Does Microdermabrasion Hurt?

Does Microdermabrasion hurt? I have many clients who were reluctant to try microdermabrasion because they thought that microdermabrasion hurts, is painful, or they may experience adverse side effects.

The short answer is "no," if you use a microdermabrasion home system. A home microdermabrasion system differs from a professional treatment of microdermabrasion in that at home, you control the amount and the pressure applied when using the scrubbing crystals (usually made of aluminum oxide).

A professional treatment is obviously done by someone else using a specialized tool that essentially sucks up a portion of your skin, shoots the scrubbing crystals at it, and then suctions off the very topmost layer of your skin. Consequently, there is a higher probability that damage to the skin can be inflicted if the procedure is done improperly or carelessly.

Here are some tips when using a home microdermabrasion system:

1) First, cleanse your face with a damp washcloth and a cleanser that is the same product line as your home microdermabrasion system. Using a cleanser will make the microdermabrasion more effective.

2) Use lots of water when rubbing in the scrubbing crystals. I personally like using this in the shower, where the shower's mist keeps my face nice and moist, and the shower makes it easy to rinse the scrubbing crystals off my face - be sure to avoid the eye area or you will feel like someone threw a handful of sand in your eyes!

3) Don't ever use a washcloth to remove the scrubbing crystals. You cannot tell how much pressure you are applying to your face and could cause irritation.

4) Remember, when rubbing in the oxide crystals, which removes that top layer of dead skin, you can adjust the amount of pressure with your fingertips. If rubbing seems uncomfortable, use less pressure, more water, or both!

5) Be sure to follow-up with the replenishing serum. Most home microdermabrasion kits come with two products: the scrubbing crystals that take off the dead skin, and the replenishing serum that adds nutrients back to your skin.

6) Apply moisturizer that contains a sunscreen. After using Microdermabrasion, your skin is more susceptible to sun-damage so be sure to protect it.


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Remember, take care of your skin because your face is the first thing people see!