You must have heard about exfoliation, but do know about a cosmetic procedure that can exfoliate and improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation on your skin? Microdermabrasion, a non-invasive cosmetic procedure is used to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin. It involves using a machine to gently remove the outer layer of dead skin cells, which can help improve the appearance and texture of the skin. We spoke to our expert Dr Rashmi Shetty, Cosmetic Dermatologist, Ra Skin and Aesthetics - Mumbai and Hyderabad, who explained microdermabrasion.
How Does Microdermabrasion Work?
Dr Shetty said, “In this procedure, the skin is cleansed thoroughly to remove any makeup, oils, or dirt. Some providers may also use a pre-treatment solution to help prepare the skin.”
She added, “A specialised handheld device that emits a stream of fine, abrasive crystals, or a diamond-tipped wand in some cases, is gently moved across the skin in a controlled manner. The crystals or diamond tip abrade the outer layer of dead skin cells. Simultaneously, a vacuum suction system removes the exfoliated skin cells and crystals from the skin's surface.”
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Benefits of Microdermabrasion
Dr Shetty listed the benefits of microdermabrasion as follows:
- Exfoliation: Microdermabrasion removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells, which can help unclog pores and promote the growth of new, healthy skin cells.
- Improves Skin Texture: By removing dead skin cells and stimulating collagen production, microdermabrasion can help improve the texture of the skin, making it smoother and more even.
- Reduces Acne Scarring: It can help diminish the appearance of mild acne scars by promoting the growth of new, healthy skin cells.
- Unclogs Pores: By exfoliating the skin, microdermabrasion can help remove excess oil and debris from the pores, reducing the likelihood of acne breakouts.
- Enhances Product Absorption: After microdermabrasion, skin care products may be more effectively absorbed, as they can penetrate deeper into the skin.
- Stimulates Collagen Production: The process can stimulate collagen production, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.
The results of the biomechanical investigation as published in StatPearls, indicate that skin thickness, skin compliance, and skin stiffness have all increased with the help of this cosmetic procedure. The most frequently observed histological alterations included reduced melanin content with even melanosome distribution and enhanced collagen density with organised collagen bundle arrangement.
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Side Effects Of Microdermabrasion
Dr Shetty added, “Every coin has two sides and no two sides are the same. For some, microdermabrasion can be quite harsh on the skin. In most clinics today, it is used as a precursor to exfoliate and prep the skin for the treatment that is about to be administered as the deeper layers of the skin are exposed, thus creating room for better absorption.”
She listed some of the side effects of this treatment as follows:
- Increasing the sensitivity of the skin due to its abrasive nature
- Potential barrier damage as it exfoliates the top layers of your skin
- Higher chances of contact irritant dermatitis
- Increased exposure to sun damage
- Risk of pigmentation
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is shared by a registered healthcare professional and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to reach out to your expert if you are planning to opt for this procedure.]