Microdermabrasion is a superficial exfoliating procedure that can make real improvements in the way your skin looks. Dermatologists use microdermabrasion for treating certain types of acne, enlarged pores, acne scars, facial pigmentation and even skin wrinkling. It can also be used to increase the penetration of topical medications and enhance the benefits of chemical peels. Recent scientific studies have shown that microdermabrasion turns on the wound healing response causing new collagen to be formed in the skin. This explains why patients who have repeated microdermabrasion treatments see improvement in fine lines and wrinkles and certain types of acne scars.
Microdermabrasion exfoliates the surface of the skin and smoothes the texture. It decreases the appearance of fine lines slightly since it lifts off dead skin, which lends a crumpled appearance to the surface layer. It's also an effective way to treat milia because it exfoliates all those tiny rough cysts. Microdermabrasion is also a terrific way to augment a peel, by exfoliating the peeling dead skin one week afterward.
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Let's examine exactly what microdermabrasion is and what it can do. Back in the 1960s, the loofah pad (the dried, fibrous part of a loofah fruit) became popular to exfoliate the skin. The human upper epidermis, the stratum corneum, is composed of dead skin that keeps out water and germs. The loofah pad strips off this layer, making the skin look better.
Microdermabrasion is really just an expensive loofah pad. It is called "micro" because traditional "dermabrasion" removes not only the dead skin, but also varying layers of the epidermis (upper layer) and even the dermis (lower layer).
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Microdermabrasion takes about 30 minutes and requires no anesthesia. For best results, many people start with a microdermabrasion treatment every two weeks and then move to one per month as maintenance. Each session costs about $154. Microdermabrasion may be performed by aestheticians, licensed cosmetologists, plastic surgeons or dermatologists. Complications are rare.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.