To obtain softer, smoother, and glowing skin, the benefits of microdermabrasion might well turn users into fanatics!
For people new to the term, the ‘abrasion’ part of microdermabrasion can be a cause for slight alarm. But just like weightlifting tears the muscles to build them, and running until you’re out of breath improves lung capacity, some light abrasion of the skin can make it come back newer, stronger, and healthier than before.
Microdermabrasion uses a device or machine with diamond or crystal-encrusted heads to physically slough away dead skin cells on the outer layer of the epidermis. A suction function then vacuums them away along with other dirt and debri, leaving the skin sparkly clean and smooth. This process is referred to as ‘mechanical exfoliation’.
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Is Microdermabrasion Good for Your Skin?
Microdermabrasion is a treatment offered professionally by dermatologists as well as professional therapists and estheticians in beauty spas and salons. It’s gentle and non-invasive and is considered to be safe for most types of skin.
People want their skin to look the best it can and microdermabrasion can help achieve a radiant complexion with smoother, softer skin.
What Skin Concerns does Microdermabrasion Address?
Microdermabrasion isn’t just for exfoliating. It can provide a wide range of skin benefits, and target a whole range of concerns. Common complexion issues that can be improved with microdermabrasion include:
- Rejuvenation of dull, lifeless skin
- Uneven skin tone
- Signs of ageing such as wrinkles and fine lines
- Enlarged pores
- Imbalanced skin, either dry or oily
- Pigmentation and discolouration such as age spots and sun damage
- Acne, scarring, and stretch marks
- Addresses sagging skin
The Benefits of Microdermabrasion
Looking at this same list of concerns, let’s go into further detail about the top benefits of microdermabrasion on your face and how exactly the procedure can address each one.
1. Facial Benefits – Rejuvenation of Dull, Lifeless Skin
Microdermabrasion spirits away dry and dead skin cells, revealing a new, shiny layer of skin underneath. New cell turnover is stimulated, meaning that once that new outer layer begins to shed, further healthy cells will be quick to replace them. This leaves the skin with a brighter, smoother surface that reflects light rather than absorbs it.
2. Microdermabrasion Pro’s For Uneven Skin Tone
Many people feel self-conscious about an uneven skin tone. Products like tinted primers, concealers, and full-coverage foundations only mask the problem. Even with makeup, it can be hard to achieve a polished appearance with an uneven base.
Microdermabrasion dramatically decreases the need for heavy foundations by evening out skin tone and texture naturally. Following treatment, your skin will look clear, fresh, and even as soon as you wake up in the morning.
3. Anti-Aging Benefits – Improved Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Another benefit of “irritating” the skin with mechanical exfoliation is the healing response it prompts. This means your skin has increased powers to heal itself. In the recovery phase, after microdermabrasion, existing damage caused by sun, stress, and time, start to heal at a faster rate. You’ll notice a decrease in fine lines around the eyes and forehead with continued microdermabrasion treatment.
4. Good For Large Pores
Anyone who struggles with large pores will know how difficult it is to reduce their appearance. It can also lead to problem skin, blackheads, blemishes and acne thanks to dirt more easily working its way in. You can use tightening toners, or rinse your face with cold water, but you’ll likely find your pores reopen again as soon as your skin gets warm.
Microdermabrasion helps to make pores look smaller through its exceptional pore-cleaning powers. The suction function in the process when using any home machine enables deep cleansing of the pores. The effects are clean, empty, and much less noticeable.
5. Imbalance, Benefits For Dry or Oily Skin
Suction combined with a microdermabrasion head helps to vacuum out excess oil (sebum) on the skin. This can help your skin to rebalance itself, and stop overproducing oil that can lead to spots and acne. Similarly, it can help to encourage drier skin to produce more oil.
6. Benefits of Microdermabrasion for Hyperpigmentation
By working on the top layer of skin, microdermabrasion targets discoloration at the surface level. It helps your natural cell regeneration to ‘work out’ pigment stuck in the skin. Microdermabrasion is a great anti-ager for the effect it has on age and liver spots, and damage caused by the sun like pigmentation and freckling.
7. Benefits for Acne, Scarring, and Stretch Marks
Similar to the above, microdermabrasion helps your body to process and get rid of scar tissue, whether from injury, acne, stretch marks, or otherwise. The gentle abrasion action removes the outer layer of skin, known as the stratum corneum, of the epidermis.
Although skin cells renew themselves every 28-30 days or so, regular microdermabrasion treatments will constantly slough away the old dead skin cells, revealing the new, fresher, brighter skin below.
8. Effects on Sagging Skin
Finally, microdermabrasion stimulates the production of collagen and elastin in the skin – the compounds that keep our complexions strong and bouncy. As we age, our collagen and elastin levels slowly deplete, as does our skin’s ability to hold water. This can lead to sagging and a loss of structure in the features, especially around the mouth, jaw, and jowls. Microdermabrasion helps to ward off this sagging by keeping collagen and elastin production firing on all cylinders.
Microdermabrasion was developed as a clinical way of treating the raised scars of burns victims
Does Microdermabrasion Have Side Effects?
Although there are lots of benefits to be had from microdermabrasion, an area of concern with any skin treatment is potential side effects.
You may notice some very short-term side effects following treatment, like redness and slight swelling. You might experience dryness and flakiness, due to your skin cell production ramping up.
In some cases, minor bruising can occur but following this, there are usually no lasting side effects. The process is safe and regulated. If you have a particular skin condition such as rosacea or active acne, it’s always best to check with a doctor or dermatologist beforehand.
Microdermabrasion does have contraindications, cases where it is not advisable to have treatment for a number of reasons. But in general, it is suitable for all types of healthy skin, without any surface irritation or inflammation.
How Often Should You Have Microdermabrasion?
This depends on the type of microdermabrasion you are using.
More intensive technology and heavy-duty machines are used for professional salon treatments. You should start with 2-4 appointments a month depending on your skin type and aesthetic goals, dropping down to 1-2 per month for regular maintenance.
At-home microdermabrasion machines tend to be gentler, so you can use them more frequently. Most manufacturers suggest use every 2-3 days, but be sure to check the instructions, as the power of each device will vary. Some people will need to use their device less frequently than others.
Keep an eye on your skin’s reaction and the longevity of the benefits. You can adapt your routine according to your individual goals and results.
How Long do the Effects of Microdermabrasion Last?
Sadly, microdermabrasion is not a permanent, one-and-done solution.
Our natural skin tissues usually regenerate approximately every 30 days. This means that the normal behavior and appearance of your skin will return to normal without continued treatment. Old, dried out and dead skin cells can gather on the skin’s surface, just like they did before treatments started, resulting in dull, lifeless skin.
To see real a difference that starts to last longer, at least 6 to 12 professional treatments are needed. If you’re using a home microdermabrasion device, it’s easy and convenient to maintain your results with regular treatments as part of your skincare routine.
To Conclude
The benefits of microdermabrasion for all over skin health are numerous. In particular, it’s a very effective treatment for anti-aging, scarring and acne-prone skin. Treatments are quick whether you opt to attend a dermatologist or spa or simply use a home device. There’s no downtime involved and results can be seen immediately.
For some of us, great-looking healthy skin is in our genes, with a little looking after of course – for the rest of us – its microdermabrasion.
