Your face is the most exposed part of the skin, and it’s usually where the first signs of aging start to appear. Fine lines and wrinkles are an unavoidable part of getting older, but there are ways you can keep your skin looking younger for longer. 

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic treatment that makes your skin look more even-toned, firmer, and youthful. The procedure encourages your cells to regenerate and only takes between 30 minutes and an hour; it doesn’t require anesthesia and has minimal downtime. 

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about microdermabrasion. 

What Is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive cosmetic procedure that you can liken to the sanding of your skin. Your dermatologist uses a wand device to gently apply tiny crystals onto your skin (the sandblasting effect!).

The crystals exfoliate your skin, removing surface layers and creating lots of minor abrasions. The treatment tricks the skin into attack mode, and it quickly works to replace the lost skin cells over the next few days. This firms up the skin, boosts collagen production, and reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes.

Microdermabrasion is clinically proven to improve a range of skin concerns, including melasma, acne scars, and photoaging (sun damage).

Where Can It Be Used?

Most men have microdermabrasion to rejuvenate their face, jawline, cheekbones, forehead, and neck, but specialists can treat areas of their skin like the back, upper thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen. Delicate areas such as ears, hands, and feet are generally avoided.

Regular microdermabrasion treatments enhance the smoothness of your skin, brighten your complexion, evens out skin tone, combats age spots, and deeply cleanses clogged pores.

What Happens During the Treatment?

First, your dermatologist will clean your skin in preparation for the microdermabrasion treatment. 

Your dermatologist will then gently move the wand across your skin in vertical and horizontal movements to spray fine micro crystals over your skin. The rubbing motion removes the outer layer, or epidermis, of your skin, exfoliating away the dead skin cells. 

Finally, the crystals and sloughed skin are removed with a vacuum wand, and your skin is cleansed. A rejuvenating mask or serum is usually applied straight after treatment. 

Does It Hurt?

It’s a relatively simple procedure and shouldn’t hurt in any way. The procedure, however, will make your newly exposed skin more sensitive to sunlight, so you’ll need to ensure you use sunblock for a few days afterward to prevent any damage. 

While the treatment is relatively straightforward and little post-treatment care is required, you will need to ensure that you apply a high-quality moisturizer to nourish your skin to help the healing process and keep your pores clear. 

Are There Any Side Effects?

The best thing about microdermabrasion is that there are very few side effects. You might experience slight redness that feels like you’ve been out in the sun or for a walk on a cold, windy day, but the feeling should only last an hour or so. If your dermatologist goes a little deeper, you might also feel a tingling or stinging sensation or a little bruising, but this is only temporary. 

Is Microdermabrasion Suitable for My Skin Type?

Any skin type can benefit from a course of microdermabrasion treatments. If your skin is prone to acne, microdermabrasion can be used in combination with peels and medical extractions. 

Once the acne has been treated, you can use topical retinoids, which are chemical compounds of vitamin A to help regulate epithelial cell growth and unclog pores, allowing other medicated creams and gels to work more effectively. Microdermabrasion on your back and shoulders can help eliminate backne, and regular treatments will help reduce the size of your pores.

Microdermabrasion also stimulates blood flow to the skin, which aids in producing new skin cells and dramatically enhances the nutrition that the skin cells receive.

If you are unsure about the treatment, your dermatologist should offer a complimentary consultation before you commit to a course of microdermabrasion treatments. They will examine your skin and reassure you of the expected results according to your skin type, the number of treatments you will need, the risks and side effect factors, and the cost of your course. 

It is very important to have a consultation if you have a condition such as rosacea, eczema, herpes, lupus, or widespread acne, as microdermabrasion can irritate the condition further.

Can You Do Microdermabrasion at Home?

While microdermabrasion kits are available for home use and can be purchased online or in stores, these products are not as powerful or intensive as the treatments you’d find in a clinic. Microdermabrasion is best booked as a course of in-clinic treatments to achieve the most effective results.