Does Microdermabrasion Work?
Does Microdermabrasion Work?
Microdermabrasion is a procedure that can be done either in a dermatologist office or at home with over the counter products. The procedure involves having crystals sprayed onto the skin to attack dead skin cells. Lost skin cells will be replaced with new, fresh ones. The process exfoliates the skin, leaving the skin fresh and rejuvenated. It is considered an instant facelift by many and many dub it a “Lunchtime Peel”, as it can often be done in half an hour. It is usually done on the face, chest, arms, hands and neck. The procedure is painless, very effective, with no chemicals or lasers being used. There are very few side effects associated with microdermabrasion, and are usually minor, such as redness, itching and slight stinging.
There are many that can benefit from a session or two of microdermabrasion. Good candidates include those that would like to shrink their pores, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, correct age spots, reduce acne scarring and have smoother skin. Those with sun damage and discolored skin can also benefit from microdermabrasion. Collagen production is stimulated during the microdermabrasion process, which means the skin will be rejuvenated faster than usual. Those with active rosacea, open lesions, warts, open sores, lupus, widespread acne, fragile capillaries, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, erythematosus, and diabetes mellitus should avoid microdermabrasion as they are not good candidates for it.
Types of Microdermabrasion
There are two types of microdermabrasion, crystal microdermabrasion and diamond microdermabrasion. Crystal microdermabrasion is often referred to as microcrystal dermabrasion and is the most popular form of dermabrasion. Fine crystals are spurted out of a stainless steel tube, and sprayed onto the face. The “sandblasting” of the skin will allow dead skin cells to fall off the skin. The crystals will then be vacuumed off the skin with the dead skin cells using the same wand. Most times aluminum oxide crystals are used for this but magnesium oxide, sodium bicarbonate, and sodium chloride have also been used.
The second type of microdermabrasion is diamond microdermabrasion, in which no crystals are used. A wand with a diamond encrusted tip is put over the skin, which will abrade the skin. The dead skin cells will then be vacuumed up the same as crystal microdermabrasion.
Microdermabrasion products
There are many do it yourself microdermabrasion products on the market today. While these products were designed to do the same thing a professional treatment does, exact results may not be seen. A few of the best at home microdermabrasion kits include:
- Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel kit by Olay
- Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub by Derma e
- Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System by Neutrogena
- Pro-X Microdermabrasion Plus Advanced Cleansing system by Olay
- St. Ives Timeless Skin Daily Microdermabrasion by St. Ives
- Estee Lauder Idealist Micro-D Deep Thermal Refinisher by Estee Lauder
- DERMAdoctor Physical Chemistry Facial by DERMAdoctor
Microdermabrasion is perfect for those that want to improve their skin without having any downtime. The procedure is less risky than other resurfacing procedures. Microdermabrasion will successfully remove fine lines and wrinkles from the face as long as they are not deep set ones. It often requires several rounds of treatment to see results. Do note that after a few treatments, skin will feel softer and look healthier. Add in a few more treatments and the pores will shrink and the skin will become smoother. Most results will be seen after the 5th treatment. Many times 6 to 10 rounds of microdermabrasion will be needed to see the results that are desired. To maintain the effect of microdermabrasion, every month or two a maintenance session may be needed.
I have never done microdermabrasion myself, but my sister has and the results that it lent her are amazing. I am actually saving money right now to have it done for myself. She had 8 rounds of it done, and within 3, I could tell a difference. She said that she noticed a difference right away with the first treatment. She said that her skin did not really look all that different after the first treatment, but it felt amazing. I want amazing skin that feels soft and looks smooth. By the end of summer I should have enough saved to have the treatments done. I am so looking forward to microdermabrasion as I do feel that it will give me confidence and a glow to my skin.
What a great article that does prove that microdermabrasion really does work. I was skeptical at first too when I first learned about it. My dermatologist promised me some good results and I must say that I am impressed with them. I had 10 series of the procedure, all of which were super simple and only took about 20 minutes. It was right in and right out at my dermatologist. There is not any recovery time so I was able to get back to my hectic life, which I loved. I do not have time to wait for my face to recover, so this was wonderful.
I have seen so many of the home treatments in the stores and always wondered how well they worked. I have decided that this weekend I am going to take the plunge and buy one to see what results that it gives me. I need to get rid of these huge pores. I have never in my life had pores this big til now. And it is rather disturbing to me. I would love to be able to shrink them down. That is my only big concern. I do not really have any acne, just an occasional pimple. And my skin is not oily, it is pretty much normal. I use other anti aging products so wrinkles and fine lines have not become an issue yet. I am hoping that the large pores will shrink down to size after a few weeks of using an over the counter microdermabrasion system. Wish me luck!
I am in the process of having microdermabrasion done. I have done a home treatment for it and really was impressed with the results that I decided to do it professionally to see what other fantastic results that I could get. I have done 2 treatments now and will have 4 more. I am ecstatic with the results. My pores have shrunk so much doing both treatments. My skin is not as oily I do not think, which means that my face is clearer because there is not as much oil to block my pores. And that means that my makeup stays on longer which is a huge win win for me. I used to have to reapply my makeup a few times a day but now I only have to do a few touch ups here and there. And the best part is I think that I look a few years younger. I was at the library the other day and a guy just looked at me and said there is something that is different about you but I just can not put my finger on it. Well I am crediting the microdermabrasion for that. I truly feel that it is helping me look better!
I would love to have skin that is rejuvenated. My skin is very dull. It has a lack luster appeal to it. I believe that the exfoliation treatments that I am doing at home are not doing much for it. They seem to help but I do believe that a professional treatment is in order. I have never been to the dermatologist before because I did not know that there were treatments for the skin that did this. Excited to try it out and report back to tell everyone how great my skin looks.
I have very oily skin that is sensitive. I would love to be able to do a treatment of this to see if it is for my skin. And I love that you can get one done. I think I will schedule one and see what it does for my skin and then go from there to see if I need any more treatments. Anything to combat this oily, slick skin would work for me. I have tried so many different products to dry out my skin, which only makes it oilier, thus making it more sensitive and causes me to break out more.