Am I a Good Candidate for Ultrasonic Microdermabrasion?
By Neel Kanase | Published on October 11, 2010 | 0 Comments
Are you a good candidate for ultrasonic microdermabrasion? This relatively new approach to a classic cosmetic procedure is ideal for patients who are concerned about uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, and dark spots, says Neel Kanase, MD of Lubbock Laser Clinic, a popular medical spa in Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Kanase says that ultrasonic microdermabrasion is a safe, comfortable alternative to more invasive skin resurfacing procedures. And, unlike a chemical peel, ultrasonic microdermabrasion involves zero downtime and minimal redness.
What Is It?
According to Dr. Kanase, microdermabrasion is one of the oldest and most popular anti-aging treatments available today. Used to treat redness, blemishes, skin discoloration, minor scarring and fine lines, microdermabrasion involves using a special device to remove dead, dry skin cells from the skin’s surface, revealing the younger, smoother and more evenly toned skin below.
“While a chemical peel removes layers of damaged skin,” Dr. Kanase explains, “microdermabrasion simply sloughs off dead skin cells. It’s a form of exfoliation.” Some microdermabrasion machines use salt or aluminum hydroxide crystals to exfoliate. Others have diamond-tipped exfoliating surfaces.
It’s the ultrasonic component of ultrasonic microdermabrasion that makes the procedure so popular with patients. “In fact, we no longer offer traditional microdermabrasion,” Dr. Kanase says. His facility switched permanently to the ultrasonic version when it became clear that the results were simply much better than with classic microdermabrasion.
“In ultrasonic microdermabrasion,” Dr. Kanase explains, “ultrasound waves are used to gently exfoliate the skin.” When the procedure is performed, a technician first sprays the face with water. The ultrasound waves transform the water droplets into tiny jets that deep clean the pores and improve the skin’s texture and tone. While classic microdermabrasion can sometimes cause broken capillaries in patients with very sensitive skin, ultrasonic microdermabrasion does not.
Is It Right for You?
Ultrasonic microdermabrasion is ideal for those bothered by minor skin problems but do not wish to undergo more time-consuming, invasive, expensive procedures like laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels or dermabrasion. If you have realistic expectations, says Dr. Kanase, then you may be quite surprised at the results that can be obtained with ultrasonic microdermabrasion. “It is quite popular in our clinic because our patients find it very comfortable and are very happy with the results,” he says.
Ultrasonic microdermabrasion (and classic microdermabrasion) are most effective at reversing some of the first signs of aging, like minor sun spots, dull-looking skin, and fine lines and wrinkles (such as crow’s feet). After the procedure, the skin generally looks lighter, brighter, more evenly toned and more youthful.
If you have deeper lines and wrinkles or more serious pigmentation issues, Dr. Kanase says, then you may wish to consider a more intensive treatment. Before selecting a medical spa for your microdermabrasion treatment, talk to the technicians about what types of exfoliating agents are used (ultrasonic microdermabrasion is relatively new and certainly not available everywhere). Also, be sure to clearly explain your concerns about your skin and what you hope to gain from the procedure. “A good medical spa will be able to help steer you toward the right procedure for your skin type, age and skin condition,” Dr. Kanase insists.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.