What’s a Microdermabrasion? Good question, and the answer would be it’s an intense exfoliation process that rejuvenates the skin by utilizing ultra-fine crystals to remove the upper layer of the stratum corneum (which is the outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead cells (the corneocytes). The epidermis is in fact, the outer layer of skin that protects the other layers. Now that we have explored the basis of what the microdermabrasion, stratum corneum, epidermis, and corneocytes are, then we may move on to a more detailed explanation of what a microdermabrasion is.
Picture a closed vacuum system delivering aluminum oxide crystals through a tube and hand-piece creating a vacuum when the hand-piece is pressed against the skin. The particles flow when the hand-piece is sealed right against the skin. This just means that the particles flowing out of the accelerator that impacts the skin and, combined skin debris, are suctioned back through the hand-piece and tube into a waste canister.
This process exfoliates the skin, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin- which results in firmer and more youthful skin over time. This simple, quick, and convenient procedure has become very popular with patients showing the early signs of aging, sun exposure, or other facial imperfections.
With the procedure being non-invasive and non-wounding to the skin’s surface, the treatment entails virtually little discomfort, down time or recovery. Actually, the discomfort is quite rare but there are some people with very sensitive skin so they would have to be cautious of most skin treatments, and that goes for the down time and recovery time also. Certain people will experience some redness for about an hour after the procedure, but it’s usually something that passes but if it does last longer then put calendula cream or almond oil on your skin to calm it down.
Each person’s skin is obviously different so therefore will experience various affects, but as a general rule cease usage of certain topical agents such as glycolic acids, alpha-hydroxy acids, retin-a for a few days before the microdermabrasion treatment. For certain individuals who are faced with particular facial skin disorders may be advised by a doctor to not pursue the treatment, so make sure you are forthcoming with your doctor if you have any skin disorders, e.g. acne, rosacea, or other types of skin cases.
Red streaking from the treatment is another thing you should watch out for, because of either the intense strokes or very sensitive skin. If you are having issues with those red lines after and from the microdermabrasion treatment obviously you would want to cease any further treatments until it has fully subsided- but avoid overreacting like some people because typically it’ll go away and if it lingers longer (like more than a day or so) then make a phone call to a professional. Further more, maybe you just want to apply something called “applying-some-common-sense” to your brain and try some home remedies first before over-reacting and making a big-deal to a professional. A great cream called calendula, or almond oil are both good to use to calm down the skin. And for you all who have sunburn, or may think you even have sunburn- just avoid it period!