If you want a smooth, even-toned complexion, then you will likely require a combination of high-quality skincare products and exfoliating treatments to refine the appearance of your skin. While a dermatologist can help you select skin care products to improve the health of your skin, you may want to turn to aesthetic dermatology for an exfoliating treatment to improve skin texture and tone. At Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA, we know that microdermabrasion is a good match for many people.
How Long Will Microdermabrasion Last?
The results of microdermabrasion will typically last for four to six weeks, depending on your natural rate of cellular turnover, your age, and your skin type. This exfoliating treatment removes the upper layers of dead skin cells from the skin surface to reveal fresh, glowing skin underneath. For people who are addressing pigmentation concerns, the results of this treatment can be especially long-lasting.
What Is the Best Treatment Frequency?
For this treatment, the ideal treatment frequency is every four to eight weeks. Your age and skin type will be the biggest determining factors of the best treatment frequency for you.
For example, mature people have a slower rate of cellular turnover, so it may be best to have this treatment every eight weeks. People who have sensitive skin also require additional healing time for the best results, so a treatment frequency of every six weeks is ideal.
Can You See Results After One Treatment?
One of the great things about this exfoliation treatment is that you can see great results after just one treatment. After your short recovery period, the results will generally include brighter, smoother skin. Hyperpigmentation, dry skin, enlarged pores, and some blemishes can all improve drastically after one treatment. Some people may also notice smoother and tighter-looking skin after a single appointment as well.
What Is the Ideal Number of Treatments?
The ideal number of treatments required for your optimal aesthetic will depend on your goals, your skin type, and other treatments you are using to improve your skin appearance. While some people benefit from an initial round of three consecutive treatments, others may incorporate microdermabrasion sporadically into other aesthetic dermatology treatments.
For example, some people alternate between chemical peels and this exfoliation technique to strike the right balance for their skin health. The products you use at home may also influence the number of results you will need to resurface and restore your skin.
Can This Treatment Produce Permanent Results?
For certain concerns, such as mild pigmentation or moderate sun damage, the results of this treatment can be permanent. This is because pigmentation concerns generally affect the upper layer of skin cells, so they can gradually improve and fade over time with enough exfoliation treatments. The results will be permanent for as long as you can prevent new pigmentation concerns from developing.
To produce permanent results, it’s best to use sunscreen every day to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. Using adequate sun care can protect against sun damage and can reduce the effects of aging, such as the development of melasma, wrinkles, and skin laxity.
What Can You Expect From This Treatment?
In general, it usually takes about 30 minutes to complete this exfoliation facial. If you are also treating the neck, another 20 minutes may be required to complete your treatment. During this treatment, a handheld wand will be used to blast fine crystals across the surface of your skin, which will gently slough away dead skin cells.
This treatment does not involve the use of any topical chemicals or invasive techniques, so you will not need to use a topical numbing cream to prepare your skin before your treatment. After the exfoliation portion is complete, a hydrating serum or moisturizer will be applied to your skin, along with sunscreen.
What Should You Do Before and After Treatment?
Before your treatment, you should stop the use of certain skin care products, including prescription retinoids, Differin, and acne-fighting products that contain glycolic acid or salicylic acid. It’s also a good idea to stop using aspirin, anti-inflammatories, and tobacco products. Discontinuing the use of these products will prevent excessive dryness and sensitivity.
After your treatment, it’s best if you can keep your skin calm and cool, which is why you will want to use a gentle gel or moisturizer to soothe your skin for at least the first 24 hours. It’s also a good idea to avoid strenuous exercise and excessive sweating, along with direct sun exposure. Drinking plenty of water can also help your skin bounce back.
What Can This Treatment Address?
Like many other exfoliation treatments, microdermabrasion is an all-in-one treatment that can address a variety of pigmentation and textural concerns. Because this treatment can be customized to provide the precise level of exfoliation required to meet your aesthetic goals, most people will be able to improve one or more aspects of their skin concerns with this treatment.
Skin Laxity and Wrinkles
During the exfoliation process, a moderate amount of collagen will be produced in the skin to accelerate cellular turnover and heal the surface of the skin. For this reason, this treatment is known to improve skin laxity and fine lines or wrinkles. However, this is not an anti-aging treatment precisely, so the textural effects of the treatment will be temporary.
Rough and Dead Skin Cells
This treatment can improve the texture of rough and dry skin, along with dull skin, textural irregularities, and uneven skin tone. Getting rid of rough and dead skin cells on the surface of your skin is important so your skin care products can work as intended. Rough or dry skin can also make your skin appear dull and tired, which can prematurely age you.
Improve Acne and Acne Scarring
Some people may be able to use this exfoliation technique to improve acne and reduce acne scarring. Exfoliation is important for acne-prone skin since this skin type is more likely to have an irregular cellular turnover that will lead to clogged pores and acne. By regularly exfoliating, dirt and oil cannot accumulate in the pores and acne-fighting skin care products can work more effectively.
As for acne scarring, shallow scarring and pigmented scarring can both improve with this exfoliation treatment. In particular, post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can both drastically improve after just one treatment.
Sun Damage and Hyperpigmentation
Finally, this treatment is exceptional for reducing the appearance of sun damage and other types of hyperpigmentation. Sun damage can accumulate on the skin after years of poor sun protection, which can lead to melasma, blemishes, age spots, and freckles. Exfoliating the skin regularly can gradually improve the appearance of deep sun damage. Hyperpigmentation also improves because of renewed cellular turnover that will even out the complexion of the skin.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
Most people are good candidates for this treatment, including women and men of all ages. The treatment can also be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women since it does not involve the use of any invasive techniques or chemicals that can affect a fetus or infant. Good candidates include those who do not have a history of scarring and those who have not used a prescription such as Accutane in the last six months.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate?
Although there are many good candidates for this treatment, there are also many people who are not ideal for a deep exfoliating treatment such as this. For example, if you have a history of forming scars easily on the skin or you have chronic skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis, this treatment may not be a good match for you.
Additionally, candidates for this treatment will need to first attend a skin check if there are any suspicious moles or lesions from sun damage on the face or neck. You cannot use this treatment if you are undergoing treatment for skin cancer, so your skin must be relatively healthy to qualify for this treatment.
Restore Your Complexion With Microdermabrasion
An even, glowing complexion is a hallmark of youthful beauty. However, dead skin cells and sun damage can compromise the even tone of your complexion. An exfoliating treatment such as microdermabrasion is ideal for people who want to improve the tone and texture of their skin, particularly for problems such as enlarged pores, acne, sun damage, and mild skin laxity. Contact Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare in Harrisonburg, VA to schedule your first appointment today.