Cosmetic ‘sand blasting’ for a smoother skin

Procedure Summary

Microdermabrasion was developed in Italy in 1987. It is a refinement of the cosmetic ‘skin scraping’ procedure, dermabrasion. Dermabrasion has been performed since the late 1950s and involved the use of a small, sterilised, electric sander until recent laser technology allowed the technique to be applied with much greater precision. In microdermabrasion, a blend of sodium crystals are discharged at the skin and then removed by a vacuum process (similar to sand blasting brickwork). The treatment gradually achieves its results after a number of sessions. Sometimes the effect of microdermabrasion is further enhanced by combining the treatment with collagen stimulating products.

Is microdermabrasion right for you?

The skin is often the first place to show the signs of too much sun, a demanding lifestyle and the unavoidable march of time. Microdermabrasion removes microscopic debris from the skin’s surface and stimulates collagen growth which ‘plumps up’ the skin, filling out wrinkles and improving its vitality.

It should be noted that, although microdermabrasion can improve the texture of the skin, it will not improve loose, baggy or deeply wrinkled skin. This would require something more invasive, such as face lift cosmetic surgery. So, if you suffer from acne, blotchy skin, small scars, fine lines, keratoses, large pores, white spots or sun damage, microdermabrasion could make a dramatic improvement to your skin. Your suitability for the treatment can be discussed during your initial consultation with the practitioner.

As one patient remarked, “I have microdermabrasion simply to freshen my face up. It gets rid of that worn-out appearance by improving the texture of my skin and reducing the fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, it makes such a difference that I recently had it performed on my stretch marks – and there was a definite improvement.”

Undergoing microdermabrasion

Before receiving microdermabrasion, you may be asked to stop using aspirin and similar products, such as Nurofen or Voltarol, in order to improve the circulation of blood to the skin and minimise bruising and bleeding. If you are prone to suffering from cold sores, the treatment may activate the virus and you may, therefore, require the use of an anti-viral cream.

Before the treatment commences, the skin will be cleansed and protective goggles will be put in place to protect your eyes. Using a handheld device not much larger than a pen the practitioner will spray a stream of fine particles at the skin and then suck them back up into the machine along with the dislodged skin. The practitioner can ensure the desired results are obtained by controlling the pressure and the time spent on each specific area of skin.

The procedure generally lasts no longer than 30 minutes and requires no anaesthesia as the only sensation will be a mild tingling feeling. In fact, most people find that they can return to work immediately after treatment. Microdermabrasion is normally performed a number of times, typically between 4 and 8, for maximum effect, with a fortnight or so between treatments.

“I had 8 treatments in total,” said one man in his 20s. “I had been left with some unsightly acne scars and microdermabrasion was the perfect way to get rid of them. By removing the damaged skin, the healthy, unblemished skin could emerge.”

There are no known risks associated with microdermabrasion, though if you have exceptionally sensitive skin you may experience some irritation. This is something that your practitioner will be able to advise you on prior to treatment.

Who should carry out microdermabrasion?

There are a variety of microdermabrasion machines currently in use. The very mild ones can be found in beauty salons and are operated by trained beauticians. On the other hand, more powerful machines that have a deeper effect on the skin should only be operated by an experienced doctor or nurse.

The cost of microdermabrasion is around £65 per treatment, or £325 for a course of 6 sessions. If microdermabrasion is something that you are considering, you can discuss all of the issues mentioned here in greater depth during a consultation with an experienced practitioner.

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