Microdermabrasion Treatment Information and Recovery Time
Microdermabrasion involves a stream of fine micro particles being blasted across the face by a kind of “skin vacuum cleaner”. The powder used varies between different machines and can include crystals of aluminium salts, sodium bicarbonate crystals, or even sodium chloride (table salt) crystals.
Movement of these crystals under pressure loosens and partially removes the outermost epidermal layer of the skin (see diagram below) in a kind of “sandpapering” effect. It helps improve the appearance of the skin and the circulation and generally gives the skin a healthy glow. Once the outer layer of skin has been removed, the layers of skin beneath then increase their production of new skin cells to renew the surface layer.
Microdermabrasion is a mild treatment causing minimal damage to the surface of the skin. Results are subtle and include a freshening in the appearance and improvement in the texture of the skin, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles.
Some stretch marks respond well to this treatment and some people can experience a reduction in the appearance of brown age spots on their skin.
This procedure is sometimes used in combination with chemical peels or some skin creams.
Microdermabrasion is not suitable for deeper wrinkles and scars, deep hyperpigmentation problems or broken veins in the skin.
Your first discussion with a practitioner should clearly set out your expectations and what the practitioner thinks will happen to your skin as a result of microdermabrasion. A medical history should be taken, to ensure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t have the treatment, and you would normally be asked to sign a consent form at this time which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with microdermabrasion.
Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner, as a “before and after” comparison at a later date.
Animations provided by MEDiVision
If you have a history of herpes simplex infections (cold sores), an anti-viral drug may be prescribed as a precaution for the course of the treatment.
The skin is usually cleaned prior to treatment, and you will be provided with goggles to protect your eyes from any stray crystals as the wand of the microdermabrasion machine is passed over the skin in smooth, stroking movements. The intensity (or pressure at which the crystals hit your skin) of treatment can be varied, either by altering the amount of crystals used, the pressure used, or the length of treatment.
Crystals are directed onto the face and then immediately “vacuumed “ away, along with the loosened skin particles. All the waste goes into a separate, closed container to make sure that there is no risk of contamination from dead skin products.
The crystals are not re-used.
Follow-up treatment
This procedure can be repeated every week or so for a series of 5 to 10 sessions. Maintenance treatments can then be scheduled every three or four months.
Recovery time
Treatment usually takes around 10 – 30 minutes, but stretch marks can take as long as 2 hours to treat.
Most patients find that they can return to work immediately after treatment.