Wonder how actors and models maintain young and smooth skin well past their primes? The secret of the majority of these celebrities is Microdermabrasion. 

It is an easy skin treatment that lets you scrape off old dead skin tissues and grow new ones in their place. And the best thing is you don’t have to burn your skin with laser, acid, or prick it with injections. 

Microdermabrasion the best non-invasive skin rejuvenation can help with acne, wrinkles, scars, dull complexion, and many other skin conditions. Are you missing out on it because you aren’t exactly sure what it is? Well then, let’s learn. 

What Is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic treatment. It makes your skin smoother and younger through exfoliation. It’s a convenient and least invasive procedure to achieve a glowing, radiant look. 

The dermatologist uses a handheld device with an abrasive surface to scrape off the old and damaged skin layer. 

Or, they might spray fine crystals. Afterward, the doctor will vacuum the particles and the dead skin. 

The procedure was first used in 1985 in Italy. Mattioli and Brutto, two dermatologists, used an aluminum oxide crystal spray to abrase their patient’s skin. 

The FDA approved Microdermabrasion in the late nineties. Since then, it has been a popular and effective skin treatment. 

Microdermabrasion can help you with wrinkles, acne scars, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. People looking to enhance their complexion can also benefit from the procedure. (1,2,3)

How Does Microdermabrasion Make Your Skin Young?

Have you met someone after they completed their Microdermabrasion therapy? And were you in awe at how they looked at least ten years younger? How does that happen? Well, there are multiple factors at play here. 

Scrape Off The Bad Skin 

Our skin is constantly to exposed to sun, dust, and other environmental stress. It frequently suffers infections, injuries, and allergic reactions. 

As a result, the outermost layer of the skin tissue loses its quality.  It becomes full of dead or low-functioning cells. This makes your skin appear dull and old. 

Microdermabrasion scrapes off this old skin. This prompts the body’s healing process, and new skin grows. The new skin is, as it appears, fresh and healthier. 

Sands Your Skin Surface 

Various stress factors also destroy the natural texture of your skin. It stops looking and feeling smooth. 

Microdermabrasion works like a sanding process for your skin surface in this case. After a successful treatment, your skin becomes smooth like it had never been before. 

Better Response To Skin Care Products 

You might have become frustrated with all those skin care products. They just don’t work for you. Or not with the same effectiveness they do on your friends. 

The reason for this might be dead skin layers and clogged pores. They prevent the serums and moisturize from penetrating your skin properly. 

And since these topical treatments cannot reach the deepest layers of the skin, they can’t exert their effects. 

Microdermabrasion opens blocked pores and removes the dead skin layer. So, you will see that the same skincare treatments are working more effectively for you than before. 

Crystal Vs. Diamond Microdermabrasion

There are mainly two ways to get a microdermabrasion treatment. Your doctor might choose either the crystal or diamond tip microdermabrasion. 

Both treatments have the same target. But they differ in mechanism and advantages. 

Crystal Microdermabrasion 

In a crystal Microdermabrasion, the dermatologist sprays crystal particle with a high impact on your skin. 

The wand-like device you will see in the doctor’s hand is an electronic crystal emitter. You might say the process works like sandblasting. 

The spray abrades the dead skin layer to force new skin growth. Plus, it smoothes out irregularities in your skin’s texture.

Besides blasting your skin with crystal particles, it also has a vacuum system to collect the dead cell and the crystals. 

Aluminum Oxide crystals are a common choice in this type of microdermabrasion. Some clinics also use sodium chloride, magnesium oxide, or sodium bicarbonate crystals. 

Crystal microdermabrasion can help you reach the tricky areas around the nose and mouth, which the diamond tip variation cannot. 

Diamond Tip Microembrasion 

The diamond tip microdermabrasion uses a much simpler device. It is essentially a metal wand with an abrasive diamond tip. 

The practitioner gently brushes your skin with it in controlled circular motions. There is also a suction system in the device to collect the scrapings. 

This type of microdermabrasion is the cleaner one. And since the practitioner can directly contact the skin surface, it is often more effective. 

Unlike the crystal method, you don’t end up with any stray crystal particles in your face or hair. Deep scars and wrinkles are best treated with Diamond Tip microdermabrasion. (1,2,3)

What Happens During Your Microdermabrasion Visit?

Many of us are a little scared about visiting doctors’ clinics. And you might feel the same way about your microdermabrasion session. But once you know how it all unfolds, your hesitations will disappear. 

Are You Fit For Microdermabrasion?

The first visit to the dermatologist’s clinic will be the evaluation phase. The doctor will make sure you are fit for the procedure. For this, they will examine you and take your medical history. 

You are unfit for microdermabrasion if you have any active skin infection or a fresh wound. 

The doctor might also advise you to delay the procedure if you had any recent sunburn injury or have undergone skin treatments like chemical peels or waxing. 

The treatment is risky for patients on blood thinner medications. Similarly, the dermatologist will hold off the treatment if your clotting factors are not within normal range. 

Autoimmune diseases and diabetes affect the body’s wound healing. So, doctors might either advise such patients against microdermabrasion. Or do the treatment when their conditions are in control. 

Preparation for Microdermabrasion 

During the week before the treatment, try to avoid the sun as much as possible. Do not use any exfoliating cream or mask during this time. 

Remove makeup and clean your face properly before the procedure. Wear comfortable garments on the day of the treatment. It’s best not to wear jewelry since you must remove them during the session. 

How Microdermabrasion Feels like 

At first, the practitioner will set you up comfortably in a reclining chair. They will then apply a deep cleaning gel to your skin for further cleansing. 

Hygiene is paramount here since the procedure temporarily weakens the protective outer layer. And thus, rendering your skin vulnerable to infections. 

According to most recipients, microdermabrasion feels like something is gently scratching your skin. 

Sometimes it’s like a vibrating sensation. It might occasionally sting in the sensitive areas around the eyes and the mouth. 

If you get the treatment on your face, it will take around half an hour. Microdermabrasion of other body parts takes lesser time. 

After Effects Of Microdermabrasion 

Your face will be red and a bit swollen after the treatment. This will subside within a few hours. It usually takes two to three days for the face to heal completely. 

For the next few days after a microdermabrasion session, you might experience flaky skin. Use a moisturizer according to your doctor’s recommendation to manage the flakiness. 

During this time, avoid the sun as much as possible. Wear sunscreen with good protective abilities (at least SPF 30)  to protect the skin. Also, keep your skin clean during this time. But avoid harsh cleansers. 

Not every person has the same skin quality and sensitivity. Therefore, the after-effects can vary according to the patient. 

For the same reason, the total number of sessions to see the effectiveness of microdermabrasion differs according to person. 

Some people can see results in as little as 5-7 sessions. Meanwhile, others require 10-15 sessions in total. Your cosmetic goals also play an important role here. 

(1,2,3,4)

Can I Do Microdermabrasion At Home?

Yes, it is possible to do microdermabrasion at home. However, the results won’t be as effective as that of an expert practitioner’s chambers. 

Personal Microdermabrasion Device

Many personal microdermabrasion and skin exfoliation devices (PMDs) are on the market. They come in crystal and diamond tip variations. 

Read the instructions manual carefully before using the device. Also, ensure you don’t have any contraindications for microdermabrasion. 

At-home Microdermabrasion Treatment

Before using the device, thoroughly wash and clean your skin and pat it dry. Move the device gently across your skin. Don’t apply it near the eye. Also, don’t press too hard or stay in one area for too long. 

Once you are done, rinse your face gently with a damp cloth. Make sure there are no residues left. Use proper moisturizer and sunscreen afterward. 

Personal microdermabrasion will not give the same results as professional service. But it can still be part of an effective at-home skincare routine. 

Some Tips For Microdermabrasion At Home 

No matter how non-invasive and safe the procedure is, you should still be careful. Especially when applying new devices and products to your skin. Here are some tips to make your at-home microdermabrasion safer- 

• Apply the crystal or diamond tip on your inner arm or wrist first. This is a patch test to see if your skin adversely reacts to the product. 

• Do not start with the highest intensity setting. Gradually work your way up to it. This will let your skin adjust and prevent discomfort or irritation. 

• One exfoliation session per week is adequate. Multiple sessions might ruin the treatment. Because your body won’t get the time to heal and grow new skin. 

• Do not use other skin exfoliation products on the same day as microdermabrasion. 

• Hydrate well and eat fruits and vegetables to help the healing process. For the same reason, avoid smoking and alcohol. 

(1,2,3)

Final Words 

Microdermabrasion is one of the most convenient ways to get younger-looking skin. Since it is the least invasive, the after-effects are mild and quickly subside. And it is often more affordable than other skin rejuvenation treatments. 

However, preparation and proper aftercare are crucial for the treatment to be effective. And don’t forget to check the authenticity of your doctor or the clinic before receiving treatment.