Is Microdermabrasion Right For You?
Microdermabrasion is one of the more recent skin-care techniques to
have crossed over from Hollywood to the mainstream. It's often cited
as an effective alternative to costlier and more invasive procedures
like plastic surgery, chemical peels or Botox® injections. Recently,
more and more men are trying it, instead of pursuing cosmetic
surgery.
So what exactly is microdermabrasion, what does it promise and what
effect does it actually have on your face?
 The
Basics
Microdermabrasion is a general term for the non-invasive cosmetic
procedure in which tiny rough grains or crystals are applied to the
stratum corneum (dead outermost surface of the skin) to buff away
the surface layer. Microderm is usually done to the face, chest,
neck, arms or hands.
To understand how microdermabrasion does what it does, let’s first
understand some “skin anatomy”.
Your skin is made up of two main layers, the epidermis and the
dermis. The epidermis is the layer closest to the outside world.
This layer is basically made up of a set of dead skin cells sitting
on top of another skin layer that is in the process of maturing.
The topmost layer of the epidermis is called the stratum corneum.
The stratum corneum mostly acts as a barrier between the outside
world and the lower skin layers. It keeps all but the smallest
molecules from getting through. This layer is home to many minor
skin imperfections like fine wrinkle lines and blemishes.
Professional Microdermabrasion
Your Energia Esthetician will use a specialized tool for the
microdermabrasion procedure. The tool shoots a stream of tiny
crystals onto your skin, breaks up dead skin cells, and then
collects the leftover dead skin cells and used crystals.
 The
vacuum action of the machine has four main functions:
• It pulls and raises a small section of skin to work on.
• It creates mild swelling and brings some of the impurities to the
surface.
• It shoots a stream of crystals across the targeted skin patch.
• It collects the used crystals and dead skin for disposal.
The technician steadily moves the tool over the target area,
applying even and steady pressure to remove the stratum corneum
without affecting the lower skin layers. A standard session usually
consists of one to three passes with the tool. Your esthetician will
then apply moisturizers to re-hydrate the area and assist in
promoting healthier new skin.
Microdermabrasion is available at Energia in a single session, for
$150, or in a series of six session for $750 (Get one FREE!). Member
discounts are available. Several sessions spaced throughout the year
are usually recommended for maximum effectiveness.
Microdermabrasion Effects And Benefits
Microdermabrasion is applied only at the level of the stratum
corneum, the very outer layer of skin. The idea is that if you
remove or break up the stratum corneum, the body interprets that as
a mild injury and rushes to replace the lost skin cells with new and
healthy ones. In the first hour after treatment, this causes mild
edema (swelling) and erythema (redness). Depending on the
individual, these side effects can last anywhere from an hour to two
days.
Microdermabrasion has several beneficial effects, including:
• Improved skin surface that looks and feels smoother
• Reduced visibility of some minor skin imperfections, including sun
damage, blemishes and fine lines
• Increased effectiveness of skin treatments because active
ingredients more easily reach the lower layers of the skin
• Early studies suggest that repeated microdermabrasion treatment at
regular intervals may influence the way the lower layers of skin
grow, as well, removing deeper blemishes over time.
Is Microdermabrasion For Everyone?
While microdermabrasion is a generally safe, non invasive
treatment, it should be performed only by a licensed esthetician or
provider. It is not recommended for those who have the any of the
following conditions:
• Active rosacea
• Fragile capillaries
• Vascular lesions
• Widespread acne
• Herpetic lesions (herpes)
• Warts
• Open sores or skin lesions
• Anyone who takes anti-coagulants
• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Psoriasis
Anyone taking ANY prescription medicines should alert their
esthetician prior to any spa treatment. Several medications,
including Accutane® and Retin-A®, can have serious effects on the
skin’s reaction to treatments like microdermabrasion. Energia does
not perform microdermabrasion treatments on anyone taking these
medications.
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