Ever had traditional Microdermabrasion?
Yes? Welcome to the world of sandblasting.
Microdermabrasion has always confused me. What skin is so bad that you have to bombard it with abrasive crystals for it to look good and remain healthy? Supporters of this treatment claim that it is an even exfoliation which can improve the appearance of wrinkles, acne scarring, and pigmentation. Okay, let's look at these claims individually.
Wrinkles
Claim: Microdermabrasion will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
True - Kind of
This is true in the same way that getting punched in the mouth will give you Angelina Jolie lips without the use of collagen. What happens when you get punched, or scrape yourself? You swell. The same thing happens when you over scrub your skin. It gets nice and plump, but as soon as the swelling goes down, you are right back where you started. You wouldn't go around punching yourself in the face if you wanted bigger lips, so why would you blast or rub your skin raw with microdermabrasion?
Acne Scarring
Claim: Microdermabrasion can improve the appearance of acne scarring.
Probably not
Microdermabrasion is just not effective on old acne scars. A scar is a fibrous tissue that does not have the same function as the surrounding skin. Scrubbing it really hard will not change that. It may smooth out the skin slightly, but there will not be a significant improvement.
Hyperpigmentation (Brown Spots, Sun Spots)
Claim: Microdermabrasion will help lighten brown spots.
May have some effect but NOT RECOMMENDED for darker skin types!!!
Microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin. so for superficial pigmentation it can help to lighten those pesky spots, but will have little if any effect on deeper or really dark pigmentation. If fact, microdermabrastion may make you dreaded dark spots worse!!! This is especially a concern for anyone with more pigment in his or her skin. The more color, the more chance that the skin could pigment. Even if you go into the treatment without spots you could come back out with them! The microdermabrasion can cause inflammation which can stimulate melenin production in the skin. Talk about not being worth it!
So what's a girl or guy to do?
Ultrasonic (or wet) Microdermabration
Now even thought this method sounds the same, it is very different.
An ultrasonic microdermabrasion machine is used with a wet medium on the skin so the blade (sounds scarrier than it its) never makes contact with bare skin. The blade vibrates at about 20,000 -28,000 times per second and spins water molecules on the skin, loosening dead skin without trauma or irritation.
These new machines can also kill bacteria on the surface (fantastic for acne!) and also penetrate product deeper into the skin. The result is clearer, smoother skin (even better when you do it in a series)! Who doesn't want that!
I have had an opportunity to see what these Ultrasonic Microdermabrasion machines can do and am thoroughly impressed. So much so, that I decided to purchase one for my skin care studio. It will be here by the end of the week, so if you live near Elmhurst give me a call and set up an appointment.
Essential Skin and Beauty
151 N. York St.
Suite 5N
Elmhurst, IL 60133
630-832-7546
http://www.essentialskinandbeauty.com
The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage.
Author: Tan MH; Spencer JM; Pires LM; Ajmeri J; Skover G
Author affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Publication date & source: 2001.11, Dermatol Surg, 27(11):943-9
