What’s your main skin concern? Whether it’s fine lines, dry skin, or clogged pores, everyone is dealing with something. One of the best and simplest ways to start correcting your skin concerns is by exfoliating – but manual exfoliation at home often can’t get the job done. At Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA, we believe that dermatology-backed microdermabrasion treatment is a good treatment option for most people, including you.
How Long Do Results From Microdermabrasion Treatment Last?
The results from this exfoliating treatment can last for about one month at a time, or sometimes longer if your skin condition is good. The results of this treatment depend on your natural skin cell turnover cycle, so it’s possible that if you are younger or your skin more rapidly regenerates, the results of this treatment might not last a full month. Ultimately, your results will last for however long your skin lets them.
How Frequently Should You Have This Treatment?
The frequency of your treatment depends entirely on how long your treatment results last, but most people repeat this treatment every four weeks. Some patients may benefit from treatments every two to three weeks, as well as patients that may benefit from the treatment every six to eight weeks. Again, the condition of your skin and your skin concerns will determine the best frequency for your treatment.
How Does This Treatment Work?
This treatment uses a unique handheld device that directs a fine spray of micro-sized crystals to the surface of your skin. The friction caused by the air and crystals will agitate the skin surface and slough off dead skin cells, as well as prompt the next layer underneath to begin shedding. As an exfoliation treatment, microdermabrasion treatment is more gentle on the skin than many at-home treatments, including sugar scrubs, that may rip the skin surface and may not remove all dead skin cells.
Before your treatment begins, your skin will be cleansed to remove all dirt, oil, or make-up. Then the treatment device will be used, which will take about 20 to 30 minutes. This treatment will not hurt and does not require the application of topical numbing cream.
What Should You Do Before Your Appointment?
To prepare for your treatment, you should do your best to avoid direct sunlight and sunburns for at least three to five days. If you wax or tweeze, you should do so about one week before your treatment.
You may also need to temporarily stop using active skincare products, such as Retinol, for at least three days before your appointment. Please arrive at your appointment without anything on your skin, including lotion, make-up, sunscreen, serums, powders, and other products.
What Should You Do After Your Appointment?
Your skin will be sensitive after your appointment, so you must avoid any exfoliating products, including at-home scrubs, shaving, and skin acids like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and Retinol. You should cleanse your skin with gentle soaps and use non-irritating moisturizers for the first three to five days after your appointment.
Many people notice skin shedding about three to five days after treatment, which is the normal result of the treatment as your skin continues to shed dead skin cells. During this time, you should use light moisturizers to keep your skin hydrated. Some people like to use aloe vera or moisturizers rich in ceramides to keep the skin moist. Please wear sunscreen during this time, as well.
What Does Microdermabrasion Treatment?
This exfoliating treatment can be used to address a variety of superficial skin concerns. Like normal exfoliating, removing dead skin cells can brighten a dull complexion and smooth a rough or dry skin texture. Other issues that can be addressed with this treatment include:
- Uneven skin pigment
- Dark spots
- Fine lines
- Clogged pores
- Acne
- Shallow scarring
- Rosacea
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Where Can You Use This Treatment?
While this treatment is primarily used on the face and the neck, a skilled aesthetician can use this treatment on other areas of the body where there are skin concerns, for example, on the back or on patches of skin that can benefit from deep exfoliation, particularly areas where dark spots and scars are easily visible. This treatment can also be used on the chest and hands.
Why Is Exfoliation Important?
Exfoliation is a key tenet of any decent skincare routine for a simple reason: it refreshes the skin. Usually, exfoliation at home is recommended up to three times a week to manage any shedding dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, which can benefit the overall appearance of the skin. At-home exfoliation can be done with manual scrubs or even with certain acids. Usually, exfoliation is placed after cleansing and before moisturizing in a skincare routine so that the moisturizer can replenish skin more easily.
At the core of your dermatology treatment, however, exfoliating treatments such as microdermabrasion Atlanta are even more important. Some of the biggest benefits for exfoliating the skin with this treatment include:
Minimize Signs of Aging
Some signs of aging, such as fine lines, appear much more visible when dead skin cells clutter the surface of the skin. When you exfoliate dead skin cells, the appearance of fine lines will be reduced; sometimes, this is also because exfoliating treatments like this one stimulate the flow of blood to the skin surface, which may also encourage minor collagen stimulation.
Other signs of aging this exfoliating treatment can help with include dark spots, thinning and dry skin, and dull-looking skin. These are superficial skin concerns that are caused by pigmentation due to sun exposure or exposure to the elements. By eliminating these superficial skin concerns, you can refine the appearance and texture of your skin to appear younger, with a brighter and more radiant complexion.
Reduce Appearance of Scars
Some scars, including shallow scarring caused by acne, can also improve when the surface layer of skin cells are removed. Shallow scars tend to be more visible since dead skin cells can darken the skin tone; by removing dead skin cells, you can also reduce the appearance of shallow scarring.
This treatment is particularly helpful with non-atrophic acne scarring, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This type of pigmentation scar leaves behind a visible patch of pink, red, or brown skin caused by previous skin inflammation that can take several weeks, and sometimes several months, to fade. This exfoliation treatment instantly corrects the pigment of these scars to minimize their appearance.
Manage Acne Breakouts
Much of the time, acne is caused by dead skin cells that trap dirt, oil, and acne-causing bacteria against the skin surface. You can more easily manage any acne breakouts when you exfoliate the skin regularly since you will be lifting the barrier that keeps bacteria on your skin. This exfoliation treatment frees up pores so that you can better control the natural flow of oil on your face. Additionally, many topical acne medications work best after exfoliation.
Better Product Absorption
Acne medications aren’t the only products that benefit from better absorption after exfoliation. All of the skincare products you use, from serums for anti-aging to your basic moisturizer can all function more effectively when you exfoliate regularly. If you want your products to work at their full potential, then using this exfoliation treatment will ensure that all of your skin-active products will sink into deeper layers of skin to produce better results.
Apply Cosmetics Smoother
Finally, you will be able to apply cosmetics much better when you exfoliate your skin. Without exfoliating, make-up products like foundations and powders sit on the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, which can make your make-up appear messy, cakey, or uneven. After an exfoliating treatment like this one, make-up will go on smoother – and you may even find that you require less make-up in the long run.
Other FAQs
1. What Is the Skin Cell Turnover Cycle and Why Is It Important?
The skin cell turnover cycle is the natural cycle of shedding dead skin cells. This cycle generally takes between 28 and 40 days, with those who have mature skin requiring longer cycles. This natural cycle is important because it helps maintain the integrity of your skin cells, which may be damaged by free radicals from UV rays, and also helps maintain the moisture barrier of your skin.
That said, not everyone has a regular skin cell turnover cycle. Factors such as your hormones, your stress levels, and your genetics may mean your natural skin cell turnover is slower or irregular, which is generally what causes issues related to dead skin cells, such as acne.
2. Is This Treatment Safe for Everyone?
Yes. This exfoliating treatment is non-invasive and non-surgical, and because it doesn’t involve any energy-based systems, it’s also compatible with all skin tones and types. This treatment is an ideal option for most patients who have moderate to mild concerns. And while this treatment is used cosmetically, it can also be recommended for medical use depending on the skin concerns you have, such as acne or rosacea.
3. Can You Combine This Treatment?
Yes, you can combine this treatment with other aesthetic options. For example, some patients may benefit from alternating this treatment with chemical peels to manage acne and other moderate superficial skin concerns.
However, most often, this treatment is successfully combined with active skincare products that are designed to address your skin concerns. Using the right combination of cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and medications will help drastically improve the tone and quality of your skin. If you aren’t sure which skincare products you should be using, we can make recommendations based on your skin analysis.
4. How Do You Know if This Treatment Is Effective?
Judging whether or not this treatment is effective for your needs will depend on more than just how smooth your skin is after your treatment. You should also pay attention to the visible signs of aging, the rate of your acne breakouts, and how much redness is on your skin after your treatment. An effective treatment makes it easier to manage your current skin concerns and improves the quality of your skin.
5. Who Are Good Candidates?
Good candidates include women and men who want to improve the health, tone, and quality of their skin. This exfoliating treatment is usually a good match for people of every age and skin tone and can be very helpful for correcting the visible signs of aging, sun damage, and acne scarring.
Smooth and Perfect Your Appearance With Microdermabrasion Treatment
Regardless of what your main skin concern is, microdermabrasion treatment is likely a good exfoliating option for you. If you think the key to smoothing and perfecting your skin is with this treatment, please contact Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA to schedule your first appointment today.
