| The Basics |
Microdermabrasion is a general term for a skin treatment method that uses tiny grains to buff away the outer surface layer of your skin. Creams and scrubs that claim to have the effects of Microdermabrasion are now commonplace in department stores and salons. However, there is a dramatic difference between store-bought products and our approach. Store-bought products are simply crystals mixed into a cream.
Our approach uses crystals and vacuuming at the same time therefore it has a more stimulating and noticeable effect. Another major difference is that for the best results the treatment should be individualized according to skin condition and needs. We provide such treatment by a licensed and experienced professional aesthetician in a medical facility. |
| What it is |
| The process of Microdermabrasion involves a small wand that gently sand blasts the outer layer of the skin with tiny crystals while a vacuum removes the crystals and the sloughed dead cells at the same time. There is no recovery or down time which is why this treatment is called the "LunchTime Peel" only taking between 15 and 30 minutes to perform. |
| What it does |
| The result is an improvement in fine lines and wrinkles, improvement in the superficial brown spots and an immediate softer, smoother feel to the skin. Your skin will have a rosier, healthier color and your complexion will appear more even. |
| Where you do it |
Microdermabrasion is usually done to the face, chest, neck, arms or hands to improve the look, feel and function of your skin.
Because of the nature of your skin, Microdermabrasion works best with repeated treatments. |
| How do you know you need it |
| If you have mild aging changes to your skin that include fine wrinkling or brown spots, or if your skin appears or feels rough, with a dull lifeless look, you are in need of a Microdermabrasion treatment. |
| It is affordable |
| The word Microdermabrasion may make this procedure sound expensive. You will be pleasantly surprised to know that a treatment is no more than you might pay for a facial. The cost of one treatment is $125.00; however, we make it more affordable by offering a series of six sessions for $625.00. |
| It really works |
| Microdermabrasion has been shown to be highly effective in changing the texture of the skin. Patients note a smoother, rosier and more even complexion as a result of removing dead, damaged cells and increasing circulation to the skin. In addition to lightening superficial brown spots and improving fine wrinkles, removing the dry damaged skin cell barrier helps skin care products penetrate the skin more effectively. Microdermabrasion's effects are then enhanced by the use of good skin care products that stimulate the growth of new cells and slow the process of aging by sun damage. (retinoids and anti-oxidants). |
| Understanding how it works. ( for those who want to know more) |
In order to understand why Microdermabrasion works, it helps to learn some anatomy of the skin and how it functions.
We know if you understand some basic principles about your skin, you will know how to make better choices for how to care for it.
Your skin is made up of two main layers, the epidermis, the thinner, outer most layer and the dermis, the thicker, deeper layer
It is the layer of skin called 'the epidermis" that is affected by Microdermabrasion.
Categorized into five horizontal layers, the epidermis actually consists of anywhere between 50 cell layers (in thin areas) to 100 cell layers (in thick areas). The average epidermal thickness of the face is 0.1- 0.3 millimeters, which is about the thickness of one to three sheets of paper. The epidermis acts as a protective shield for the body and totally renews itself approximately every 28 days in young healthy skin, or 30-45 days in older, sun damaged skin. |
| New skin cells starts here |
The first layer of the epidermis is the stratum basale. This is the deepest layer of the epidermis and sits directly on top of the dermis. It is in this layer that all new epidermal cells are made.
The new cells, called keratinocytes, look like a bunch of cube-shaped cells sitting on top of one another like columns. In this layer the cells divide and push already formed cells up into the higher layers. Changing form (the cells become flattened) and function (they die as they move up) the purpose of this cycle is to replace those older damaged cells that are continuously shedding from the upper layers of the epidermis.
This regenerative process is called skin cell renewal. The process of aging slows down the rate of skin cell renewal or cellular turnover. |
| All epidermal cells end up here |
After moving up from the Basal layer of the epidermis the epidermal cells ( keratinocytes) final destination is the top most layer called the Stratum Corneum. When the cells finally reach the Stratum Corneum, they are call corneocytes. These are dead flat dry cells that sit on the surface of our skin like shingles on a roof. They are damaged easily and meant to be replaced or shed.
This shedding signals to the lower basal layer that cells are being lost and stimulates the growth of new cells to be pushed to the top. As we age, cell turnover slows down making our skin look sallow and feel rough. The faster we can encourage cell turnover, the healthier and better the skin will look.
Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive epidermal treatment that removes the dead and damaged surface layers of the Stratum Corneum to reveal healthier new cells underneath. It works to slough or exfoliate( the process of removing top dead skin cell layers) specifically on this layer to improve the look and function of the skin. |
| How often you need it |
The frequency at which Microdermabrasion needs to be performed depends on the degree of damage of the outer most layers of the skin. Because our skin is always in some stage of shedding and renewing, the best benefits from Microdermabrasion are seen with frequent treatments spaced one to two weeks apart initially and then every 3-6 weeks for maintenance following our natural skin cycle.
Sometimes the result of Microdermabrasion can be enhanced in certain individuals by the addition of a mild chemical peel after the Microdermabrasion is performed.
The most important difference when having skin care treatments at our center is that we offer you a treatment plan that is individualized to your specific skin care needs. We feel this is best addressed when in a physicians office, by trained experts in skin care, evaluating your skin care needs from a scientific, medical perspective. |
