microdermabrasion facialA microdermabrasion facial – aka a diamond peel – is a treatment that deep cleans the skin by removing dead skin cells and debris from the pores.  Because it uses an exfoliation technique that gently buffs away dead skin, it’s considered non-invasive and usually very good for most skin types; it is a great alternative to chemicals peels to safely provide a deep resurfacing treatment that will leave your skin incredibly smooth. In the pursuit of baby-soft glowing skin, this is a high tech treatment that promises to deliver just that. If you are wondering if a microdermabrasion facial is right for your skin, you will find everything you need to know in this post including: how it works, what to expect, as well as FAQs.

How a microdermabrasion facial works

Microdermabrasion is an incredibly popular treatment for smoothing skin texture, and minimizing the appearance of pores, fine lines, and brown spots. If you’re looking for a lit-from-within glow, this treatment delivers. The wet/dry microdermabrasion device we work with provides professional-grade exfoliation through vacuum suction and diamond-tips with varying grades of courseness. The diamond tip abrades the skin surface while the suction lifts away dulling debris and dead skin cells.

What to expect

The treatment begins with a pre cleanse and skin analysis which allows your skin therapist to tailor the treatment to your needs. A second cleanser is then applied and the microdermabrasion hand piece is glided over the skin with the prescribed diamond tip and suction level.

NOTE: This type of wet/dry microdermabrasion technology is very comfortable. Having product on the skin surface prevents any uncomfortable pulling or abrasion sensations that can arise with traditional diamond-tip microdermabrasion machines.

After performing a unidirectional pass over the face and neck, and removing any cleanser that is left on the surface,  your skin therapist may perform manual extractions or continue with a second unidirectional pass. At this stage, they will choose a different grade of diamond tip, and either apply a chemical exfoliant to level-up the resurfacing or apply a professional serum and toner.

The versatility that the wet/dry microdermabrasion device provides—ie: choice of diamond tips, suction levels, and personalized cleanser, exfoliant and serum—allows your skin therapist to perform a highly customized treatment.

After two to three passes of wet/dry microdermabrasion hand piece, a face massage is performed. This is followed by neck and shoulder massage while a treatment masque soaks into the skin. A deeply relaxing hot towel is used to remove any residual masque and massage oil, and your treatment is completed with a mist of hydrating toner, and then eye cream, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen are applied.

Benefits of a microdermabrasion facial

The beauty of this treatment is the balance it strikes with safety and efficacy. It is generally suitable for all skin types and expecting or breastfeeding mothers. The main skin benefits include:

  • smooth skin
  • minimized pores
  • reduced congestion (presents as bumps and texture)
  • reduced appearance of fine lines
  • improved skin tone
  • enhanced skin glow

Potential side effects of a microdermabrasion facial

There is little to no risk associated with a microdermabrasion treatment; however, skin redness can occur if the treatment is done too aggressively. This will generally subside within a few hours of treatment. In the case of acute acne conditions, microdermabrasion is not advised as it can aggravate lesions and spread acne bacteria.

Preparation and aftercare for a microdermabrasion facial

  • You will want to avoid using prescription retinol a minimum of 72 hours before and after your service.
  • If taking an oral acne medication such as isotretinoin, you will need to have stopped taking it for a minimum of 6 months before undergoing a microdermabrasion treatment.
  • Avoid high intensity exercise, saunas or hot tubs for at least 8 hours after your treatment.
  • Do not expose unprotected skin to direct sunlight or tanning beds after your treatment (or at any time for that matter).

When to opt for a microdermabrasion facial over other exfoliation techniques

In addition to the aforementioned benefits of this treatment method, when deciding between microdermabrasion and other professional exfoliation treatments the following two key points will help you make your decision:

1. If texture is one of your biggest concerns, this is one of THE best treatments to address it. Because microdermabrasion is physically sweeping away surface dead skin cells and debris, it noticeably improves the textural quality of the skin, even more so than chemical exfoliating agents in our experience.

2. If you have any concerns with an impaired barrier or sensitivity to chemical exfoliants/peeling agents, microdermabrasion is a great option as it doesn’t pose the risk of irritation that acids/peels do, and the depth and intensity of exfoliation can be more precisely controlled to avoid disrupting barrier function.

All in all, microdermabrasion is a fantastic treatment that poses little risk, with no downtime, and big rewards for the quality of almost everyone’s complexion. If this article hasn’t quite answered your questions about this treatment, we are happy to help—just leave us a comment. And for those of you who are ready to give this tried and tested treatment a go, feel free to book in with us here. Glowy skin awaits!