Microdermabrasion: Bringing Life into your Skin

Microdermabrasion is an excellent treatment for renewing the skin. In this treatment, rough grains of crystals, diamonds and bristle tips are used to peel off the outermost surface of the skin. The top layer of the skin is removed to create a rejuvenating effect. This treatment cures skin problems such as acne scarring, mild discoloration, sun damage, wrinkles and dullness. This is a minimally invasive non-surgical procedure meant to scrub off the dead outer layer of the skin by applying fine abrasive crystals and vacuum suction to the skin.

The process is painless so it does not require any needles or anesthetics- just sandpaper or facial scrub- or technically, a simple machine composed of a vacuum suction, a connecting tube, a pump and a hand piece. Commonly asked questions about microdermabrasion are the following:

Does it hurt?

Microdermabrasion treatment does not hurt. Patients who have undergone this treatment say that they only experience a slight sensation and a mild sting around the eye area. The doctor normally works up a single level before the increase the penetration to the skin. You may feel a little hot and appear fink for the first day but that should be fine by night. The technician will adjust the suction according to what is comfortable for you.

What should I expect during treatment?

The treatment ranges from anywhere between 20 to 30 minutes for the face. If it also includes the neck and the upper chest area, it may last up to an hour. A normal course of microdermabrasion treatment varies between 4 to 8 sessions with 2 weeks intervals. It is advised that you schedule an additional treatment every 1 to 3 months to keep your skin in excellent condition. Most patients start feeling a dramatic change in just two to three treatments. The amount of change you experience would depend on your personal situation.

How long does it take to see results?

It can take from one treatment up to five treatment sessions before you see results. The length depends on your skin and the microdermabrasion machine used by your doctor. Some patients also report changes just after the first treatment.

Your skin will start looking cleaner just after the first session but serious problems such as wrinkles or scars would take longer- up to five treatments.