’s been injured. That might sound like a bad thing, but it’s actually important for skin renewal. The “injury” causes the body to produce new, healthy cells to replace the damaged ones. The exfoliation also helps to improve blood flow to the skin and encourages collagen production.
Microdermabrasion can help minimize a variety of skin concerns, from dark spots to wrinkles and from scarring to enlarged pores.
What Happens After Microdermabrasion?
Since the treatment is so minimally invasive, there’s almost no downtime involved. It’s common for skin to be a bit red and a little tender for a day or so after treatment. Fortunately, this usually fades after about a day. People usually go back to work or school immediately after the treatment.
There are a few things you should do to protect your skin after the procedure. Since the skin will be a bit tender, you’ll want to be extra cautious about sun exposure. Avoid spending a lot of time outdoors and remember to use a sunscreen, even if you’ll only be outside for a few minutes at a time.
Is There Anyone Who Should Skip Microdermabrasion?
Like most cosmetic treatments, microdermabrasion isn’t right for everyone. If your skin is sensitive or you’re prone to rosacea, you’ll most likely want to skip treatment, as the exfoliation can be too irritating. If you’ve got an active infection, sunburn, cold sores or other inflammation on your face, it’s a good idea to postpone treatment until your skin has cleared up.
How Does Microdermabrasion Compare to Dermabrasion?
You can think of microdermabrasion as the younger, kinder sibling of dermabrasion. Dermabrasion also exfoliates and resurfaces the skin. But it is considerably more invasive and penetrates deeper than microdermabrasion. Usually, patients are under general anesthesia during dermabrasion and the recovery period is much longer. Some people need to take as much as two weeks off from work while their skin heals from a dermabrasion treatment.
Since dermabrasion is a considerably more in-depth and invasive treatment compared to microdermabrasion, the results you get are likely to be more dramatic.
Is Microdermabrasion Worth It?
Is microdermabrasion worth it for you? It all depends on the type of results you want and the amount of time you have to dedicate to the procedure. While each treatment session is short, you might need multiple treatments to get satisfactory results. Also, since the treatment is so minimally invasive, it might not help people with deep creases and lines and more significant signs of aging.
If you’re just beginning to show signs of aging or have some dark spots or acne scars that you want to banish, microdermabrasion might be the right choice for you. To learn more about the treatment, call 281-810-9083 to schedule a consultation at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas today.