Microdermabrasion - everything you need to know!

When I first learned about how Microderm was discovered I was pretty shocked..

Microdermabrasion has been around for many years, dermabrasion was a technique of choice for smoothing and refinishing the skin to remove imperfections. They would do this procedure under anesthesia, the client's skin was literally frozen with liquid nitrogen. The dead skin was then removed with a rotating wire brush attached to the equivalent of a dental hand piece. Antibiotics creams and ointments are applied post procedure to the treated area, which initially has the appearance of raw meat and then is wrapped mummy style. After several weeks the body replaces the skin that has been removed with new skin. However the new skin is essentially scar tissue and will not have the same look, feel, elasticity or durability as healthy epidermal tissue.

Believe it or not microdermabrasion was first discovered as a way to resurface cockpit windows of jet airliners! The windshields would become severely scratched due to flying at high speeds through hail, rain and snow and other atmospheric particles obscuring the pilots vision so rather then replacing the windows mechanics would use high pressure to project microcrystals onto the window to remove the fine lines and scratches. It would restore the window to like new condition!

WELLLLL Microdermabrasion has come a long way since then! I promise!!

Advantages to microdermabrasion:

It will smooth, refinish, polish, rejuvenate and exfoliate the skin in controlled increments. It offers several advantages over other types of skin treatment methods, such as those that use chemicals like a glycolic peels (even though they are great too but more abrasive).

The procedure requires no anesthesia and is quite tolerable. The treatments intensity can be adjusted to to each patients comfort level.

Another advantage is the lack of downtime typically the clients face is a little red for up to 24 hours post procedure but can easily be concealed with make up, which can be applied around two to three hours after the treatment. I typically recommend my clients to have this procedure done at the very end of the day so that they don't have to wear any makeup to avoid clogging clean pores but if you have to go to work or out you can safely wear makeup with no issues. There should be no interruption of your normal activities and lifestyle.

The healing that results from microdermabrasion treatment occurs through the regrowth and replacement of epidermal tissue. Though there are not enough studies available to point toward the exact action of abrasive damage and wound healing, there is enough histopathological evidence to prove that alterations in the dermis are precipitated by epidermal injury. It is this injury that is responsible for the benefit effects of microdermabrasion on photo-aging and scarring.

Disruption of the epidermal barrier caused by microdermabrasion initiates a repair process that restores barrier function within hours to days depending on the severity of the damage. This repair process involves increased synthesis of barrier lipids, followed by the formation of new corneocytes. All these processes contribute toward an increase in the elasticity and tone of the skin.

Microdermabrasion has been found to be an effective treatment for several types of superficial skin conditions including:

• Early photo-aging

• Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles

• Superficial scarring (post acne, chicken pox, etc)

• Enlarged Pores

• Dehydration

• Removal of hyperpigmentation (age spots)

• Acne (non-inflamed)

• Stretch marks

• Scares

Conditions where microdermabrasion is contraindicated:

• Keratosis sufferers (benign skin growths)

• Active herpes simplex

• Active rosacea

• Acne vulgaris Types III & IV

• Unstable diabetes

• Certain autoimmune disorders (lupus, etc)

• Delicate capillaries

• Eczema

• Dermatitis

• Psoriasis

• Recent laser surgery or resurfacing

• Accutane treatments

• Not effective on warts, moles, birth marks or lesions

• open wounds

• above the cheekbone and below the eyebrow

• Surrounding the eye area

***ALL UNDIAGNOSED LESIONS OR ITEMS OF UNKOWN ORIGIN SHOULD BE REFFERED TO A PHYSICIAN FOR DIAGNOSIS***

Its not mandatory but always get a consultation before doing any treatment to your skin, you want to make sure the treatment is the right one for you and your skin type.

Make sure to tell your skincare specialist of any medical history or issues with the skin that you might have. It may be a deal breaker to what they recommend to do next. Example if you currently had any accutane treatments, the skin is very vulnerable and Microderm can cause damage if it hasn't been a certain amount of time in between treatments.

Make sure they explain the procedure that they recommend to you thoroughly and ask why they think this treatment is the best for your skin type and the most effective. We all know that these treatments are not cheap so you want to get the most for your money.

If you have any other questions about microdermabrasion and you want to send me a picture of your skin I would be happy to guide you in the right direction with who to see and what you should look into. You could email me here!

I hope this helps answer some questions that you have!

Nat