What is Microdermabrasion?
Is it still effective in 2021?
Microdermabrasion is an invasive skin procedure to improve your skin complexion. It utilizes very fine crystals or a diamond encrusted tip to gently sand away the top skin layer called the epidermis, thus diminishing fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, dark spots, age spots, acne scars and melasma. This results in a more youthful appearance due to an overall improvement in skin tone and texture.
The procedure is not painful at all and usually takes approximately an hour to complete. Redness and mild inflammation similar to a sunburn can occur after a treatment, and they normally last for several days.
Benefits of Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion has been around since the mid-90s, and it is practically safe. Most patients choose it to address the following commonly treated skin conditions:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Sun Damage
- Acne scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Age spots
- Brown spots
- Enlarged pores
- Skin tone and texture
- Melasma
Also, bear in mind the effectiveness of the treatment depends largely on the severity and size of treatment area.
Crystal vs Diamond Tip Microdermabrasion
In crystal microdermabrasion, super-fine crystals of aluminum oxide or sodium bicarbonate spray onto your treated area via a wand. The crystals then exfoliate your skin similar to sandblasting and are simultaneously sucked away through the wand.
Instead of using crystals, diamond tip microdermabrasion utilizes a detachable round tip that is embedded with diamond particles. The tip is similar to a sandpaper, and it is attached to a wand. It sands your treated area while vacuuming away exfoliated skin.
Some patients prefer diamond tip microdermabrasion because it doesn’t leave behind crystal residues on their skin. They also don’t need to be concerned about the crystals accidentally getting into their eyes, mouths or noses.
Recovery Time and Side Effects
Very little recovery time is needed for microdermabrasion. The usual recovery time is around 24 hours. Patients may also experience redness, inflammation and mild swelling, but they will subside within a few hours.
Applying moisturizer and avoiding prolonged sun exposure are highly recommended in order to avoid further irritating the skin and speed up recovery. If you must go outside, applying sunscreen is a must due to your skin becoming very sensitive to the sun for several weeks. Do not perform skin treatments such as chemical peels or microneedling as well as using harsh beauty products that can irritate your skin.
How Many Treatments to See Results
Results depend largely on the severity of your skin condition and your expectations, but you can expect noticeable results right after a treatment. Most clinics suggest several treatments to see desirable outcomes.
Conclusion
Crystal and diamond tip microdermabrasion are both effective. You may prefer one over another, but you need to ask as many questions as possible in your clinic before a treatment.