Microdermabrasion Before and After Tips

A relatively new weapon for the ongoing fight against aging is a skin care treatment called microdermabrasion. As the popularity of this effective skin care treatment continues to increase it is extremely important that the user is suitably prepared. It is hoped that the microdermabrasion before and after tips below will help equip you with the knowledge needed to gain the maximum results from your treatments.

Before Microdermabrasion

The best results from any skin care treatment are gained when the skin is most suitably prepared. Before the salon professional proceeds with the main procedure he/she will thoroughly cleanse the skin to remove any dirt or grease. However there are a number of other ways in which to prepare. In our efforts to maintain youthful looking skin many of use have a regular skin care regime, if you don't you should start as soon as you can as it is easier to keep healthy looking skin rather than try to remove wrinkles or fine lines. While microdermabrasion has been proven to improve skin texture, remove fine lines and even reduce the visibility of wrinkles it is still of great importance that you look after your skin before and after the treatment.

It is important that you seriously consider the effectiveness of the treatment and what your expectations are. You can discuss this with your aesthetic technician, cosmetic surgeon or salon professional who will be able to assess your skin type and explain what should be expected after your first visit and also after a series of sessions. The best results from microdermabrasion are gained after a series of about ten regular treatments.

Take a look across the Internet at the many before and after pictures of microdermabrasion and compare the before photographs to your own skin (please be aware that many photos are taken in light which makes the results look best). If you are lucky your salon/clinic should have their own before and after photographs which are, generally, professionally taken to show a true representation of the results to expect.

If you have sensitive skin you should explain this to your physician at your very first visit. Some people with very sensitive skin may not be suitable candidates for this, non-invasive, cosmetic procedure as it involves the removal of the top layers of the skin. If you have skin that is sensitive it is important that you follow these before and after tips to protect your skin.

If you suffer from acne it is important that you have this treatment while the acne is not active. Microdermabrasion is a wonderful treatment for acne but it can not be performed on areas of active acne. It is also very encouraging to note that many people have found this treatment one of the best for the removal of mild acne scars or the reduction of deeper acne scarring. Again, you should seek medical advice about your acne, or any other skin complaint such as eczema, before any change in your skin care regime.

After Microdermabrasion

The period immediately following your very first treatment can be rather uncomfortable for a few people. For the vast majority the procedure is completely painless (can depend on the professional) and the worst effects can be a slight reddish glow to the skin which subsides after only an hour or two. For those who find themselves with skin that is tingling they should monitor the feeling as it usually disappears within a very short time but, in some rare cases, it can last a little longer but by the second day your skin should be virtually back to normal. If you find it is not you should contact your salon for advice.

Happily by the time of your second session of microdermabrasion your skin should be improved to such a degree that the after effects last for a much shorter period and are far less pronounced than your first treatment. Microdermabrasion has gained the nickname of the "lunchtime facial" due to the fact that most treatments last about thirty minutes and there are little or no after effects making it highly suitable for a lunchtime appointment at the salon.

Nearly all skin care professionals will offer a complete service and they will have their own techniques for treatment of the skin before and after microdermabrasion. Many offer a consultation service during which they will discuss what you will need to do prior to and following your sessions. Some will have ointments and creams available for you to use at home or, if not, they can advise you which would be most suitable for your kin type.

One of the most important things to remember is that your skin is best protected from direct sunlight for at least 24 hours after microdermabrasion.

Andrew Kelly has, over the last 10 years, been working with a number of very well known U.K. skin care companies, beauty salons and skin care web sites in the promotion of microdermabrasion and microdermabrasion products.