Many women become unhappy with their skin’s look over time – skin looks dull, fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin look older, scars and blemishes mar the appearance. Most of these women are looking for fast treatments that are effective in improving the look and feel of their skin. One of these treatments is microdermabrasion.
Microdermabrasion, also referred to as microderm, is a skin exfoliating treatment that smooths rough and blemished skin. It gently uses abrasion or scraping to reveal fresh new skin cells. This action removes the top layers of the skin, known as the stratum corneum. Dirt and debris caused by makeup, pollution, and other environmental factors build up on the skin and clog the pores. This dirt and debris also dull the appearance of the skin.
Microdermabrasion makes the skin supple and smooth and reduces the signs of aging. By reducing the appearance of laugh lines and wrinkles, Microdermabrasion is a procedure that helps patients regain a more youthful appearance. Microdermabrasion also benefits patients who have minor to moderate scars as a result of acne. Patients with sunspots have also seen the benefits of the treatment in lightening areas of superficial sun damage. Microdermabrasion does not work for patients with deep wrinkles, crease or severe acne scars, such as those caused by cystic acne.
There are two types of microdermabrasion crystal microdermabrasion and diamond-tip microdermabrasion. Diamond-tip microdermabrasion uses a diamond-tipped device wand to move over and rough up the topmost layer of the skin. Crystal microdermabrasion uses a wand attached to a compressor to send tiny aluminum oxide crystals against the skin. This action exfoliates the skin, sloughing off old skin cells. While the crystals are being shot onto the skin, a second wand vacuums up the dead skin cells and crystals.
Dr. Mayli Davis, M.D., is an ophthalmologist that offers microdermabrasion as a Med-Spa treatment in her Colleyville, Texas, practice. “Microdermabrasion is a noninvasive, popular skin care treatment for patients who want to improve the look of their skin without having to go use over the counter treatments that may take a long time to work, or may not work at all,” she says.
Davis performs microdermabrasion most frequently on faces, but some patients may opt to treat their necks, chest, and back, too. The procedure takes 45 to 60 minutes, depending upon the area of treatment.
There is very low risk of the microdermabrasion procedure, and no anesthesia is necessary. The procedure is painless, and there is no downtime after that would keep patients out of work or activities. It is recommended that patients avoid wearing makeup immediately after the procedure not to clog pores. Patients should also wear sunscreen and avoid prolonged sun exposure for a few weeks after the procedure to avoid burning new skin cells.
Patients who have opted to undergo microdermabrasion notice results immediately. Their skin is typically smoother after just one treatment, and many patients report that their skin is able to absorb moisturizers more readily. Many patients choose to repeat the procedure every few weeks to attain the best results. Skin cells regenerate about every 30 days, so the results of microdermabrasion are temporary, but many patients find their results to last if they avoid the sun and use quality moisturizers.
Microdermabrasion is just one skin rejuvenation treatment offered by Davis. Other skin therapies offered include noninvasive treatments like laser skin rejuvenation, also known as IPL laser therapy or FotoFacial, in order to reduce redness, scars, and sun spots. Davis also offers minimally invasive treatments like Botox therapy and dermal fillers injectables to treat wrinkles, creases, and areas lacking in volume.
