Microdermabrasion continues to be a popular facial treatment for those who want to reduce the signs of aging, get rid of acne scars or simply give the complexion a boost. Microdermabrasion treatments help to remove the top layer of skin to create an even appearance, and a series of treatments can also help stimulate collagen production – the cells needed to build damaged skin and keep it looking soft and supple.   

If you’ve been considering microdermabrasion treatments as part of your skin management regiment, consider these benefits and drawbacks as you review your options:  

Key Benefits of Microdermabrasion  

Microdermabrasion offers several benefits for damaged or aging skin:  

Quick and simple - Microdermabrasion is often called the ‘lunchtime peel’ because it can be completed in under an hour and does not require any downtime.  The treatment does not involve any lasers or incisions of any kind, and will only leave the skin slightly pink immediately afterwards.  

Affordable – many medspas, day spas and laser cosmetic centers offer microdermabrasion treatments at a price of $150 - $300.  This is considerably lower than other facial rejuvenation treatments such as Thermage, photofacials and even dermabrasion.  

Immediate results – you’ll notice smoother, more supple and cleaner-looking skin immediately after the treatment is over, and the skin will take on a fresh new glow as soon as the morning after your treatment.  Microdermabrasion can help ‘wake up’ dead skin cells to create a rejuvenated appearance.  

Helps skin heal – if you have sun damaged skin or superficial scars, microdermabrasion can help buff away the skin’s layers so that the scars appear less noticeable.  The treatment can also help underlying skin repair itself and heal; when collagen is stimulated deep within the skin’s surface, a fresh layer of skin cells can help restore and heal damaged skin tissue.  

Drawbacks of Microdermabrasion  

While there are many benefits of microdermabrasion for facial rejuvenation, the procedure does have some drawbacks:  

Swelling and redness – people with sensitive skin are more likely to experience swelling and redness immediately after the treatment, but this typically subsides after a couple of hours.  However, the skin specialist must use extra care when applying pressure to sensitive skin to avoid discoloration or skin damage (Source: Plasticsurgeon411.com).  

Does not tighten loose skin – microdermabrasion treatments can help to remove dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production, but the treatment does not affect loose or sagging skin.  Loose skin may not respond well to microdermabrasion at all, and this is where Thermage and other skin tightening treatments may prove to be more worthwhile.  

Irritated skin immediately afterward – while you can return to normal activities after a microdermabrasion treatment, it’s a good idea to forego makeup and even some moisturizers to prevent further irritation. The skin is especially sensitive for up to 48 hours after a treatment, so you’ll need to wear sunscreen and moisturize with a light, sensitive-skin formula to promote healing.  

Requires touch-up treatments – a series of treatments is the best way to achieve dramatic results, but the process will require touch-up treatments in order to maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin.  Maintaining a healthy skin regiment between treatments can also prevent skin flare-ups.  

This video explains how a basic microdermabrasion treatment works:      

Microdemabrasion continues to be a leading skin resurfacing treatment and is suitable for almost any skin type.  It provides deep exfoliation and can leave the skin looking more youthful, buffed and smooth. Consulting with a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist about the procedure can help you learn more about microdermabrasion and choose a set of treatments that work best for you.