What is Microdermabrasion?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure done for improving the overall skin tone and texture. Microdermabrasion can help improve the appearance of sun damage, fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, acne scarring, and skin-related disorders. Microdermabrasion involves the removal of the top layer of the skin with a small hand-held device.
In this article, we will be discussing microdermabrasion in detail –
- What is the purpose of Microdermabrasion?
- What is the diagnostic procedure before Microdermabrasion?
- How to prepare for Microdermabrasion?
- What is the procedure for Microdermabrasion?
- How to care after Microdermabrasion?
- What are the risks of Microdermabrasion?
- What is the cost of Microdermabrasion treatment in India?
What is the purpose of Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is done in the following cases:
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Age spots
- Brown spots (formed after acne clears up)
- Hyperpigmentation (a condition in which the skin appears darker)
- Blackheads
- Enlarged pores
- Acne and scarring due to acne
- Stretch marks
- Uneven skin texture and skin tone
- Sun damage
- Dull-looking complexion of the skin
- Melasma (formation of dark, discolored patches on the skin)
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What is the diagnostic procedure before Microdermabrasion?
- Physical examination: The doctor will physically examine your symptoms. Your skin will be inspected by the doctor to determine the changes that can be made on your skin, and how the tone and thickness of the skin may affect your results.
- Medical history: The doctor may ask you about your medical history and family history, as well as any cosmetic procedures that you may have recently undergone.
- Blood tests: The doctor may recommend routine blood tests to check for the presence of any underlying medical conditions.
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How to prepare for Microdermabrasion?
- Discuss your expectations with the doctor along with the potential results, and risks involved.
- The doctor may take photographs of your face before and after the treatment to evaluate the improvement.
- The doctor may recommend stopping taking any blood-thinning medications like aspirin and warfarin a few days before the procedure.
- Quit smoking at least two weeks before the procedure.
- In case of acne, the doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic before and after the treatment to prevent a bacterial infection.
- Avoid excessive exposure to the sun, tanning beds, waxing, collagen injections, or chemical peels for at least two weeks before the procedure.
- Stop using products containing salicylic acid, like facial cleansers at least one week before the procedure.
- Stop using exfoliating creams and masks at least three days before the treatment.
- Stop using retinol preparations that are used for the treatment of acne, one week before the treatment.
- Remove any makeup and clean your face before the procedure is started.
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What is the procedure for Microdermabrasion?
- Microdermabrasion is usually done on an outpatient basis, that is, the patient is allowed to go home on the same day of treatment. It may also be done in specialized salons.
- The procedure usually does not require any numbing agent or anesthesia.
- A cleanser is first applied to make the skin clean and dry.
- Your eyes will be covered for protection from crystals.
- The motorized device is then passed over the skin. It is normal to feel a slight vibrating or itching sensation during this process, as it involves the removal of the superficial skin.
- The above procedure can be done in different ways, depending on the specific device used. The different types of devices used include:
Diamond-tip handpiece:
- It is designed for exfoliating the dead cells in the skin gently.
- At the same time, this device will suction these dead cells off immediately.
- The pressure applied on the handpiece and how long the suction is allowed to stay on the skin will decide the depth of abrasion (surface layer of the skin that is scraped off).
- This device is usually used in sensitive areas of the face, like near the eyes.
Crystal microdermabrasion:
- A crystal-emitting handpiece is used to gently spray on the fine crystals for rubbing away the outer layers of the skin.
- The dead skin cells are also suctioned off immediately.
- The different kinds of crystals that could be used include sodium bicarbonate and aluminum oxide.
Hydradermabrasion:
- It is a new method that involves combining crystal-free exfoliation and infusing products into the skin simultaneously.
- This stimulates the production of collagen (a protein that plays a vital role in protecting the body) and maximizes the blood flow to the skin.
- A skin moisturizer is applied to replenish the moisture of the skin and to prevent the skin from drying and peeling off, after any one of the above procedures.
- Sunscreen is also applied to protect the skin.
- The treatment session usually lasts for about an hour.
- The treatment may include multiple sessions. The frequency of these sessions will depend on the skin condition. It may include sessions on a weekly basis at first, and may later be followed by maintenance sessions once every two or three months.
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How to care after Microdermabrasion?
- Recovery after microdermabrasion is almost immediate and requires little or no waiting period.
- The daily activities can be resumed immediately.
- Keep the skin hydrated after the procedure.
- Only those skincare products should be used which are gentle to the skin.
- Avoid the use of topical acne medicines for at least 24 hours after the treatment.
- Use sunscreen to protect the skin, which may be more sensitive to the sun in the first few weeks after the procedure.
- The effects of microdermabrasion treatment are seen almost immediately after treatment.
- The number of microdermabrasion sessions required depends on the severity of the skin condition, and the individual’s expectations from the procedure.
- The doctor will make a treatment plan for the initial number of sessions required, and the periodic maintenance treatment sessions that may be required.
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What are the risks of Microdermabrasion?
The risks associated with microdermabrasion are:
- Redness of skin, which usually fades in a day
- Swelling of skin
- Tenderness
- Flaky, dry skin which can be prevented by using a moisturizer
- Bruising of skin that may be caused due to suction
- Tiny white bumps, which usually disappear on their own
- Increase of skin sensitivity to sunlight
- Infection of the skin
- Changes in the color of the skin that may result in dark or light patches, which are usually temporary
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What is the cost of Microdermabrasion treatment in India?
The total cost of microdermabrasion treatment in India can range from around INR 2000 to INR 5000 per session, depending on the severity of the condition, the underlying cause, and the number of sessions that would be required. However, the cost of the procedure may vary across different hospitals. There are many big hospitals and specialized doctors in India for microdermabrasion treatment. The cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the expenses of a microdermabrasion treatment, there will be a cost of staying in a hotel, cost of living, and cost of local travel. So, the total cost of microdermabrasion treatment in India will be around INR 2600 to INR 6500 per session.
We hope that we were able to answer all your questions regarding microdermabrasion through this article.
If you want more information and treatment for microdermabrasion, you can contact a Dermatologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article and do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
