Microdermabrasion In Plain Dealings

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. Alternatively some systems use “diamond microdermabrasion” where the treatment tip contains tiny diamonds that abrade the skin. 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.

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.
 

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.

The treatment is usually painless and doesn’t irritate the skin greatly. All patients will experience some tightness and redness of the skin, which may last for an hour or two following treatment.

On occasions, redness or streaking of the skin may continue for a day or so and sensitive skin around the eyes can become swollen, but cold compresses will help to get rid of this side effect.

Deeper treatments aimed at scar tissue or stretch marks may produce some spotting of blood, with healing taking around 3 - 4 days.

There is a very small risk of mild pigment changes to the skin that generally clear up within a month, and the risk of any scarring is very rare with this procedure.

This treatment is generally suitable for all skin types.

Patients not suitable are those who have any active skin infections (such as cold sores); a history of problems with skin healing; or those who have taken isotretinoin within the last 6-12 months.

Microdermabrasion treatments can be in the £40 - £70 range for a 30 minute treatment session.

Multiple treatment sessions are usually offered at a discount.

 

 

Acne before (left) and after (right) - 8 microdermabrasion treatments, carried out once a week.

 

Fine lines around the eyes before (left) and after (right) - after 6 microdermabrasion treatments, once per week

 

Acne Scarring before (left) and after (right) - 5 of 10 microdermabrasion treatments, once per week

 

Before (left) and after (right) - Comedone (black heads) removal - immediately after one treatment

 

Before (left) and after (right) - Post Laser Blending with 4 microdermabrasion treatments, once each week

Images provided courtesy of Eden Aesthetics Distribution Ltd.

All before and after photographs are real patients, your results may differ.