Microdermabrasion
Less invasive than a chemical peel, Microdermabrasion freshens up the skin and removes sun damage and age spots with the
use of small crystals. It stimulates the production of skin cells and collagen, and has become a very popular non-surgical cosmetic technique.
Licensed Microdermabrasion practitioners are often found in day spas and medical spas. As with so many cosmetic surgery techniques, it was developed in France, from where it spread across Europe and to the US in the early 1990s. Microdermabrasion is a less severe version of Dermabrasion (which is usually carried out under general anaesthetic).
Microdermabrasion Basics
There are 4 different types of Microdermabrasion. All of them work in two distinct ways - by cleansing skin pores (and therefore healing existing acne) and by eliminating dead skin cells (thus preventing future acne).
Peeling
Unlike a Chemical Peel, which uses aggressive chemicals to take off your top layer, a
Microdermabrasion peel involves spraying a jet of
microcrystals on to the skin. from a handheld machine. The friction caused by these crystals removes the dead skin cells.
Corundum Crystal Machines
The corundum crystal machine uses ultra-hard corundum crystals to create the friction on your skin. These crystals are second only to
diamonds in their hardness, and are inert so will not give any allergic reactions. Again, the treatment is given by a handheld machine.
Other Crystal Machines
Rather than Corundum, some machines use other crystals including Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Chloride and Magnesium Oxide.
Without Crystals
Some Microdermabrasion machines will use sandpaper or diamond-tipped devices. These are more expensive, due to the materials use, but are not
so different in terms of the final result from other types of machine.
Is Microdermabrasion for you?
Microdermabrasion is for use on less severe wrinkling and skin damage than a chemical peel would be used for. Light wrinkles, light age spots and sun damage can all be improved with Dermabrasion. It can also reduce the coloring of scar tissue.
Microdermabrasion Dangers
Patients should apply sunscreen and stay out of the sun as far as possible for a week after the peel. You should also moisturise every day. Anyone who has taken an acne treatment named Accutane in the last 6 months, should take care as this combination can lead to permanent scarring.