Overview
Microdermabrasion is a technique to give a fresher appearance to skin that shows signs of aging or sun damage. It proves a relatively mild treatment as far as exfoliation techniques go because it removes only a superficial layer of skin, consisting mainly of dead cells. Microdermabrasion is quicker and less expensive than deeper types of skin resurfacing, and it leaves you with fewer side effects. However, the results can prove less dramatic, so the procedure is best suited to people with only mild skin problems.
Benefits
Microdermabrasion can help, at least temporarily, with a variety of skin issues, including large or clogged pores and fine lines, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. It also enhances skin texture, giving you a smoother look and feel and can improve circulation and lymph flow. The treatment works in both dark-skinned and light-skinned patients. You can have it done on your face, neck or arms.
Procedure
Your microdermabrasion provider uses a hand piece, pressed against your skin, to spray microscopic crystals that break up dead skin. The crystals are then immediately vacuumed up. You may experience a little discomfort, similar to the sensation of having an emery board rubbed against your skin, according to DermaNetwork, an informational site about skin care. Materials used in microdermabrasion include aluminum oxide crystals, sodium bicarbonate crystals and salt crystals.
Time Frame
A session of microdermabrasion typically lasts between 30 minutes and one hour. Though often touted as having no recovery time; generally, the after-effects consist of nothing more than skin redness that lasts about an hour, according to DermaNetwork. If you need multiple treatments, you should space them about a week apart. Results last a few months.
Cost
You can generally anticipate paying $75 to $150 per treatment for microdermabrasion, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery. In the lower price range, the treatment likely comes from an esthetician or a nurse. The higher end price will buy you treatment from a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who will more likely pick up on any skin problems you may have and recommend treatment. You may need six sessions or more to get the results you want.
Warning
Not everyone is a candidate for microdermabrasion. The procedure may not prove effective, or it may cause side effects such as skin discoloration, in people who have skin conditions, advanced signs of aging, severe acne scars, sunburn or sensitive skin. Such patients can look into other anti-aging options, according to the Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery, such as injectable treatments, facelift and laser scar removal.
