Let’s face it: we have all woken up one day to start our daily routine, looked in the bathroom mirror, and noticed how the years have taken a bit of a toll on our skin. The excellent news is that here at Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare, we offer a skin treatment called microdermabrasion that will revive the appearance of your skin!
What Is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a noninvasive treatment performed on the surface of the skin in order to combat the effects of aging. This is a very safe treatment that is designed to pinpoint a variety of skin-related conditions and leave you with softer skin that will both look and feel rejuvenated. Our licensed healthcare professionals will have you in and out of your appointment in no time, with almost immediate results!
What Is It Used for?
There are many things that can naturally go wrong with the skin. Whether or not your skin concerns are genetic or the result of exposure to natural processes of life, this treatment will combat almost all types of conditions. Many of these skin concerns include acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, clogged pores, uneven skin tone, and sun damage. Although this treatment is widely accredited for its anti-aging effects, it is a viable treatment for any age where appropriate skin damage exists.
How Does It Work?
One of the reasons that this treatment is so popular and effective is because of the natural ways through which it is performed. Instead of the use of chemicals, specialists at our facility operate by using a small handheld device to exfoliate the skin’s outer layer and get rid of the top layer of dead skin cells. This is a very simple treatment that takes place in our office and requires no anesthesia or numbing agents. Immediately after the exfoliation process, a small vacuum device is used to suction away the remaining dead skin cells.
After the process is complete, your body will think of the treatment as an attack on the skin. The skin cells that were removed from your body were timeworn and no longer full of life. In response to this treatment, the body wants to immediately replace the old skin cells with healthy fresh ones—therefore results are often immediate!
This treatment is very similar to the benefits of regular store-bought exfoliants that scrub away dead skin cells, but it works on a deeper level for better results that will last longer and benefit a wider variety of skin conditions. During the process, the depth of the abrasion can vary depending on the pressure applied by the handheld device and will be controlled depending on the sensitivity of the area of concern.
Types of Treatment
There are two different ways to carry out this treatment. The first way it can be performed is by using a handheld device that employs the use of crystals to exfoliate the skin. The second version uses a diamond-tipped, handheld device. Here at Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare, we use the more modern, crystal-free version of this treatment. The diamond-tipped handheld device makes sure to eliminate any extra particles leftover from treatment, resulting in a cleaner and safer skincare process.
Preparing for Treatment
There really is not much that needs to be done to prepare for your skincare appointment. Since the process is relatively simple, basic preparation steps are all you will need to consider. Before the process, remove any traces of makeup and wash your face with soap and water. Other potential skin irritants, including recent waxing of the area of concern or overexposure of the sun in the days prior to your appointment, should be avoided as well.
What to Expect After Treatment
We often refer to this treatment as the “lunchtime treatment” because of how quickly you can move on with your day after your appointment. This treatment works to improve the skin’s natural production of collagen. As collagen production increases, the general radiance of your skin will improve over time in the days following treatment. After the process is complete, it is possible to have a red appearance in your skin, but this is only temporary. The majority of people see results almost immediately following their appointment!
Why Might It Be Right for You?
There are many reasons why you may seek out some form of skin treatment. Amidst the many other skin treatment options, it is important to understand microdermabrasion in relation to your skin and why this treatment might be right for you.
If you have any of the skin conditions mentioned earlier, then this treatment is definitely something to consider. In addition to improvements in other conditions like uneven skin tone and stretch marks, this treatment is often used to treat a condition called Melasma. Melasma affects the pigmentation of the skin and often appears on the face.
What If It’s Not Right for You?
Knowing when a treatment is right for you is just as important as knowing when it is not. Before you make an appointment, you should also pay attention to any topical ointments and medications that you are currently using as they may interfere with treatment. Indicators that you may not be a suitable candidate for this treatment include:
- Overly sensitive skin or other skin conditions such as rosacea
- Excessive or irritated acne
- Broken skin or rashes
- Frequent use of topical creams and retinoids
- Frequent or habitual use of Accutane
As each skin type varies, so do the treatments. Having any of the above characteristics or use of specified topical creams may not exclude you from microdermabrasion. It is important to make a consultation and talk with us to understand the best results for you! Many customers that are top candidates for this treatment are still interested in understanding the differences between microdermabrasion and other skin treatments. We are not only here to assist you with choosing the right treatment, but we are also happy to explain the differences and similarities between this treatment and many others.
How Is This Different From a Chemical Peel?
The first difference is the use of chemicals. Chemical peels focus on the removal of oils on the surface of the skin. There are a lot of similarities between the two treatments because chemical peels work to remove the external layer of skin and expose the new, fresh skin underneath. There may be some residue left behind on your skin after the treatment, but like most skin treatments, the skin will recover and renew itself in no time!
What About SkinPen Micro-needling?
SkinPen micro-needling is another viable option to combat anti-aging. This treatment is very similar to microdermabrasion in some ways. One of the most important natural processes of our bodies is the production of collagen. Collagen helps with the improvement of more than just our skin, but also our hair and nails.
In a similar way to many other treatments, SkinPen micro-needling treatment also works by tricking the skin into believing that it is injured. We use a tiny SkinPen device to gently pierce the top layer of the skin, causing minor injuries that tell the body to fix these injuries with an increase in the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. These two treatments differ in the ways through which the skin reacts to repair the inflicted injury.
How Frequently Should You Get Treated?
The results of this treatment vary from person to person. Before deciding how often to book appointments, it is important to understand the goals you have for your skin and what you expect your overall results to be. One treatment can have long-lasting effects on the skin because of the increased production in collagen and skin rejuvenation that can also lead to better absorption of moisturizers and topical creams. However, the skin regenerates on its own over time. One treatment may be the perfect result for you, or you may find that you want to book another appointment after skin regeneration.
Significant improvements can be seen after repeated intervals of treatment. Since the process is healthy for your skin, it can be repeated as frequently as once a week or just once every two months. The bottom line is that blood circulation is promoted in conjunction with other self rejuvenating processes after one treatment, so the frequency of treatment is up to you and your skin needs!
History of Microdermabrasion
The world is constantly looking for answers about the proper skincare treatments. People all over the world use exfoliation treatments to target areas of concern that exist on the skin. Microdermabrasion is not a new treatment, but it is certainly a popular one. The concept of facial resurfacing has been practiced all throughout history and across multiple different parts of the world.
This treatment has been circulating throughout the country since the 1990s when it was initially popularized and has since improved consistently over the years to help patients receive some of the best skin care possible.
When it comes to taking those final steps that you need to step out of your comfort zone and understand how you can take care of your skin, Orange Blossom Aesthetic Group is the perfect place to start. We provide timely and personal care to help you feel as comfortable as you can be.
Our specialists are experienced in microdermabrasion treatments and possess an extensive understanding of how to navigate the best way to work through the external layers of your skin that will provide you with the radiance so many people spend an endless amount of time trying to achieve.
If you have spent countless amounts of money on store-bought exfoliators and televised topical ointments to combat skin concerns, but still come up frustrated with a lack of results, then Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare is here to help you. Call Shenandoah Women’s Healthcare today to book your consultation and speak with one of our specialists!