Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is used for skin resurfacing and treating a range of skin abnormalities. It’s a system of intense exfoliation and resurfacing that rejuvenates and cleans the skin.
By exfoliating the skin, microdermabrasion stimulates the production of new, living cells at the base level of the skin, resulting in healthier, fresher skin with enhanced elasticity and texture. Over the series of treatments, patients will notice a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, tightening of enlarged pores, elimination of blackheads and whiteheads, reduction of scarred tissue (such as acne or chicken pox scars),and reduction of blemishes caused by sun damage.
Microdermabrasion is a reasonably comfortable procedure and doesn’t require anaesthesia. The practitioner moves a hand piece, about the size of your little finger (called a wand), across the skin. On the end of the wand there is a disc which has small diamonds on its surface, making it like very fine sand paper. As the wand is moved over the skin the diamonds gently remove the dead skin cells from the skin surface. When the treatment is completed the skin has a red healthy glow due to the increased circulation in the skin. This increased circulation brings with it oxygen and nutrients to refresh and regenerate the skin.
A course of treatments is required. Depending on what is being treated usually 5-8, 6 being the standard. These treatments would ideally be 7-10 days apart, and no longer than 14. The skin needs ample time to regenerate between sessions, therefore it’s not recommended to have treatments before this time.
Results are immediate, with patients noticing improvements after the first treatment, skin will feel smoother. After the third treatment skin is visibly glowing. There is no healing time.
After the treatment the skin may feel tight as if exposed to sun or wind, and some flaking may be experienced. There may also be some marked redness, which will subside in a few hours due to increased circulation. It is advisable not to go swimming, exercise, or have any sun exposure for 24 hours. Makeup can be applied but is desirable to leave the skin clean and fresh for the remainder of the day. Where acne has been treated the area may be red for several days and occasionally a small scab may form lasting 4 days. Microdermabrasion may aggravate the small blood vessels (Telangiectasis) on the face but does not cause them. Occasionally, especially in acne patients, the surface of the skin can be scratched (like a finger nail scratch) which heals quickly. Small red spots can occasionally be seen which clear in a few days, this usually occurs in clients with sun damaged skin. Microdermabrasion can be a dehydrating procedure, so it is important to follow up with proper home skincare routine.
Microdermabrasion is suitable for most skin types. To ensure the treatment is tailored specifically to your particular skin type we encourage all patients who are considering undergoing this procedure to first complete a complimentary SCRIPT Skin Type Test.
People with the following conditions shouldn’t be treated:
- Viral lesions, active herpes simplex
- Eczema or dermatitis
- Broken skin
- Vascular lesions
- Recent sunburn
- Recent use of Roaccutane