Gorgeous skin is one of the most sought-after features in the beauty community. From dropping major amounts of money on products to making lifestyle changes in hopes of being rewarded with a glowy face, the lifelong commitment to skincare is one many people are willing to make.
On top of cleansers, masks, and micro-needling tools, you also have the option of getting professional treatments done.
These are slightly more invasive procedures than what you can do at home, but they boast results that make the visit to your dermatologist’s office well worth it. One of the most popular treatments you can get done today is called microdermabrasion.
With microdermabrasions being so effective, you may want to get them done as frequently as possible.
So, how often should you actually get the procedure done? Depending on the severity of your skin condition and the strength of the actual treatment, you can expect to schedule a new microdermabrasion appointment every 4-8 weeks.
Before booking your appointment, read through our article to find out what to expect from your microdermabrasion procedure, who would benefit from the treatment the most, what benefits and risks are involved, and more!
What Is A Microdermabrasion?
Despite the intimidating name, a microdermabrasion is a fairly non-invasive procedure in the world of cosmetic treatments.
To put it simply, it’s an exfoliating method that involves the removal of the first layer of skin on the face to reveal the baby-soft, undamaged skin that’s waiting underneath!
There are two possible methods your dermatologist or esthetician can use to perform the procedure. One involves using a handheld tool to scrape off or “sand” off afflicted skin to uncover healthy skin underneath.
The device used on your skin has an abrasive tip, but won’t be painful to the touch. Once the skin is removed, it’s sucked up using a gentle vacuum.
The newer, more intense form of dermabrasion, involved using a fine mister to spray sodium bicarbonate (or a similar chemical) onto the surface of the skin. These chemicals are dermatologist grade and will peel off the surface layer of your skin, the dead skin will then be removed with the same vacuum as previously mentioned.
If this is your first time hearing about this sort of procedure, you may think it sounds extremely invasive, but you can rest assured that this treatment is actually quite gentle on the skin!
It’s so gentle, and so non-painful that some people question whether or not it can prove effective on their skin conditions. Rest assured, you’ll have no pain, but all of the gain!
If you’d like to see the microdermabrasion process in action, take a look at this video from The Cosmetic Clinic on YouTube.
The Benefits Of A Microdermabrasion
The most important thing to remember about a microdermabrasion is that it isn’t meant to transform severely damaged skin. Unfortunately, that means that you probably won’t see striking results if you have very wrinkled skin, skin with harsh hyperpigmentation, or deep acne scars.
Due to the improvement of collagen production and cell renewal, we love a microdermabrasion for those looking to bring new life into their skin.
Whether it’s looking sallow, saggy, or just needs a little more pizzaz, a microdermabrasion is low stakes and offers immediate results. It can make your skin look healthier from the first session, and even more lively as your sessions continue.
Though a microdermabrasion won’t work on active acne (and you should steer clear of any aesthetician who says differently), it can work incredibly well on acne scars!
While it won’t be able to remove pitted acne marks, the procedure can scrape away the dead cells that make up the dark scars that acne often leaves behind.
One of the most notable parts of a microdermabrasion procedure is that it’s universally compatible with any skin type. You could have dry, oily, or combination skin and the treatment would be equally effective for each.
Those with sensitive skin may be hesitant towards booking an appointment, but even extremely finicky faces can find relief.
Who Should Get A Microdermabrasion?
A microdermabrasion is mainly helpful if you have very superficial skin concerns. That means it’s ideal for those who spot the initial signs of aging, may have light acne scarring, or enlarged or clogged pores.
These are all surface-level issues when caught early enough, so you’ll be able to see more notable results, faster.
It’s best to wait to get a microdermabrasion done until your skin is in a calmer state because it can further aggravate already irritated skin.
Work on rebuilding your moisture barrier so your skin can bounce back quicker after the procedure, and never get the treatment done if you have open acne or active breakouts on your face. That’s a surefire way to spread bacteria!
You should also skip out on the procedure if you’ve taken acne pills within the past 6 months. Acne medication, especially ones that are orally ingested, takes a hefty toll on the skin, potentially thinning it by extreme amounts.
Exfoliating already compromised skin can leave your face feeling stripped and raw instead of dewy and healthy.
Overall, we would mainly recommend a microdermabrasion treatment to people who want to give their skin the boost it needs to look its best.
It doesn’t work miracles (no treatment does), but when you commit to getting it done regularly, it transforms your skin into the best-looking version of itself – and who doesn’t want that?
Potential Microdermabrasion Risks
After you see the results of your first procedure, you’re gonna want to get back into the chair as soon as possible! Nevertheless, it’s important to wait the right amount of time between appointments, or you risk suffering from some serious side effects.
Though gentle, a microdermabrasion will always leave your skin in a slightly weaker state. This happens whenever you exfoliate your skin, so giving your face time to recuperate and rebuild between sessions is of utmost importance.
If you don’t wait, your esthetician could scrape off your moisture barrier, leaving your skin susceptible to all kinds of damage. If you don’t go to a licensed practitioner, like a dermatologist or technician, you place yourself at risk for an unclean procedure.
While there are a rising number of at-home beauty technicians, a microdermabrasion procedure is a bit more complex than a nail or hair appointment, so we suggest searching for a reputable service to take care of your skin!
And, as with any exfoliating treatment, your risk for UV radiation will rise after your appointment. It’s important to plan ahead for this by bringing along a baseball cap and sunglasses, as you shouldn’t be putting sunscreen onto your skin immediately following your treatment.
Potential exposure to the sun after treatment can leave you with severe burns.
Proper Aftercare For A Microdermabrasion
Though the healing process for a microdermabrasion procedure is fairly straightforward, there are some tips and tricks you can instill to make the process go by even smoother:
Hands And Products Off
While your skin is in a raw state, it’s important to keep it away from potential irritants. However, after the procedure, your face will be in a much more sensitive state than it usually is, and will be more reactant towards basic things like the sun, your hands, and your skincare products.
For 3-4 days after your treatment, do your best to keep your hands off of your face and avoid any harsh products (AHAs, BHAs, retinols).
Anti-inflammatory Products
It’s normal for your face to be warm, red, and slightly puffy post-treatment! You shouldn’t be in too much pain, but to make yourself more comfortable, you can apply light layers of anti-inflammatory creams to your face. If you want to avoid topical ointments, place a cold, damp towel on your skin to provide some relief.
Switch To Gentle Products
- Though your skin is a bit more sensitive, it’s still important to maintain a cleansing routine to wash away any germs and bacteria. Instead of using cleansers that have scents, added oils, or active acids, switch to something basic. The same rules apply to your moisturizer, too!
- Our picks for a gentle, yet effective, cleanser and moisturizer combo are this face wash and this cream – both by Vanicream!
- SPF
- Before you show the world your baby soft skin, let it build a little protection against the sun first. Once its grown some more resiliency, protect it even further through the consistent application of a gentle sunscreen with high SPF. This will prevent the worsening of present sunspots and the formation of new ones.
Related Questions
How much does a microdermabrasion treatment cost?
Expect a single treatment to cost $150-$200, but this could vary depending on where you get the procedure done. Make sure you do research and ask around to ensure that you’re getting a reputable treatment at a fair price.
Expect the appointment to last about an hour, with succeeding sessions costing the same price, and taking the same amount of time.
How old do you have to be to get a microdermabrasion treatment done?
Surprisingly, microdermabrasion treatments have been recommended to people as young as 12 years old! To ensure that the procedure is beneficial at that young of an age, talk to your dermatologist or doctor.
We recommend that those 70 years or older stay away from the procedure, as your skin may lack the collagen and elasticity needed to properly heal from the treatment. However, you should always heed the advice of a medical professional.
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