Microdermabrasion Treatments

Before discussing your options for microdermabrasion treatments, we should first discuss microdermabrasion itself. Microdermabrasion is the exfoliation of the skin. When done in a dermatologist’s or cosmetic surgeon’s office, this procedure uses crystals or a diamond tipped apparatus to exfoliate the outer surface of the skin. In the removal of this outer surface, new, even toned skin is revealed.

Apart from just revealing the new skin, however, microdermabrasion treatments have been known to stimulate new collagen production in the skin. Collagen is what keeps the skin elastic, acting as supporting structure for skin cells, thereby making the skin tighter, smoother, younger looking, and less susceptible to wrinkles. Also, the more collagen your skin produces, the better your skin is likely to heal.

Microdermabrasion treatments were actually originally developed for scar reduction. The outer layers of the scars were gently removed, making the scar less visible because of the rapid healing that is induced through the collagen production seen in microdermabrasion treatments. In recent years, the treatments have gone beyond scar reduction, and have crossed over to the cosmetic world or to the world of dermatology cosmetic procedures.

When it comes to dermatological cosmetic procedures, microdermabrasion treatments are used to reduce dull or unevenly toned skin complexions. It is also known to reduce signs of aging such as age spots, wrinkles, and some minimal sagging. Many doctors recommend microdermabrasion treatments for their patients, with the treatments meant to be followed up with a good skin regimen of anti aging creams, eye creams, wrinkle creams, and so forth.

The microdermabrasion treatments will allow these creams to penetrate the skin more deeply than when microdermabrasion was not applied, and the creams will take more effect on the patients. For some patients, whose skin responds really well to the process, they can enjoy the effects of the treatments (followed with the creams) for many years!

There are three common types of microdermabrasion treatments. They are as follows:

Crystal Microdermabrasion: Done in a dermatologist's or cosmetic surgeon's office. This procedure uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the skin on a minute level. Some women experience a stinging sensation either during or after the procedure, as well as redness.

Diamond Microdermabrasion: Done in a dermatologist's or cosmetic surgeon's office. This procedure uses a diamond tipped head, attached to a machine to remove the dead skin cells of the face. It has similar side effects to crystal microdermabrasion, and usually takes several sessions for the best effects.

Home Microdermabrasion: Done in the comfort of your own home. This procedure uses a home microdermabrasion kit, which usually consists of an apparatus that will exfoliate your skin for you. The effects are not as noticeable as clinical microdermabrasion treatments, but many women prefer this over the clinical procedures because of its cost saving factor.