The Fountain Rejuvenation Center
Microdermabrasion
What Is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a mini procedure that involves the skin being "sandblasted" by aluminum oxide crystals, baking soda, salt or corn cob granules to remove the stratum corneum (top) layer of the skin; dead skin cells. We use aluminum oxide crystals.
Microdermabrasion also promotes the production of new cells in the basal (deepest) layer of the dermis. It can clean your pores incredibly and may hinder any acne breaks outs if used on a regular basis. Microdermabrasion also stimulates collagen net working to further even out skin texture and appearance. It may help to reduce or elimate some scarring.
Are You a Candidate For Microdermabrasion?
The best candidates for microdermabrasion are individuals with acne prone and blotchy skin, small scars, rhytides (wrinkles), keratoses, large pores, milia, or sebaceous hyperplasia. If you have sun damage or uneven texture and would like to improve the condition of your skin, you may be a good candidate for Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion is not recommended for those who have active keloids, undiagnosed lesions, recent herpes outbreaks, warts, active, weeping acne (stages 3 to 4), active rosacea, unstable diabetes or auto-immune system disorders.
Does Microdermabrasion Hurt?
Microdermabrasion does not hurt although it may sting a little around the eye area. The patient normally works up to a level as they go to increase the penetration to the skin. Your skin may feel a little hot and appear a little pink for the first day.
You should be perfectly fine that night. Although really intense micro- dermabrasion treatments may leave you pink for several days. The technician can turn down the controls if the suction or level of the blast is too strong for you.
What to Expect During a Treatment?
Patients have attributed the sensation of a microdermabrasion treatment to a slight windburn. Although depending upon the level that you wish to reach the discomfort is usually quite minimal, if at all. The treatments typically last 20 to 30 minutes for the face, if your treatment includes the neck and upper chest area, it may last up to an hour.
A normal course of microdermabrasion treatments varies between 4 to 8 at approximately 2 week intervals. It is recommended that you schedule an additional treatment every 1 to 3 months to maintain your skin in excellent condition. Most patients actually feel and see a difference just after one or two treatments but schedule additional treatments to increase this improvement.
After The Treatment
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A rehydrating toner, moisturizer and sunscreen is applied to your skin prior to leaving the surgeon or dermatologist's office.
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Some redness is expected after a treatment, however this is not likely to persist more than a few hours. The sensation of having a mild windburn or sunburn will also pass after a few hours. Applying a high quality moisturizer to re-hydrate the skin at this point will help.
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Avoid direct sun exposure for 7 days after a treatment. We do stress the importance of using a high quality sun protectant product as well as minimizing sun exposure. Exposure to UV radiation is one of the key factors in speeding the skin aging process.
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Avoid Alpha-Hydroxy Acid, Glycolic Acid products and skin exfoliation scrubs for 72 hours both before and after a treatment.
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Avoid full-face make-up, i.e. liquid foundations or pressed powder foundations for 24 hours after a treatment. Eye make-up, lipstick etc. may be applied immediately after a treatment.
What Results Are Gained From Microdermabrasion?
Your skin will feel vibrant and healthy and you will notice an immediate difference in your softer, smoother skin. There is virtually no recovery time, no discomfort and you can return to work immediately.
A series of microdermabrasion treatments can help reduce the look of fine lines and superficial wrinkles, remove thickened skin areas due to the impact of environmental factors and reduce the appearance of blemishes caused by sun damage. Additionally, microdermabrasion can reduce the appearance of open pores by unclogging sebum (oil) build-up and eliminate white and black heads.
What Can't Microdermabrasion Do?
Please be advised, raised or deeply pitted skin areas (possibly from old severe acne scars) and darker pigmented areas will require multiple treatments. I must advise that while Microdermabrasion is not the cure all for heavily damaged skin, it is a non invasive technique for those of you who do not need a serious laser or chemical peel treatment.
Microdermabrasion also cannot be expected to remove tattoos and deeper lesions.
The Differences In Machines (all prices in US dollars)
There are so many machines out there it is unreal. Something like 80 companies manufacturing 2 to 4 per company. Doctors, aestheticians and spas charge you anywhere from $75 to $200 a session. Their machines, however, cost as much as $30,000.
You may not be able to pick and choose your choice of machines, but you can make sure that whatever machines they do have are sterile. Ask how they crystals are replenished. The best machines have closed systems that the crystal containers are never refilled, only changed out. You see, the better machines offer their crystals or are compatible with companies who sell crystals that are sold in the containers that you see on the side of the machine so that the old, used crystals are thrown away in its own container and a new, empty sterile container replaces the old one for easy clean up and the new filled container replaces the empty, spent one.
How Much Does Microdermabrasion Cost?
A single microdermabrasion treatment costs anywhere from $75 on up to $200. It depends on your area as well as where you receive the treatment. Sometimes a spa or salon machine may be the same make and model your doctor may have. If you are armed with knowledge, your chances of being taken advantage of are lessened.
You are not going to pay less than $75 a treatment and if you do, you're lucky! The national average is $135. The average machine is going to give you the penetration you need for the first few anyway. You normally work up to a higher level of penetration, but beware! Medical grade machines on their high levels can rip right through your skin.
Most doctors and aestheticians recommend a "series". A series consists of, on average, 4-6 treatments at 7- 10 day intervals. Some believe you must wait at least 10 days for your skin to heal properly or you will be doing your skin more harm than good. Still others consider an aggressive course with treatments every 5 days more effective. Some doctors or aestheticians will offer a package of treatments starting at $500 for 4-6 treatments.
The Risks Associated With Microdermabrasion
There are not many risks associated with microdermabrasion if you are a healthy adult, but enough to mention for those of you with skin or medical conditions. If the medical grade machines are used at high power it carries potential risks of hyperpigmentation, perforation, bleeding, and infection. Infection can also be a risk if the machines are not sterile. Many components of these machines are meant to be sterilized, autoclaved or changed out with a new disposable piece. Any and all pieces that come into contact with your skin should be able to be sterilized or changed out. *Also, you should NOT have a microdermabrasion treatment on the affected area if you have the following:
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Undiagnosed lesions
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Recent herpes outbreaks
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Warts
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Active, weeping acne (stages 3-4)
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Active Rosacea
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Unstable diabetes
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Auto-immune system disorders
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Some patients hyperpigment post-treatment. Lower pressures are used on follow-up treatments for these individuals.
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Using Retin A religiously or just had a chemical peel
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Recently had laser surgery
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The Least You Need To Know
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Microdermabrasion is simple and uninvasive and can deliver visible improvement within a few sessions without the downtime of a major peel or resurfacing.
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Microdermabrasion cannot perform miracles.
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Be careful of being overcharged for a cheap machine, or being overcharged, period!
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Check out the technician's session environment for cleanliness.
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If you have undiagnosed lesions, recent herpes outbreaks, warts, active weeping acne, (stages 3-4), active Rosacea, unstable diabetes, or auto-immune system disorders you should steer clear of Microdermabrasion.
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Some patients hyper-pigment post-op. Lower pressures are used on follow-up treatments for these individuals.
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The average prices for microdermabrasion: $75 - $200 per session, 20-30 min. (depending upon area, strength and region)
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