Dermabrasion & MicrodermabrasionAlthough professional methods are generally the most effective, microdermabrasion is one of the few non-surgical skin treatments that can be readily and successfully performed at home. Hence, microdermabrasion procedures can be performed without the help of a medical professional. The ease in performing a dermabrasion or microdermabrasion skin treatment procedure has caused it to become very popular in spas and salons. In addition, there are several dermabrasion and microdermabrasion products available on the market today that perform admirably when compared to the other types of skin care treatments that are saturating the market. Recent evidence has shown that microdermabrasion may be helpful to the skin by stimulating collagen production but these test yielded at best, miniscule stimulation and at worst, no effect whatsoever. Still microdermabrasion has been shown to be very successful in the reduction or removal of scars and stretch marks that occur on the entire body. The Different Types of Microdermabrasion
How do Microdermabrasion Work?Your skin is constantly shedding dead cells to make room for growth and to clear toxins. However, some cells stay on the surface of the skin and can cause a dull or rough appearance. Microdermabrasion works by scraping or blasting these cells away to clean and rejuvenate your skin. There is actually a fourth, false layer of skin that you have. This layer (referred to as the stratum corneum) is where small wrinkle and lines begin to form before they dig deeper into the layers of your skin. The false layer of skin should be removed as it can prevent the skin from breathing properly and reduce the effectiveness of other methods of skin treatment. Microdermabrasion's sole purpose is to remove this layer of skin while leaving the lower layers unaffecting. Of course, in professional settings, microdermabrasion can go even deeper to remove scar tissue and stretch marks. The vacuum used during microdermabrasion is employed for several reasons:
Advantages of Microdermabrasion
Disadvantages of Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion CreamsAs opposed to collagen creams, microdermabrasion creams have been shown to be somewhat effective in the removal of dead skin cells and the unclogging of pores. The creams work in the same way as the machines by using crystals to scrape away loose material. They typically cost anywhere from $50-$80 per jar and must be used over a long period of time to achieve noticeable results. For the best "at home" results, consider using a cheap machine in combination with microdermabrasion creams. This combination of techniques has been shown to rapidly increase the effectiveness of home skin treatment sessions. Some creams have other ingredients to serve as a hydration, rejuvenation and cleaning agent as part of your daily skin care routine. Is Microdermabrasion Right for You?The low cost and safe nature of microdermabrasion makes it a very viable method of skin treatment. Scars and stretch marks can also be readily removed in a medical setting. However, the applications of microdermabrasion are generally in the upkeep and prevention category rather than the actual treatment of skin conditions. You do not need to see a doctor before beginning a microdermabrasion program but a professional may be required for more intense sessions. Consider whether the value of prevention techniques outweighs the cost of later skin treatment methods when deciding whether or not you would like to invest in a microdermabrasion treatment. With home methods available at lower prices than many other treatments, you can try several products or types of microdermabrasion before investing in more expensive medical treatments. While you may not see immediate results, avoiding a chemical peel at a later point may make microdermabrasion a logical skin treatment method. Coupled with the low cost, if you are looking to perform a skin treatment procedure that will provide reasonable results and can be performed fairly quickly, microdermabrasion may be right for you. |