Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that offers great results with minimal risks and side effects. The techniques most favored nowadays are the crystal microdermabrasion and the diamond tip microdermabrasion.
The crystal option uses a wand to both spray and vacuum aluminum oxide crystals, this very hard material is blasted to the skin to remove the outmost layer of the epidermis, taking off dead cells and cleaning skin pores. It may appear on a Spa menu as power peel, derma peel, Parisian peel, etc.
The newer and widely used diamond tip microdermabrasion procedure achieves great results using synthetic diamonds of different sizes to “polish” the skin removing its outer layer. It is an effective treatment that achieves great results without the discomfort produced by the aluminum crystal variety..
Benefits of Microdermabrasion
The treatment is used to rejuvenate the skin eliminating marks produced by aging like brown spots, “crow’s feet”, fine lines, wrinkles, vascular lesions and colored areas. The treatment is also used to treat active acne and superficial acne scars. Besides removing dead cells and opening clogged pores, the procedure stimulates the production of new cells, collagen and elastin, giving the skin a fresher, radiant and healthy appearance.
Microdermabrasion is considered a very safe procedure and most patients will only experience very minimal and temporary side effects. Since it causes no pain there is no need for anesthesia and even patients with very sensitive skin can tolerate the procedure. Depending on the skin condition, color and depth of the scars, it can achieve dramatic results when performed by experienced professionals.
What are the risks of microdermabrasion?
Most risks basically depend on the skill of the operator and whether the treatment is performed under sterile conditions. When the patient is treated by experienced professionals with proven success and modern equipment on clean facilities, the treatment will produce only minor discomfort.
Most of the risks depend on the skin type, color and sensitivity of the patient. The best initial approach is to get a good evaluation by your dermatologist to prevent some rare risks like discoloration or hyperpigmentation.
Since the procedure may affect the cells that produce melanin, there is a risk of uneven pigmentation, most noticeable in people with dark skin. Your dermatologist will advice you if the treatment represents any risk of discoloration. For people with light skin there is a rare risk of hyperpigmentation. Most of the time it will be just a blush or redness that will fade away.
An unskilled operator may go beyond the superficial layer of the epidermis. When the device is improperly used at a too hard strength, the aluminum crystals used to exfoliate may perforate the skin. When the vacuum device is not working well the crystals may float in front of the face with the risk of inhaling the particles or getting them into the eyes.
If the procedure is applied with diamond tips and the operator tries to abrade a superficial scar applying too much pressure, it may damage the skin and cause bleeding and pain increasing the risk of infection and scarring. These are rare events and one should consider microdermabrasion a procedure with minimal risks and side effects.
Skin care after treatment
After the microdermabrasion procedure the skin is slightly damaged and should not be left without protection from sun exposure, irritants and pollutants. One should be careful during the next few days, avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing sunscreen of at least an SPF-30, even on cloudy days.
Wash your face with very mild soap, rinsing well with warm water and applying a suitable moisturizer to minimize the redness and flaking. Avoid using oil based products on your face and makeup that could clog the pores of your skin.
When to avoid Microdermabrasion
Avoid or postpone microdermabrasion if you have recently received a laser treatment, chemical peels. If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, it is best to wait because the skin is more sensitive during hormonal changes and there is a greater risk of hyper pigmentation, irritation and scarring.
Patients with skin diseases like rosacea, actinic keratosis, precancerous lesions, dermal infections an herpes, should not go through microdemabrasion because of the risk of complicating their primary disease and of permanent scarring.
When considering a microdermabrasion treatment, check the different options and have an honest talk with your dermatologist or cosmetic physician to find about the intensity, number of sessions, real expectations and whether crystal or diamond tip microdermabrasion is best suited to your skin condition, budget and lifestyle.
In most cases the microdermabrasion treatment will be a significant improvement in your skin condition with minimal risks and side effects. After treatment, there is practically no downtime so you will be able to face the world with a smile and a significant lift to your confidence.
