Can I benefit from Microdermabrasion? Time to look closer.

So you have heard about Microdermabrasion, but what is it? What does it do? And Does it hurt?

Allow me to explain…..

Microdermabrasion or Microderm is a one of the safest, easiest and effective anti-ageing treatments.

Essentially, it is a physical, machine based, exfoliation procedure that removes the superficial layer of skin to a level that can not be achieved by manual exfoliation (facial exfoliation tools and products). It removes dead and dry skin cell and has It has many benefits. It stimulates blood flow, increasing nutrition delivered to skin cells, improving cell production and the skin’s elasticity and texture.

There are two forms of microdermabrasion, the original crystal microderm and the newer diamond tip microderm.

The original microdermabrasion technology (crystal) has been around since the 80’s. It uses a wand to spray the skin with aluminium oxide crystals and a vacuum in the centre of the wand to suck them back up. It can sting a little and leaves a slight crystal residue on the skin.

Then there is the newer diamond tip microdermabrasion, first introduced in 1999, that has grown in popularity as it achieves the same result with much less discomfort and no crystal residue. It is usually more suitable for sensitive skins.

Just recently we have seen the appearance of hydraderm, where a strong jet pushes water out to deeply exfoliate the skin and is then used to infuse a solution into the skin. Although this method is new and there is some hype surrounding it, I do not believe that you see the same results that you get with traditional microderm.

The Benefits

Microderm has many positive benefits used to treat many different skin deficiencies or skin problems. They may include but are not limited to:

• Reducing fine lines and wrinkles

• Aiding in the fading of age spots and other superficial pigmentation

• Decreasing the appearance of shallow scars

• Evening out of skin texture and tone

• Minimising pores

• Diminishing stretch marks

• Treating acne scaring

Microderm also aids in the penetration and absorption of cosmeceutical serums and products deeper into the skin providing an even greater result.

Now I know what your thinking, ‘sounds great, but does it hurt?’

This procedure does not hurt, it may feel a little scratchy, this is the diamond tip doing it's work, you will also feel a slight tugging on the skin from the vacuum however this treatment has no pain involved. When you're finished, your skin may feel a bit sensitive and will look a little pink, which generally fades within a couple of hours. You will notice right away the change in your skin’s texture; your face will feel smother and very soft after just one treatment.

Is microderm effective, or furthermore, is it cost effective?

A quick google search on microderm will give plenty of reviews highlighting the good, the bad and the downright ugly on microderm. When you drill down into why experiences can vary so widely, more often than not, great results come down to 2 factors.

1. The skill of the therapist administrating the treatment and

2. The quality of the microderm machinery used

In nearly all cases the old adage applies ‘you get what you pay for’. Most people have achieved their outstanding results when using a reputable and trained therapist who uses quality machinery. Couple this with good after care advice and I have found great results can be achieved at a reasonable price.

Now lets cover cost and amount of treatments needed,

Even though your skin will feel amazing after just a single treatment, the results of microdermabrasion are cumulative, and you really do need a course of treatments to truly benefit and achieve maximum results.

Generally speaking a series of 6 - 8 treatments scheduled 7 to 10 days apart will provide desired results and a visible transformation of your skin. Many salons will offer a ‘buy 5, get the 6th free’ course. The cost of this treatment varies but usually starts at around $100 per session and can be anywhere up to $200+. Microderm is still one of the most popular non-surgical treatments preformed.

Can anyone have microdermabrasion?

Well, nearly, it is not advised for clients that have had facial filler in the 72 hours prior, clients that lack tactile sensation, have skin inflammation, active acne, sunburn or suffer Rosecea. In saying this I do suggest speaking with your therapist prior, as adaptions to the service can sometimes be made.

Based on my experience and research I have found diamond tip microdermabrasion to be the ‘top performer’. It has given my clients their desired results with visually and textually softer, younger looking skin without experiencing discomfort or dealing with messy residues.

This is why I offer this type of treatment to my clients at Blanco Aesthetics. If you are interested in trying diamond tip microdermabrasion on your skin or would like more advice on microderm treatments in general contact me at Blanco on (03)9817 6797 or through our website.