The best candidates for microdermabrasion are individuals with acne prone and blotchy skin, small scars, rhytides, keratoses, large pores, milia, or sebaceous hyperplasia.  If you have sun damage or uneven texture and would like to improve the condition of your skin, you may be a good candidate for Microdermabrasion.  Microdermabrasion is not recommended for those who have active keloids, undiagnosed lesions, recent herpes outbreaks, warts, active, weeping acne (stages 3 to 4), active rosacea, unstable diabetes or auto-immune system disorders.

Patients have attributed the sensation of a microdermabrasion treatment to a slight windburn. Although depending upon the level that you wish to reach the discomfort is usually quite minimal, if at all.  The treatments typically last 20 to 30 minutes for the face, if your treatment includes the neck and upper chest area, it may last up to an hour. A normal course of microdermabrasion treatments varies between 4 to 8.  It is recommended that you schedule an additional treatment every 1 to 3 months to maintain your skin in excellent condition.

We recommend that you get a rehydrating toner, moisturizer and or sunscreen and apply to your  your skin immediately after getting your microdermabrasion treatment.

• Some redness is expected after a treatment, however this is not likely to persist more than a few hours.  The sensation of having a mild windburn or sunburn will also pass after a few hours.  Applying a high quality moisturizer to re-hydrate the skin at this point will help.
• Avoid direct sun exposure for 7 days after a treatment. We do stress the importance of using a high quality sun protectant product as well as minimizing sun exposure.  Exposure to UV radiation is one of the key factors in speeding the skin aging process.
• Avoid Alpha-Hydroxy Acid, Glycolic Acid products and skin exfoliation scrubs for 72 hours both before and after a treatment.
• Avoid full face make-up, i.e. liquid foundations or pressed powder foundations for 24 hours after a treatment.  Eye make-up, lipstick etc. may be applied immediately after a treatment.

Your skin will feel vibrant and healthy and you will notice an immediate difference in your softer, smoother skin.  There is virtually no recovery time, no discomfort and you can return to work immediately.  A series of microdermabrasion treatments can help reduce the look of fine lines and superficial wrinkles, remove thickened skin areas due to the impact of environmental factors and reduce the appearance of blemishes caused by sun damage.  Additionally, microdermabrasion can reduce the appearance of open pores by unclogging sebum (oil) build-up and eliminate white and black heads.

 A closed vacuum system delivers aluminum oxide crystals through a tube and handpiece creating a vacuum when the microdermabrator handpiece is against the skin.  The particle flow begins when the handpiece is sealed against the skin; particles flow out of the accelerator impacting the skin and, combined with skin debris, are suctioned back through the handpiece and tubing into the waste canister. The particle flow and suctioning stops once the seal is broken.

It is up to each skincare specialist to determine what he or she considers to be a contraindication for microdermabrasion. However, the following situations are reported in the medical literature:

• Patients are asked to cease use of certain topical agents such as glycolic acids, alpha-hydroxy acids and Retin-A for a few days before microdermabrasion treatment.    
• Patients who present with certain facial skin disorders may be advised not to pursue treatment, e.g. acne rosacea or even facial telangiectasia.
• If a patient experiences red streaking from the treatment because of over intense strokes or very sensitive skin, the patient should cease further treatments until the erythema has fully subsided.