Microdermabrasion is a procedure we offer at our spa in San Antonio to exfoliate your skin. The treatment uses tiny crystals for exfoliation, then pulls out impurities and debris. The process is non-invasive and does not require any chemicals. Once the dry and dead top layers of your skin have been removed, the healthy and fresh skin beneath will be revealed. The surface of your skin is rejuvenated for a brighter complexion. The procedure has two steps. This first is the gentle exfoliation of your skin’s surface. This is accomplished with a machine using tiny crystals to eliminate dead skin cells. The debris and skin cells are then removed using vacuum suction.
Microdermabrasion is appropriate for every color and type of skin without triggering changes in color or scarring. The procedure was designed to be less aggressive than standard dermabrasion. The results are excellent, the recovery time is faster and medications and needles to numb your skin are unnecessary. Dermatologists have been using this treatment for years, but the process did not gain popularity in the salons until the 1990’s. This procedure is much safer than many of the current skin procedures available. This treatment is extremely effective if you have any of the following skin issues:
- Brown spots, age spots and hyperpigmentation
- Acne scars and acne
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Stretch marks
- Uneven skin texture and tone
- Sun damage
- Blackheads and enlarged pores
- A dull complexion
- Melasma
You do not have much to do to prepare for your treatment because the procedure is minimally-invasive. You should talk to your skin care professional about your concerns prior to your procedure. This includes discussing any medical conditions, allergies, surgeries or cosmetic procedures you have had in the past. The most common recommendations are avoiding waxing, tanning creams and exposure to the sun for approximately seven days before your treatment. You should also avoid exfoliating masks and creams about three days before your procedure. Your face should be cleansed and all cosmetics removed prior to starting your treatment.
Your procedure will be performed in the office. In most cases approximately 30 to 40 minutes are required for the entire face. You should be comfortable and relaxed during your treatment because it is not painful. No numbing creams or anesthesia are necessary. The United States Food and Drug Administration originally approved this procedure in 1996. A large number of individuals have since had the procedure performed.
The Microdermabrasion Treatment
You will be sitting in a reclining chair during your treatment. A handheld device will be used by a professional to spray the particles on your skin. The surface layers of your skin in the targeted areas will be gently sanded away. Once you have completed the procedure, a moisturized will be used on your skin. There are several different options for the treatment. These are dependent on which type of device is used. Every device has two key functions. The first is a gentle exfoliation of your skin. This is accomplished with the method chosen by our skin care professional.
Some techniques use tiny crystals to achieve a highly pressurized flow on your skin. This type of crystal can be constructed using numerous different substances. Aluminum oxide is the most commonly used. The others may include diamond, sodium chloride and magnesium oxide. The second key function of the machine is the removal of your dead skin cells. The crystals have already exfoliated all of these skin cells. This process uses a vacuum built right into the machine to suction away all of the dead skin cells.
In the majority of these devices, the pressure of the suction can be adjusted for the sensitivity level of each individual. In the majority of cases, the treatment is performed as part of a series to help ensure optimal results. Most individuals require six to ten sessions scheduled apart by one to two weeks. This is dependent on the areas being treated, the way your skin reacts to the procedure and the experienced opinion of the skin professional.
Once you have completed your treatment, you should not experience any downtime. You should be able to immediately resume your regular daily routine. It is important to use gentle and high-quality skin products to be certain your skin remains hydrated. Wait one day after you have had your treatment before using any topical medications for acne. It is incredibly important to use a good sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun for several weeks after completing your treatment. This is because your skin will be more sensitive during this period of time. You should see results as soon as you have completed your treatment. It is important to keep your expectations reasonable after your first treatment. Your results should improve with each additional session.
Your skin care professional will provide you with a plan for the additional sessions needed including your treatments for periodic maintenance. One of the main reasons most individuals choose microdermabrasion as opposed to the other treatments available is safety. The treatment provides excellent results, and is safer than chemical peels or laser procedures. This is one of the safest procedures available, does not require surgery, a long period of recovery or any medications. Some individuals choose to have the treatment during their lunch break. The treatment is effective for numerous skin issues including wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, acne scars, acne, dull skin and hyperpigmentation.
The Benefits of Microdermabrasion
The treatment offers numerous additional benefits including a potential improvement in your circulation. The procedure can improve your lymphatic and blood circulation through the deepest layers of your skin. This often results in an improvement of your skin’s internal health because your cells receive additional nutrients and oxygen. As your cell processes improve, your skin elasticity increases. The treatment promotes circulation by eliminating your dead skin cells. This has been shown to increase your skin’s ability to absorb skin care products. This is especially important if you are using products for acne. Your results may improve because your skin will be more receptive.
The treatment decreases the size of your pores and unclogs them. Every person is born with a specific pore size. Unfortunately, they are often enlarged due to numerous external factors. This can be caused by skin inflammation, clogged pores and hygiene. The procedure assists in removing the blockage to improve the natural hygiene of your skin. The majority of individuals choose to use this treatment for their faces. Many people are unaware that this procedure can also be used on the neck.
This procedure is popular for decreasing acne by eliminating most of the impurities and dead skin cells often responsible for blocking the pores. This is what causes both spots and inflammation. Your cells are also provided with additional oxygen and nutrients. This enables them to turnover faster. Your production of collagen is stimulated to provide the appearance of more supple and softer skin. This is extremely effective for decreasing blackheads. The exfoliation often removes the tip of the blackhead. The hardened oil remaining can then be suctioned away with the vacuum. Your pore size may be reduced because the clogs holding them open have been removed.
This treatment is popular among individuals interested in decreasing the appearance of acne scars so often accumulated from numerous acne breakouts. The procedure has the highest rate of success on the superficial scars. This is due to the promotion of the production of collagen, the improvement in circulation and the enhanced healing of the procedure. The process can also lighten the look of hyperpigmentation in numerous areas. This is because your damaged cells are being replaced by faster turnover of new cells. The process helps even your skin tone, boosts your collagen production, and lowers the incidences of hyperpigmentation.
Wrinkles and fine lines are very common skin concerns. They usually show a marked improvement from this treatment. This is especially true due to the natural promotion of your production of collagen. Collagen is responsible for stimulating your skin renewal process. As people begin to age, their production of collagen starts to decrease. Once this process has been increased, the result is often a delay in wrinkles and fine lines forming in addition to a reduction in the appearance of these issues. Wrinkles and fine lines are caused by damage from the sun and repetitive expressions.
The procedure reduces the look of numerous scar types including accidents and surgery. It is important to understand scars will require more treatments than any other issue to achieve optimal results. The majority of scars have an irregular shape with increased superficial pigmentation in the surrounding areas. This is why scars are so easy to see. This treatment can lessen the irregular edges while decreasing the look of hyperpigmentation. Your collagen production stimulation and improved circulation helps promote healing. Your treatments must be scheduled far enough apart to allow enough time for your skin to recover.
Another kind of scar is a stretch mark. These originate in your dermis skin layer. This type of scar is often extremely hard to treat. This procedure has been shown to be helpful at decreasing the look of stretch marks. The promotion of elastin and collagen improves your circulation and helps your skin remain supple. This helps your skin heal and provides essential nutrients. This is why microdermabrasion can stop your stretch marks from becoming even worse. Your skin care products can also penetrate much more effectively. Combining high quality topical skin care products and microdermabrasion may enable your stretch marks to fade.
The results you may notice right after your first procedure are dependent on the specific issues you are having treated. This is especially true if you are having a treatment to help eliminate blackheads or brighten your skin. The majority of other skin conditions usually require additional sessions before you start to see the difference. With the exception of deeper scarring, you should be able to achieve optimal results within five to eight sessions. You may want to consider the occasional maintenance treatment to help ensure the longevity of your results. In most cases, you will not need to have the entire area treated again. Treating just a small area is generally sufficient.
One of the top benefits is the procedure is fast. This is dependent on the size and location of the targeted area. The best reasons to have this treatment include:
- The treatment offers excellent results
- The procedure can improve the effectiveness of skin care products by fifty percent
- Surgery is not necessary
- There is no downtime
- Needles and numbing agents are not required
- The procedure is fast
- Safer than other treatments such as chemical peels
- The treatment is painless
- Extremely effective for a wide variety of skin issues
- Appropriate for everyone
If you are interested in microdermabrasion, feel free to reach out to the educated professionals at Spa Black. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have at our med spa in San Antonio. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!