Microdermabrasion is a skin-rejuvenation technique which combines exfoliation from tiny crystals with suction to remove dead cells and other impurities from the skin. It does not use chemicals and it is not invasive, yet results in a brighter, clearer complexion. It causes minimal discomfort and is commonly described as feeling like a cat is licking your skin.
Microdermabrasion is suitable for all skin colors and types and will not result in scarring. In some cases, it can even repair and reduce scars! It has a very fast recovery time – it is even considered a “lunch break procedure”, meaning it takes little time to complete and you don’t need to take any precautionary recuperation time. You don’t need to use medications to numb the skin as it is less aggressive than other dermabrasion techniques, yet it still achieves fantastic results for many different skin complaints.
Microdermabrasion has been a popular treatment in salons since the 1990s, and now you can even treat yourself at home at a fraction of the cost.
Table Of Contents
- 1 How Does Microdermabrasion Work?
- 2 Benefits Of Microdermabrasion For Acne and Acne Prone Skin
- 3 Does Microdermabrasion Bring Acne To The Surface?
- 4 Does Microdermabrasion Work For Acne Scars, Marks And Pits?
- 5 Does Microdermabrasion Work For Active Acne?
- 6 What Does Microdermabrasion Cost For Acne And Acne Scars?
- 7 At Home Microdermabrasion For Acne
- 8 How Many Microdermabrasion Treatments Do I Need?
- 9 How Well Does Microdermabrasion Work For Acne Scars?
How Does Microdermabrasion Work?
There are two different types of microdermabrasion. The first, which is less common in at-home kits, involves firing tiny crystals at your skin under high pressure. These crystals are often aluminium oxide, but they can be a range of different compounds or even diamond.
The second type of microdermabrasion uses a crystal or diamond-tipped wand. This tip is abrasive and gently exfoliates as you swipe it across your skin without releasing the crystals. This is what most at-home microdermabrasion kits are.
In both methods, the built-in vacuum then removes the debris and leaves your skin brighter, fresher and clearer.
In most microdermabrasion devices the level of suction pressure can be adjusted to suit your tolerance. It is advisable to start low and work up when choosing a suction pressure, to prevent bruising of sensitive skin.
In some microdermabrasion devices, there is a feature which also applies a skin care product. This can enhance the microdermabrasion procedure and improve the results you see even further.
Benefits Of Microdermabrasion For Acne and Acne Prone Skin
Each person with acne suffers in a slightly different way. Some people are more prone to blackheads, while others tend to get more inflamed, red pimples and others get deep cystic acne. Microdermabrasion can help a variety of types of acne as it has a number of different benefits.
Increasing Circulation Improves Cell Function
Microdermabrasion can improve circulation in the treatment area, meaning not only blood flow is increased but also lymphatic drainage. This aids cell function in many ways.
Firstly the increased blood flow will bring more oxygen and nutrients to the cells, which means that the metabolism of the cells speeds up, giving them more energy.
This encourages other cell functions to also become more efficient, for example, the production of collagen and elastin. This makes cells healthier and therefore the skin too becomes healthier, as well as more resilient.
The increase in lymphatic drainage means that waste products from cells are carried away faster, meaning there is less build-up of debris which can lead to spots and blackheads.
Enhancing Product Results
By increasing the circulation to the skin, microdermabrasion can improve the results of topical products that you can apply to your skin to combat spots. This is because as the circulation increases, cell metabolism increases and products can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin, therefore achieving better results.
Combating Blackheads
Microdermabrasion is particularly effective in the removal of blackheads. The exfoliation removes the top of the blackhead while the suction evacuates the hardened oily contents of the pores. Subsequent occasional use of microdermabrasion can also help prevent blackheads from developing.
Reduce Pore Size
As a result of clearing out the pores, as mentioned before, you can also reduce pore size with microdermabrasion. This is because as the pores are unclogged, there is no longer debris holding them open, resulting in the pore reducing in size.
Safe
Microdermabrasion is far safer than many other treatments for acne, such as chemical peels or laser skin procedures. Other than some tightness or redness of the skin which will only last a short time after your treatment, there are no side effects and the recovery time is minimal.
Occasionally you can get some irritation to your eyes if the crystals get in, but this can be prevented with appropriate eye protection.
Your skin will be more sensitive to the sun immediately after a microdermabrasion treatment, so minimise sun exposure to prevent burning.
Suitable For Most Acne-Prone Areas
As many acne sufferers will be aware, spots don’t always just appear on your face, but also your chest, back and neck commonly. Microdermabrasion can be used in any of these areas successfully.
Multiple Uses
Microdermabrasion can also be used to soothe the appearance of wrinkles, stretch marks and other skin conditions. Therefore once you have solved your acne, your microdermabrasion still has other uses, making it even more cost-effective.
Does Microdermabrasion Bring Acne To The Surface?
Occasionally after a microdermabrasion treatment, acne may get worse temporarily. This is because the cells are clearing out the waste products. It will usually subside within a week, after which you should begin to see a noticeable improvement in your complexion, along with more suppleness to the skin.
If you are concerned about making your acne worse, ensure you clean your face with a gentle cleanser before your treatment. You should also maintain the hygiene of the microdermabrasion devices itself by cleaning it after every use and not sharing it with others.
Does Microdermabrasion Work For Acne Scars, Marks And Pits?
Microdermabrasion can increase the rate at which collagen and elastin are produced. These are proteins which make the skin soft and supple and contribute to the healing process. By increasing the rate at which these proteins are produced, microdermabrasion can soften the appearance and reduce acne scars as well as reduce the chances of new scars forming.
Does Microdermabrasion Work For Active Acne?
You should not use microdermabrasion on areas of active acne such as white, pussy spots as these areas of skin are more delicate. The process of microdermabrasion may cause the white spots, known as pustules to burst, infecting the crystals and therefore spreading the infection across your face. This can, therefore, make your acne much worse. Instead, you should wait until the pus has subsided and instead focus on areas of non-active acne.
What Does Microdermabrasion Cost For Acne And Acne Scars?
If you have microdermabrasion treatment at a dermatology clinic or salon, a single treatment could cost as much as $300, and chances are once you’ve seen the results, you’ll want to have more treatments to keep your skin looking and feeling great!
A much more cost-effective alternative is buying an at-home microdermabrasion kit. There are hundreds of products available on the market and to help you decide which one is right for you we have reviewed the best kits around.
At Home Microdermabrasion For Acne
As microdermabrasion is becoming more popular, there are now hundreds of products on the market which enable you to treat yourself at home. This not only makes it much more private and convenient but also cuts the cost of microdermabrasion dramatically. An at-home microdermabrasion device which can be used countless times can cost the same as or even much less than a single treatment of microdermabrasion at a dermatologist clinic or salon!
At-home microdermabrasion kits are small, discrete and portable, so you can even take them away with you if you like – perfect for preventing sun cream from blocking your pores on holiday! You can treat yourself in your own time and top up when needed without waiting for expensive, time-consuming appointments. Plus, you know exactly who has used your device before you and can take charge of cleaning it yourself!
To help you decide which product is right for you, check out our review of the top at-home microdermabrasion kits on the market
How Many Microdermabrasion Treatments Do I Need?
The number of microdermabrasion treatments you need varies from person to person and also depends on the type of skin condition you are treating. Many people notice an improvement after the first use, for example, if they are aiming to reduce and remove their blackheads, while others require a few treatments.
If you are concerned about the cost of microdermabrasion building up with the number of treatments needed, an at-home microdermabrasion kit will be the best solution for you. This means that you will pay the same or less than the price of a single treatment by the doctor, but if you do require more treatments, then you won’t have to pay any more.
It is important to remember if you are having more than one treatment to give your skin enough time to recover between sessions. Over-treating your skin can cause soreness, so leave at least two weeks between treatments.
How Well Does Microdermabrasion Work For Acne Scars?
The nature of microdermabrasion encouraging collagen and elastin production means that you may be able to decrease the appearance of acne scars by enhancing the healing process of the skin. It can also mean that the skin is more supple and robust against damage, and therefore less likely to form newer scars.
