Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic treatment that involves thorough and controlled exfoliation to help diminish discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles and light acne scarring. Regular treatments help control blemishes and manage common environmental exposures from pollution, dirt and sun exposure to give you smoother, more even skin.
However, not everyone is an ideal candidate for microdermabrasion. Learn more about this treatment and the conditions it can address.
What Is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive, non-surgical and non-chemical exfoliation treatment that scrapes away the top layer of skin. This exposes the younger skin below and encourages collagen production.
A handheld device with aluminum oxide crystals on the end gently detaches and sloughs away loose, dead and damaged skin cells. While the results won’t be instant, this process causes the skin to generate cells containing more elastin and collagen, creating a smoother appearance over time.
To maintain the appearance of your skin:
- Microdermabrasion smooths the existing surface, removes dead skin cells and stimulates new growth.
- Microdermabrasion also helps encourage blood flow to your skin, which further contributes to a more youthful and brighter appearance.
- Multiple treatments help decrease the appearance of existing pigmentation, lines, wrinkles and scarring and can improve texture and skin tone.
- Long term, microdermabrasion treatments can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, shallower acne scars and the effects of sun damage.
- The non-invasive approach does not require anesthetic and involves no downtime.
Some patients may experience redness, flakiness and dryness after the procedure that goes away within a couple of days.
Who’s a Good Candidate?
People with superficial to moderate pigment or textural concerns see the best results. Deeper-penetrating procedures are needed for more prominent scars and wrinkles. In general, most skin types respond to microdermabrasion regardless of pigment, age or sensitivity.
The procedure can be ideal if you’re looking:
- To minimize the early signs of aging
- For a less-invasive treatment to reduce the appearance of minor discoloration, including age spots, uneven skin tone or more pigmented acne scars
- For a way to brighten your skin tone and unclog your pores
Microdermabrasion provides a non-invasive cosmetic treatment to address:
- Larger pores
- Mild cases of rosacea
- Uneven skin texture
- Melasma
- Age and sun spots
- Shallow and pigmented acne scars
- Light, superficial facial scars
- Fine lines
Based on other procedures you’ve had, you may need to hold off on microdermabrasion if you:
- Recently received fillers or collagen injections
- Regularly tan
- Recently had the area waxed
Who’s Not a Candidate for Microdermabrasion?
If you have deeper wrinkles, creases or acne scarring, microdermabrasion may irritate the skin or not provide the desired results. In these cases, lasers and chemical peels penetrate deeper and lead to more significant skin changes.
Those who are pregnant, currently have acne or a condition resulting in lesions, cold sores or keloid scars should avoid the procedure, as it may exacerbate existing skin issues or result in deeper scarring.
Are you interested in trying microdermabrasion? Schedule an appointment at the Vein Centers of Connecticut today.