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MICRODERMABRASION FOR THE FACE
Microdermabrasion for the face is currently the most popular application of this technology. The skin on your face and neck is more vulnerable to damage and abuse than that on any other part of your body. You can maintain a slim, youthful shape with good muscle tone, yet reveal your age through the lines and wrinkles on your face.
Whether you're suffering from teenage "puppy fat" or "middle age spread", avenues for losing excess weight are far more accessible than trying to reverse damage to your facial
skin. So the promising results of microdermabrasion for the face are giving new hope to women with a number of skin conditions, including the following:
- Lines and Wrinkles
The secret to erasing fine lines and wrinkles is to stimulate collagen
production, which in turn increases the thickness of your skin. Microdermabrasion, along with IPL and antioxidant products, stimulates the production of collagen, so is an ideal treatment for unwanted lines and wrinkles.
- Acne
Microdermabrasion works well with acne over a period of several months. We normally recommend a minimum of 4-6 sessions for acne sufferers, usually 1 to 2 weeks apart. For a closer look at acne, visit our visit the acne and microdermabrasion page.
- Freckles
People with lots of freckles often hate them and can't wait to get rid of them by any means possible. Microdermabrasion is tailor made for this because its main function is to abrade the surface layer of the skin and promote more even pigmentation.
Obviously it works better on younger skin, because there's already a faster cell turnover than with older skin. Microdermabrasion is certainly a much gentler process than IPL (intense pulsed light) and strong chemical peels, both of which can actually destroy pigment permanently. Michael Jackson's face is a case in point. So microdermabrasion is a safe option because minimizes freckles without damaging its pigment.
- Moles
For some women, a facial mole is a unique feature and they wouldn't dream of removing it. A number of actresses and models, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Cindy Crawford, are famous for their prominent moles. Others consider them a flaw and us re always something to take note of because they can sometimes turn cancerous. So if you have moles on your face or body, be aware of any changes in their size or appearance over time. What happens if someone comes to you and they're wanting something removed and you look at it and you would categorize it as a mole? What do you do?
Microdermabrasion is very effective in abrading pre-cancerous spots and moles. And in the rare situation where the moles don't respond to dermabrasion, the client is usually referred to a doctor for further treatment.
- Pigmentation and Discoloration
Pigmentation problems can include brown spots and irregular color across the skin's surface. For a closer look at this problem, visit the skin discoloration page.
- Dark Circles
Dark circles around the eye area are usually caused by blood trapped in the capillaries, which casts a shadow and makes the eye area look dark and
unhealthy. Stimulating the lymph system with microdermabrasion will eventually lessen the darkness around the eye area. There are also products that absorb the excess blood in those capillaries. Eye products containing Vitamin K will help, as well as the hemorrhoid cream that's favored by models and celebrities. It dilutes the blood in the capillary, so it doesn't appear as dark.
- Smoking Lines
Smoking lines, those web-like vertical grooves around the mouth, respond well to microdermabrasion. This is another area where surgery is not an option. Treatments like restylane and collagen injections can be painful procedures, so microdermabrasion is a more attractive choice.
- Pouches or Jowls
Skin often sags around the mouth area, creating pouches in the skin or jowls around the jawline. Because microdermabrasion stimulates collagen production, it will help restore skin tone and lessen the appearance of sagging skin. The level of improvement depends on the individual and they all kind of come under the same umbrella.
- Rosacea
Rosacea is a form of adult acne, without the breakouts. With rosacea the capillaries are dilated, giving the skin an angry pink cast. Microdermabrasion will help to a certain degree, but is more effective when used in conjunction with IPL (or intense pulsed light). IPL helps to strengthen the capillary walls that have been overwhelmed by blood
supply. Once this happens the skin doesn't flush as readily and the sensitivity decreases.
According to our consulting naturopath, rosacea is often a symptom of poor digestion and allergic reactions. Stress can also be a contributing factor.
Many of the medications prescribed for rosacea contain cortisone, and prolonged use has a thinning effect on the skin. So while they do reduce the heat and stinging sensations, the long term effects can be negative.
- Facial Scarring
Scar tissue, whether resulting from acne or other injuries to the face, is a difficult problem to address if the skin is severely damaged. Ideally, the younger the client, the quicker the result. If acne scarring is ignored until people reach their 30s or 40s, it's a lot harder to minimize. In those cases, you need to be prepared for a long haul.
Microdermabrasion is very effective in allowing a therapist to assess how quickly a client is going to respond. The therapist reviews the treatment after 4 to 6 sessions, and if the results are not satisfactory, she may suggest switching to IPL. For many clients, microdermabrasion is the only treatment required, while others need a combination of approaches.
Facial scarring responds faster to treatment than scars on the body because the face has a higher concentration of capillaries.
To learn more about microdermabrasion, visit microdermabrasion articles.
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