Smoother, softer, and glowing skin: isn’t that something everybody wants? And, microdermabrasion can get you all of that. In fact, it is one of the most popular skincare treatments to get your skin to look better than ever.
So, what’s stopping you from heading to your nearest skin spa, salon, or dermatologist’s office to get the treatment?
The answer is probably that you have never had such a skin treatment before, and you’re not really sure what to expect. You are probably also wondering what exactly happens during these treatments. Questions like how much it hurts or how expensive the treatment might be coming to your mind, too.
You have nothing to worry about as here are all the answers you need to your questions about microdermabrasion. Read on to know more about the treatment before you book an appointment at the nearest clinic.
What does microdermabrasion do for your skin?
Microdermabrasion is mainly used to exfoliate your skin. The treatment is expected to leave the skin smooth and soft. Within a few sessions, your skin will look radiant. It also improves the tone and texture of your skin and visibly reduces fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks, enlarged pores, and sunspots.
How can you know if you’re fit for microdermabrasion?
An esthetician, a nurse, a physician, or any trained medical personnel can do the treatment. So, if you want to know whether or not you should get microdermabrasion, consult an esthetician or a dermatologist before booking an appointment for the treatment.
The professionals will assess the depth of scars, the severity of photo-aging, textural changes, and skin type to select the right approach to treat your skin problems.
What are the main types of microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a skin treatment done by estheticians and dermatologists. There are two main types of treatment, though both are meant to exfoliate your skin.
At the time of crystal microdermabrasion, the dermatologist or esthetician will shoot micro-fine crystals on your skin using a small tube. They will vacuum up the tube to make it work. Consider this as a type of really high-powered scrubbing done to the skin.
The other type of microdermabrasion is crystal-free. In this case, a diamond-tipped stick is used to exfoliate your skin. The difference in approach has nothing to do with the outcome of the treatment.
How long would you need to get over with the treatment?
One of the best parts of microdermabrasion is that it’s a rather quick procedure that takes hardly fifteen to thirty minutes. This has also earned it the nickname of ‘lunchtime peel,’ which means people can head over to the salon during their lunch break to get the treatment.
What is the general procedure followed in microdermabrasion?
It usually starts with a consultation, where the technician takes a closer look at your skin to tell you whether you’re fit for the treatment and what you should expect from it. On the day of the treatment, you will be taken to the room where the technician will work on your skin.
After you lie down on a bed, the technician will clean the face and do the procedure. Your face will be cleaned again after the procedure to remove the stray crystals. Finally, he/she will apply sunscreen and moisturizer, and you’re good to go.
Many medispas, day spas, and salons include microdermabrasion as a part of a complete facial package. You would probably get a facial massage and mask, as well, if you have opted for such a package. It would take about sixty to ninety minutes for the whole process, in this case.
Is there a right age for microdermabrasion?
Though there are no sex or age restrictions for getting microdermabrasion, usually children over the age of twelve and adults below the age of sixty-five can go for this treatment.
There are no strict upper age limits for microdermabrasion, but when you are over seventy, the risk of skin abrasions and bruising is higher. People who are younger than the age of twelve might get the treatment, too, under the supervision of a plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
What is the cost of getting microdermabrasion?
Based on the spa or salon you have chosen and the treatment package you have opted for, microdermabrasion can cost you anywhere between $75 and $300 for each session.
Say, you visit a posh spa in an affluent locality and go for the whole facial treatment package. The price you will have to pay will be on the higher end of that scale. However, if you go for simple microdermabrasion at a local salon, then the costs will be lesser.
The key is not to concentrate solely on the price factor. It is advisable for you to shop around and research your options. It’s a proven fact for every product or service you get: the one with the highest price is not always the best.
How many sessions would you need to go to?
The number of microdermabrasion sessions you will need depends on your skin goals. Suppose you are on this vacation, and you planned to treat yourself to a spa day. You can go for just one session to make your skin look bright and feel soft.
However, if you are aiming to address a particular skin problem, you would probably need a number of sessions to see the results. It’s important to remember that microdermabrasion gives cumulative results.
Usually, six to ten sessions get scheduled at seven to fourteen days’ intervals. The frequency and number of treatments vary based on the needs of your skin and your skincare aims. You will be informed about the number of sessions you need for your condition right at the time of the initial consultation.
Is microdermabrasion a painful procedure?
The idea of getting crystals thrown on your face or some diamond-tipped wands dragged across your skin seems pretty brutal, but it is really not as painful as it might sound. Most people describe the feeling as the roughness of being licked by a cat’s tongue. Others feel it’s a kind of a rough massage that tugs on the skin a little bit.
Regardless of how people describe it, one thing is for sure: it is not painful. The technician will only work on the skin surface, and you have nothing to worry about. At least, don’t let the misconception that it will hurt stop you from getting the benefits of microdermabrasion.
What should you expect right after microdermabrasion?
As microdermabrasion works on the skin surface, there are some visible effects left by it. However, these are not called the side-effects of the treatment. Your skin might look a bit pink right after the treatment, but that fades within a couple of hours.
For about a day after the treatment, your face might look like you have got a bit of a sunburn. Other than all that, you can go through the rest of your day after the treatment, as usual. No one can immediately look at your face and tell you that you have got microdermabrasion done.
Medicated cleansers, toners, and acne treatments will sting or burn, in case you apply them to your face right after the treatment. Your technician will advise you to stop using such products for at least two to three days. Non-medicated cleansers and gentle moisturizers can be applied right after your treatment without a problem.
You will need to pay more attention to using sunscreen because your skin is now more vulnerable to sun damage. But, you already don’t leave home without sunscreen, right?
Should you consider getting microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a useful skin treatment for people having acne discoloration, mild acne, sallow or dull skin, pick marks, and superficial scars left from acne. It is also a good idea for the patients having superficial problems on their skin, along with super-busy lifestyles that make them look for skin treatments with virtually no downtime or side effects.
If you have deeper acne scars, you might need longer to get your desired results. You would also benefit more from surgical dermabrasion performed by physicians, or look into other options like laser resurfacing and chemical peeling.
Should I get microdermabrasion if I have melasma?
Melasma is a skin condition where brownish patches appear on the face due to overexposure to the sun or hormonal changes at the time of pregnancy.
Microdermabrasion is helpful in the treatment of melasma and other kinds of hyperpigmentation. The best way of treating melasma through microdermabrasion is to go for the treatment monthly or biweekly, and follow it up with daily sunscreens, glycolic acid peel offs, and creams with four-percent hydroquinone.
Multiple sessions, with avoiding direct sun exposure, will help in yielding the best results. However, microdermabrasion will not permanently get rid of melasma.
Is microdermabrasion helpful in cases of keratosis pilaris?
In keratosis pilaris, small bumps (like acne) and rough patches appear on the skin. The condition is a result of the over-production of the protein known as keratin, which blocks hair follicles and makes bumps appear. Microdermabrasion temporarily improves the condition of keratosis pilaris, especially if it’s on the upper arms.
Anyone suffering from keratosis pilaris can go for microdermabrasion monthly or biweekly, and combine it with AmLactin and other Lac-Hydrin lotions and glycolic peels. But, do not expect to see great improvements in the condition.
Are the at-home kits for microdermabrasion effective enough?
Most of the kits and machines available for microdermabrasion at home are not as effective as the professional treatments. The at-home kits are usually unable to offer in-depth skin abrasion or effectively remove all the dead skin cells, as professional treatments with their vacuum action do.
There are several top-notch skin care companies that have come up with at-home kits for microdermabrasion. In these kits, you would usually get an abrasive scrub or cream and a tool to apply that cream. These creams generally have crystals of aluminum oxide as the active ingredient, which are also used by professionals in microdermabrasion treatments.
In fact, you would also get microdermabrasion cloths in the market now. These cloths have microfibers, which are so tightly woven that the cloths can abrade your skin. Removal of the surface cells helps in achieving results that are close to deep exfoliation.
What can home remedies be used to produce the effects of microdermabrasion?
You can exfoliate your skin in multiple ways using home remedies, such as the ones given below:
- Using a facial sponge, loofah, or pumice stone
- Using beach sand for gentle exfoliation
- Preparing homemade honey and brown sugar rubs
- Applying Epsom salt rubs or sea salt scrubs
However, remember that even though all these home remedies will help in skin exfoliation, the results will not be similar to professional microdermabrasion.
Can you use medical insurance to cover the cost of microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is considered a cosmetic procedure, and thus, conventional medical insurance companies don’t cover it. However, as microdermabrasion is also used for the treatment of medical conditions like keratosis pilaris, melasma, acne scarring, and acne, some costs can be deducted as medical expenses.
In certain cases, the benefits of health plans like the HRA (Health Remittance Accounts) or HSA (Health Savings Accounts) can be used as payment options for microdermabrasion. You should check the provisions and benefits listed in your plan and review the tax deductions with your wealth manager or a tax accountant.
The endnote
Microdermabrasion is an absolutely safe procedure for most people, and it helps you get visibly smoother skin. However, even though it’s a great skincare treatment, it’s not miraculous. You shouldn’t go in expecting it to treat deeper acne scars, wrinkles, and lines.
It is important to make sure that you and your technician are on the same page in terms of the results expected from the procedure. This will make sure that there are no disappointments after the treatment, and you go home happy with your results.
So, are you ready to book the consultation now?
