Microdermabrasion: Is it for you?

I was talking to a customer of mine the other day about our special this month which is a FREE Microdermabrasion Creme with any 4-step skin care system (aka "Build Your Own" system). It is a great deal since you are already saving up to $22 on the skin care system but then you get a $28 product for FREE as well. Wow!

Anyway, my customer was leery of trying the Microdermabrasion Creme because she has super sensitive skin and has had bad reactions to other chemical treatments. I let her know that there is no chemical stripping of the skin and that it is a super micro-fine scrub that is extra gentle on your skin. It's like no other scrub she has probably ever tried. So, a few days later I brought in my jar and had her try a small amount on her hand. She was impressed!

This also got me thinking that people probably don't know what this spa treatment is and how it is a very different treatment than a chemical peel. So, here I am searching online for some information and thought I would share it with you:

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Sensaria in Sequim writes this on her Facebook Fan Page:

"When you use the microdermabrasion creme, it lifts all the dead skin off, plus old makeup, sebum, oil, sweat & environmental polution, it allows other products you are using like the toner, repair products and serums & moisturizers to be better absorbed by your skin. You've essentially removed the barriers so your skin can drink up what it needs.

Here's how it minimizes fine lines & wrinkles: Think of a facial line or wrinkle that's filled with some dead skin, etc...it looks deep. When you remove the dead skin, etc. you are freeing it allowing it to plump up naturally.

The microdermabrasion creme stimulates new cell growth underneath and that's how it can reduce sun damage (freckles), age spots, pregnancy spots and generally uneven skin tones." Read More >>>

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Skin Care Resource Guide has this to say about the differences between microdermabrasion and chemical peels:

"Both chemical peel treatments and microdermabrasion treatments are used to resurface and exfoliate the skin. The treatments work in different ways to achieve similar results.

Microdermabrasion is recommended to improve superficial skin imperfections. This includes mild acne scars, age spots or sun spots, enlarged or visible pores, and fine lines. A chemical peel, whether it is lactic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or other variation, is recommended for more serious skin conditions such as deep or severe acne scarring and moderate wrinkles or extensive sun damage. This means that the recovery time from a chemical peel may be longer as well." Read More >>>

Skin Care Resource Guide also wrote this article about home and professional treatments:

"Professional microdermabrasion treatments administered by a dermatologist or esthetician uses a special machine which sprays aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin. Only licensed professionals are allowed to use microdermabrasion machines. Professional microdermabrasion treatments are somewhat costly and usually at least ten treatments are recommended for dramatic improvement." Read More >>>

Of course, this site is promoting their own skin care line and products but I still found their articles interesting and informative.

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The Ultimate Microdermabrasion Guide has this to say about it too:

"In a nutshell, microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing treatment that uses tools or products designed for home use, in order to rejuvenate and restore natural glow to the skin. The micro dermabrasion procedure is simple and painless AND (this is the best part) is equally effective to surgical procedures (laser skin resurfacing, dermal abrasion) and chemical peels (for superficial skin imperfections only). Read More >>>

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Smart Skin Care points out the difference between Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion:

"Dermabrasion is a much more invasive procedure performed using special sanding devices. Dermabrasion causes as much or more damage to the skin as laser resurfacing or deep chemical peels. The skin recovery after dermabrasion takes several weeks or more. [...]

Microdermabrasion, on the other hand, is only a mildly invasive procedure. It causes virtually no downtime and the patients can usually return to their regular activities the same day. In fact, some call microdermabrasion a lunchtime peel. Convenience and minimal recovery period account for much of the popularity of microdermabrasion." Read More >>>

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Finally, Wikipedia has this to say about microdermabrasion:

"Microdermabrasion (often referred to as Microderm) is a family of cosmetic procedures popular in day spas, doctors' practices, and medical spas in which the stratum corneum (dead outermost surface of the skin) is partially or completely removed by light abrasion, to remove sun-damaged skin and to remove or lessen scars and dark spots on the skin." Read More >>>