How Microdermabrasion can beautify your skin in 60 minutes or less

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How Microdermabrasion can beautify your skin in 60 minutes or less
By Carolyn Schweitzer

Microdermabrasion is one of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures available today.

The benefits of microdermabrasion are many! It's suitable for just about any skin type and helpful at any age, and there's no recovery time -- so you don't have to miss work or cancel any public appearances while you're having treatment! You'll see an overall improvement in your skin's surface -- and the result is a smoother, softer, more youthful looking complexion. It will probably also be less dry and this means "plumper". Plumper skin shows fewer fine lines. Some women even see a bit of a "glow" to their skin, and many claim that regular treatments keep them looking years younger.

Sounds good so far...but let's clear up some common points of confusion about microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion shouldn't be confused with Dermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion is a superficial, non-invasive treatment that results in resurfacing of the topmost layers of the skin. It requires a series of appointments and monthly to biannual maintenance is recommended. It can be performed by a nurse or licensed aesthetician.

Dermabrasion is a more invasive procedure involving an actual mechanical scraping of the top layers of the skin, and going deeper below the surface. It requires an anesthetic to block pain. Usually, it's done in one session but it requires an initial healing time of two weeks (during which you probably won't want to go to out). Initially there is redness and swelling, and complete healing takes about 3 months. For black skin, Asian skin, or other dark complexions, blotchiness or permanent discoloration are possible. Dermabrasion is considered surgery, and should only be performed by a qualified plastic surgeon.

Give the scary -sounding nature of dermabrasion, why wouldn't everyone opt for it's kinder, gentler counterpart?

Well... you have to understand the limitations of microdermabrasion:

While microdermabrasion can do a nice job of smoothing out your skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, and helping reduce surface dryness, it won't remove deep lines, wrinkles, or scars. No one can guarantee that it will get rid of age spots either. Dermabrasion is a better choice for those problems. And it certainly won't help sagging skin or firm up those bags under your eyes. It's nothing like a face lift. Finally, people with severe acne or other types of skin infections shouldn't have either procedure done.

On the other hand, microdermabrasion has lots of advantages over dermabrasion:

Microdermabrasion safe for just about any skin type. It's extremely unlikely that darker skin tones will have any problems with blotchiness or discoloration from microdermabrasion. It's not painful. Although some women describe a mild stinging sensation, no one needs anesthetic for it! It's an excellent alternative for skin that's too sensitive for chemical exfoliation (such as chemical peels, retin A creams, etc). And since it normally takes from 15 to 30 minutes with no recovery time needed, you can literally do it on your lunch hour.

How does it work?
The process involves tiny aluminum oxide crystals that are delivered in a steady stream across the skin, removing the surface layers of dead skin cells. Most of you have heard of exfoliating your skin -- this is just a very efficient, effective way of doing it. The crystals are delivered under pressure from a small wand, or handpiece, which also has a vacuum to suction up the used crystals and exfoliated cells.

While microdermabrasion is extremely safe, it can still do damage if performed by someone who lacks experience. Be certain that you have a qualified nurse or licensed aesthetician performing your treatment. It can also be done by a plastic surgeon, although I'm sure that would be more costly.

How many visits are involved?
There seems to be disagreement about how many sessions are needed, how long they should be, and how far apart. The experts I consulted quoted anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes for a session up to 30 to 60 minutes. Some say the initial number of sessions should be 5, others quote 5 to 12. Some say the initial sessions should be a week apart, followed by monthly maintenance treatments, and others say the sessions should be a month apart and that maintenance is biannual (every 6 months). With so much variation, my advice would be to choose someone qualified (and with some happy clients whom you've spoken to) and follow their advice. The schedule might depend to some extent on your age, skin type, and the condition of your skin.

Is it expensive?
Expect to pay $100 to $300 per session. Cost probably depends on where you live, the credentials of the person providing the service, and what type of facility you go to.

Author Details:
Carolyn Schweitzer

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