Should You Have Microdermabrasion Treatments?

You've heard of them, but should you have the popular microdermabrasion treatments? It depends, but the benefits of microdermabrasion for your complexion are proven. The name of the procedure sounds intimidating and like it might be painful, but it’s not. It’s actually an almost soothing cosmetic treatment that yields real results for skin rejuvenation.

Patients and clients in our Sonoma County dermatology practice love it. We've used them for years and we recommend microdermabrasion treatments as part of a complete maintenance skin care routine. Why do we encourage this? Read on for the complete explanation.

What exactly are microdermabrasion treatments?

During a microdermabrasion treatment, an aesthetician first cleans your skin, then uses the microdermabrasion machine to gradually remove layers of dead cells that are both sanded before they're vacuumed away.

The key to understanding why this is soothing is to notice the prefix "micro" in front of "dermabrasion." Cells that are removed are not the deeper cells that would elicit pain, but rather the outer cells.

The reason that the procedure is effective for rejuvenation is that both the light "sanding" coupled with the suction of the vacuum stimulate the skin mechanically and turn on the skin’s molecular wound-healing cascade. What is so surprising is that the skin is typically not "wounded" in any way that you would perceive, but you get collagen renewal as well as the immediate benefit of exfoliation and pore cleansing.

At least in our office, people find the treatments relaxing. We often combine microdermabrasion with a facial, which is also relaxing. A facial can additionally clean even deeper into the pores and can load the skin with beneficial serums and hydration.

After a microdermabrasion treatment, your skin absorbs more of the facial's goodness.

When you’re finished, you feel like you’ve had a spa treatment and your complexion is brighter, smoother and more attractive. As a bonus, your skin is on its way to more collagen renewal to help fight the signs of skin aging!

Are all microdermabrasion treatments the same?

No, there are two main types of microdermabrasion treatments:

1. one uses crystals to micro abrade the skin, and
2. the other uses a fine, sandy rod such as the diamond-studded rod used by the DiamondTome machine in our office.

Also, what is applied after a treatment can vary. In our office, we apply serums specific to your skin type knowing that they will have enhanced penetration to help your your skin problems and keep your skin healthy. Our aesthetician also recommends the right products to use between treatments to help maintain results:

"Microdermabrasion facials have clearly improved the texture and feel of my skin, and coupled with Dr. Bailey's mineral makeup that is matched to my skin tone by the aesthetician, I'm happy to report that I'm very pleased with the results." ~ Joan J. from Santa Rosa, CA

What are the proven benefits of microdermabrasion?

The exfoliation of microdermabrasion results in your skin looking brighter and smoother right away. With repeated treatments, you can expect even more improvement in smoothness, the appearance of acne scars, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. The biochemical cascade that is activated in your skin during a microdermabrasion treatment has the potential to stimulate skin collagen formation, which we all need as our skin ages and thins.

How often should you have microdermabrasion treatments?

Your skin care professional will determine this based on your goals. We often start with a treatment every week or two, and ultimately, aim for maintenance treatments every six weeks. We like to couple the treatment with a facial to keep skin looking its best and keep the pores clean.

I tell patients it’s like dusting the house, it always looks better when you do it! Like your home, your facial skin needs maintenance, and because our complexion is seen daily by friends and colleagues, we want it to look its best.

The bottom line about microdermabrasion treatments:

1. They are highly effective for skin rejuvenation and reducing the appearance of complexion flaws.
2. They are typically relaxing and feel like a treat.
3. They are a great way to keep your skin looking its best everyday.

Also, if you are interested in starting to take better care of your skin while you find the right microdermabrasion treatments near you, here are some of our favorite products we use for our microdermabrasion patients:

Dr. Bailey's Ageless Rejuvenation Facial Skin Care Kit

Complete Skin Care routine that targets everything your skin needs to fight skin aging - compatible products made with powerful ingredients and built from my 30+ years of clinical experience.

References:

Karimipour DJ, Karimipour G, Orringer JS., Microdermabrasion: an evidence-based review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010 Jan;125(1):372-7. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181c2a583.

Shim EK, Barnette D, Hughes K, Greenway HT., Microdermabrasion: a clinical and histopathologic study. Dermatol Surg. 2001 Jun;27(6):524-30.

Spencer JM, Microdermabrasion. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(2):89-92.

Kirkland EB, Hantash BM, Microdermabrasion: molecular mechanisms unraveled, part 1. J Drugs Dermatol. 2012 Sep;11(9):e2-9.

Kirkland EB, Hantash BM., Microdermabrasion: molecular mechanisms unraveled, part 2., J Drugs Dermatol. 2012 Sep;11(9):e10-7.

Karimipour DJ, Kang S, Johnson TM, Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, Voorhees JJ, Fisher G., Microdermabrasion: a molecular analysis following a single treatment., J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Feb;52(2):215-23.

Lew BL, Cho Y, Lee MH., Effect of serial microdermabrasion on the ceramide level in the stratum corneum., Dermatol Surg. 2006 Mar;32(3):376-9.