You are here: Home » Cosmetic Procedures » What is Microdermabrasion?

What is Microdermabrasion?

By Jon Ellowitz | Published on August 24, 2009 | 0 Comments

What is microdermabrasion?

Have you heard about contracting companies that clean old peeling paint off buildings by sandblasting them? If you can imagine that on a much smaller scale, then you’re on your way to understanding microdermabrasion, one of the more recent skin-care and skin-management treatments to hit the dermatology market.

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that day spas, doctor’s offices, dermatologists, and medical spas are offering these days – especially as an alternative to plastic surgery and BOTOX.

Here’s the gist of it, starting with a little refresher from biology class: Our skin can be divided into two layers, the dermis, and the epidermis. Microdermabrasion has to do with the epidermis.

The very top layer of the epidermis is called the stratum corneum, and this is where most wrinkle lines and blemishes are on the skin. The stratum corneum is a bunch of dead cells on the outermost surface of our skin, serving as a sort of buffer for out skin against the world.

Microdermabrasion targets the stratum corneum and removes it. Along with it go blemishes, wrinkles, raised scars, and acne scars.

So once the stratum corneum is gone, the body rushes to replace it with a new outermost layer of skin. The point is to give the skin’s surface a fresh start, with no sign of the blemished history that was erased.

Here’s how it works: jets of zinc oxide, aluminum oxide crystals, or fine organic particles are aimed directly at the affected skin. These particles basically sandblast away the dead layer of stratum corneum.

It’s most often used on the neck, face, arms, and hands. Each treatment takes about 30 minutes to one hour. Five to twelve treatments are recommended, once every two to three weeks. After the cycle of treatments, the next step is scheduling a cycle of follow-up maintenance visits to ensure the continuation of microdermabrasion results.

Who is it for?

Here’s a list of the conditions that you could treat with microdermabrasion: sun-damaged skin, raised scars, acne, dark spots, clogged pores, fragile capillaries, vascular lesions, warts, open sores, eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Microdermabrasion is also especially suited to those who are sensitive to chemical procedures.

The pros and cons:

Microdermabrasion is not generally painful in the slightest, and it requires no anesthetic. It’s trumpeted as the main alternative to plastic surgery and BOTOX. In the end, you not only eliminate the blemishes that had bothered you, but you get a healthy, fresh look and feel to your skin. And it’s suited to skin of all colors and types.

You can resume normal activity right away. That’s why microdermabrasion is sometimes called a “lunch hour” procedure. Side effects include swelling and redness that can last from one hour to two days. You can’t just go once; multiple sessions are called for. And at the price of microdermabrasion, the whole process can start to cost you.

Let’s take a look at the cost breakdown. At a salon or spa, one session will cost between $75 and $200. At a medical office, expect to pay between $100 and $300. Nine treatments and four maintenance visits at the average of $120 per visit will cost you $1,560.

Additionally, there aren’t any manufacturing standards for the microdermabrasion machines. And the FDA warns that these machines can be sold without having demonstrated that they work properly, and that they can be operated in the absence of medical supervision.

The bottom line:

Microdermabrasion is an alternative to BOTOX and plastic surgery. It targets the dead upper layer of skin where most imperfections are. The price can be pretty high, so you may want to consult with friends and multiple doctors before starting treatment.

*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.

What People Are Saying.