Microdermabrasion is a lighter cosmetic procedure than dermabrasion. It uses a mechanical medium for exfoliation in order to gently remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis. Most commonly, microdermabrasion uses two different parts. The first part is an exfoliating material like crystal or diamond flakes and then a machine-based suction that gently lifts up the skin during exfoliation. It is a non-invasive procedure and can be performed in-office by a trained skin care professional. It can also be done at home using a variety of products that are designed to mechanically exfoliate the skin. Other skin procedures that can be performed include botox, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and juvederm.
Microdermabrasion is a fairly simple, easy, painless, skin rejuvenation procedure. Typically there are no needles or anesthetics required for microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is often compared to the feeling of a cat licking the skin, it is a rough but gentle texture. A typical microdermabrasion session can last from five to 60 minutes. There is minimal to no recovery time required after microdermabrasion and most people immediately return to daily activity after a session.
Usually referred to as “microderm,” microdermabrasion is a procedure that helps to exfoliate or remove a few of the top layers of the skin, which is called the stratum corneum. Similar to brushing one’s teeth, microdermabrasion helps to remove skin “plaque” or skin debris. Human skin generally regenerates approximately at 30 day intervals, skin improvement with microdermabrasion is temporary and it needs to be repeated in average intervals of two to four weeks for continued improvement. Multiple treatments in combination with sunscreen, sun avoidance, and other skin care creams will yield the best results. Microdermabrasion treatments have minimal to few possible side effects or complications. However, some patients can experience temporary mild dryness and sun sensitivity.
