Understanding Microdermabrasion

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 1, 2020)

Microdermabrasion—sounds scary, doesn't it? Cutting to the chase, microdermabrasion is exactly what it suggests: the removing of part of your skin (derm) by tiny (micro) abrasive items (abrasion). It is tantamount to using very, very fine sandpaper to finish wood and give it a smooth surface.

That may sound like a strange comparison, but it is very appropriate. Microdermabrasion done professionally uses very small crystals of abrasives such as aluminum oxide, sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate to break up the topmost layer of your skin.

Your skin is made up of two general layers: the dermis and the epidermis. The epidermis is closer to the outside world (it is the part you feel when you touch your skin), and it protects the lower dermis. The top layer of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, consists of dead cells that act as a shield and barrier to the lower layers of skin. Skin cells are always progressing from the dermis to the epidermis as they age, and they finally slough off your skin naturally.

In a microdermabrasion process, an abrasive compound is placed on your skin and then, with the aid of some sort of mechanical device (in the case of professional treatments), used to grind off the cells of the stratum corneum. This grinding may be done for practical reasons, such as removing built-up skin cells in a callous that are not sloughing off naturally. It may also be done for cosmetic reasons, in an effort to rejuvenate skin and make it appear younger.

It is this latter instance in which many beauty seekers are interested. Microdermabrasion is used to remove the stratum corneum because that is the layer of skin where minor skin imperfections occur, such as fine wrinkle lines, sun damage, and blemishes. If the layer is removed, then the imperfections are removed, as well.

Besides removing small imperfections, many people feel that microdermabrasion makes their skin have a younger, youthful "glow." This is because if you remove the stratum corneum, your body sees that as a mild injury and attempts to replace the lost skin cells with newer, healthier ones. The newer, fresher skin cells give a different look than the older, dryer (and deader) cells that were removed.

Although there are home kits you can use, it is usually best to get microdermabrasion treatments in a professional spa or dermatologist's office. Treatments generally run about $100 to $200, and you will need two or three treatments per year. The home kits are about half the price of the professional treatments, and they may not give as good of results as you would like.

Some people have had some side effects from microdermabrasion. It is not unusual for there to be redness and mild swelling that can last from a few hours to a few days. In addition, because of the abrasive nature of microdermabrasion, the skin will be dryer than before. For this reason, treatments should always be followed with the application of some sort of moisturizer.

Not everyone is a good candidate for microdermabrasion. In general, you should be in good health and free of certain types of skin diseases. For example, people with warts, skin lesions, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, serious acne, herpes, lupus, or active rosacea should not receive microdermabrasion treatments.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Turning Off Comment Color when Printing

Comments that you add to your document are most often displayed in a bright color so they aren't easily missed. If you ...

Discover More

Understanding the Notification Area

The Notification Area is located at the right side of the taskbar. It represents an active area of information for ...

Discover More

Finding Odd Values Greater Than 50

If you have a special need to find cell values that meet two different criteria, where to start can be daunting. This tip ...

Discover More
More Beauty Tips

What To Do About Dry Skin

At one time or another everyone has been affected by dry and itchy skin. For some people, the condition is temporary, but ...

Discover More

Getting Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads and skin blemishes are unsightly and frustrating. You can get rid of them if you understand what causes them ...

Discover More

Differences between Chemical Peels and Acid Peels

There are two basic types of chemical peels—light and deep. A light chemical peel can be done over a lunch hour; a ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 5?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)