What is Microdermabrasion?
If you have heard friends and co-workers talking endlessly about microdermabrasion and find yourself wondering, "What is microdermabrasion?" you should know that this non-invasive procedure can be a great way to improve the condition of your skin.
If you want great-looking skin the answer is not creams or elixirs, it's microdermabrasion.
Microdermabrasion is usually administered by a plastic surgeon or a aesthetician and the procedure involves blasting the surface of the skin with a mist of particles to remove dirt and dead skin.
If sun exposure and aging have taken their toll on your skin you may want to consider microdermabrasion. It's one of the easiest and most convenient ways to get your skin looking soft and supple the way it did 10 or 20 years ago. If you have been considering microdermabrasion but have always wondered, "How is it done," you should know that the actual procedure is quite simple.
What is the Microdermabrasion Procedure?
Plastic surgeons and aestheticians typically use a specialized tool that passes a spray of aluminum dioxide or table salt crystals over the skin's surface and then vacuums up any debris that has been loosened by this particle spray. This is done with a hand-held sandblasting and vacuuming device that also continually blast fine particles of table salt or aluminum oxide at the skin. The particles are then sucked up into this device along with any dirt and dead skin that has become dislodged.
The person administering the treatment is usually able to adjust the intensity of the treatment to the customized needs and expectations of individual patients. Microdermabrasion specialists are usually able to offer a light buffing for those people who are looking to remove surface imperfections on their skin and they can also offer deep exfoliation to people who want to address deeper skin damage.
Mild Redness
After the procedure patients may notice a mild redness in the treated areas but typically this subsides after a few hours.
The length of the microdermabrasion procedure is typically between 15 and 45 minutes though patients that are having the procedure performed on the neck and upper chest area may have to undergo treatments that last up to an hour.
No Anesthesia
The microdermabrasion procedure does not require the use of anesthesia and it is always usually done on an outpatient basis. In fact, some people even have this procedure during their lunch hour and return to work afterwards.
Most microdermabrasion professionals will advise their clients to return for several treatments in order to achieve and maintain optimum results.
As part of the treatment, most plastic surgeons and aestheticians will apply a re-hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen to the patient's face to maximize the results and leave the skin looking healthy and glowing.
What Can I Expect After Microdermabrasion?
Patients might feel a bit of tingling or slight stinging after the procedure but there should be no significant pain if the procedure has been administered correctly. Usually microdermabrasion patients will be required to have a series of initial treatments in order to achieve a dramatic result and once that result is obtained it is usually recommended that patients return for periodic treatments to maintain their results.
As a precaution, microdermabrasion patients are often advised to avoid direct sun exposure for at least a week after their procedure. It is also recommended that patients who opt for this treatment avoid liquid foundations or pressed powder foundations for 24 hours so that the skin will not be irritated.
Am I a Candidate for Microdermabrasion?
Typical microdermabrasion candidates are people who have a dull, oily or leathery skin texture, people who have clogged or enlarged pores, people who have fine lines cause by sun exposure or aging and people who have skin pigment irregularities. Basically anyone who wants to rejuvenate the look of his or her skin should look into the procedure.
Microdermabrasion first gained popularity in Europe and now the procedure is gaining increased acclaim in the United States with each passing year. This is because it's a non-invasive procedure that is applied to the skins surface so although the results can be dramatic, the risk is minimal. However, with that said.......
Microdermabrasion & Regulations
Microdermabrasion regulations vary between states and most significantly when it comes to the training that certain individuals require to perform this procedure. The Food and Drug Administration classifies microdermabrasion as a category one prescription cosmetic device and as such the procedure is only intended to affect the outer layer of the skin. The procedure is not intended to alter the skin's structure or function but an unskilled practitioner could accidentally strip away deeper skin layers with an improper technique.
With the state of microdermabrasion regulations in a mild state of disarray, it is the patients responsibility to ensure that their particular practitioner is well trained and has equipment that is up to date, well maintained and effective. Better results will always come from more experienced practitioners, so if you are interested in microdermabrasion, contact a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who specializes in this procedure and you will be sure to receive a quality result.
Now that you know the ins and outs of microdermabrasion you can take advantage of all of the perks that the procedure can offer including a smooth, fresh, rejuvenated complexion.
Free Microdermabrasion Consultation with a Board Certified U.S. Surgeon
To learn more about a Microdermabrasion procedure and decide whether it's for you, please complete the contact form below, or call us today at the number found in the upper right corner of this page. You will then get the option to schedule a free consultation with a board certified surgeon in your local area.
