Overview | Types and Procedure | Post Treatment Care | Skin Conditions | Questions for Your Doctor | Side-effects | Expected Results | Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is an extremely popular choice of treatment among our patients at The Bombay Skin Clinic. This skin treatment is non-invasive. It uses a special applicator tool to gently exfoliate the skin and rejuvenate it. At The Bombay Skin Clinic, we use the latest in microdermabrasion technology to treat a wide range of skin problems with effective results that truly show. And, our patients are simply delighted with the results. 

Let’s take a walk through what you need to know about microdermabrasion treatment. 

Treatment types

At The Bombay Skin Clinic, we always conduct an initial evaluation to determine if the treatment is suited to your skin care problems or not. 

Microdermabrasion treatment is a quick procedure that usually gets done within an hour. The patient is made to sit comfortably in a reclining chair. There is no need for anesthesia. 

  1. Crystal-free – This type of microdermabrasion is commonly done as diamond microdermabrasion. Instead of the crystal tip, this treatment uses a diamond tip, hence the name. Over time, diamond microdermabrasion has become more popular than its crystal version as it is less irritating to the skin with maximum efficacy in treatment. A newer technique is hydradermabrasion. It focuses on increasing hydration while exfoliating the skin. A nourishing serum is pumped into the skin while impurities are sucked out leaving a healthy glow. Another option for crystal-free treatment is through the sapphire-tip head. Real sapphire granules are used to treat skin problems by reaching deep into your skin dermis to exfoliate for the ultimate results in smooth skin.
    Looking at the procedure, in this microdermabrasion treatment, a handheld applicator with a diamond tip is used to exfoliate the skin that needs treatment. Dead skin cells are sucked away by the applicator. The depth of the application is determined by the pressure exerted by the skin care specialist when performing the procedure. Crystal-free microdermabrasion can be used anywhere but is especially useful on sensitive patches of the skin like the area around the eyes. Hydradermabrasion is one of the latest technologies. We, at the Bombay Skin Clinic, highly recommend this, as it has truly benefitted our patients. Hydradermabrasion exfoliates the skin while hydrating it with special products through an application tool. The products that are applied contain antioxidants, collagen, and proteins to rejuvenate the skin for holistic healing. At The Bombay Skin Clinic, hydradermabrasion is an important part of many professional facials including The Bombay Hollywood Laser Peel and The Bombay Infusion Facial.
  2. Crystal – Crystal microdermabrasion can leave behind stray bits of crystal on the treated surface which may get into the eyes. This is why we, at The Bombay Skin Clinic always recommend getting this treatment done only by a skilled skin specialist. Crystal grains are sprayed on the skin and then sucked away along with exfoliated waste from the skin. In this microdermabrasion treatment, a handheld applicator sprays crystal grains onto the surface of the skin to exfoliate it. The skin cells that come off are immediately vacuumed away. Sodium bicarbonate and aluminum oxide crystals are commonly used.

Post-treatment care

It is important to carefully follow your dermatologist’s instructions on skin care after the microdermabrasion treatment. You may be required to keep your skin hydrated and completely avoid topical acne medicines. In addition, you must remember to use sunscreen. 

Remember that treatment results vary between patients. At The Bombay Skin Clinic, we will thoroughly advise you on what results you can expect to see from your skin treatment. 

Microdermabrasion will require you to come in for a couple of sessions depending on the skin condition. The number of sessions and the gap between each will be determined by the dermatologist. Generally, there are around five to ten treatment sessions. 

Skin conditions

Microdermabrasion is suited to treating a wide range of skin conditions including dark circles, acne, acne scars, large pores, uneven skin tone, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and stretch marks. It can also treat signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that microdermabrasion can also be used to treat melasma. Do note that melasma would need accompanying skin treatments for the best results. 

Microdermabrasion can be done almost anywhere on the body including the face, abdomen, hips, buttocks, and upper thighs. A full body treatment can also be done, which skips the sensitive skin areas such as the hands and feet. 

At The Bombay Skin Clinic we have our signature treatment known as The Bombay Bright Eye Treatment to handle dark circles under the eyes. A special tip is used to exfoliate the skin below the eyes in order to allow better action of the skin peels applied for treatment. The overall effect is supple and healthy skin that appears tighter and is free from pigments. 

Questions to ask your doctor

Before undergoing the treatment, you must have proper knowledge about the same. Moreover, you must also be particular when it comes to the post-treatment skin care regime. Here are some important questions that we recommend you always ask your dermatologist:

  • Can microdermabrasion fix my age spots?
  • Is it safe to do microdermabrasion after a chemical peel?
  • Is there any age criterion for microdermabrasion?
  • Can microdermabrasion be done on a tattoo?
  • How do I prepare for my session?
  • Are there any side-effects?

Our skin care specialists take great care to inform our patients at the clinic all that they need to know about their individual microdermabrasion treatments for the best results.

Potential side effects

Microdermabrasion has few side effects. Under the treatment of a skilled practitioner, there should be no issues at all. Nonetheless, generally observed side-effects include slight tenderness and swelling that usually subsides in a few hours.

The National Health Service UK cautions patients with sensitive skin that they may experience slight flaking and bruising on the skin surface for a day or two after treatment. 

Results to expect

Microdermabrasion can vastly improve the texture and brightness of the treated skin. Patients are known to see results almost immediately. There is also a significant reduction of fine lines and pigmentation caused due to sun damage. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons in particular notes the role of microdermabrasion in reducing hyperpigmentation.  

It is important to note that the longer you protect your skin from the sun, the better your results will be. They will also last longer. Yet, our skin keeps growing and changing so follow-up visits are required to maintain results. 

Microdermabrasion vs. dermabrasion

A microdermabrasion treatment is a relatively minor procedure as compared to dermabrasion, which is far more invasive. In dermabrasion, the patient would be given an anesthetic to numb the area that would be treated. Dermabrasion is usually done for deeper skin problems such as deep scars and wrinkles. It is carried out with a rotating brush that moves over the skin at a high speed. 

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, dermabrasion can cause slight complications such as fever blisters. To treat this, the patient will be given antiviral medicines. 

Conditions that microdermabrasion will not help

Microdermabrasion treatment is not suitable for severe acne scars. Similarly, it cannot be used on skin that has severe active acne including cystic acne. As for signs of aging, microdermabrasion cannot work on deep wrinkles or sagging skin. Your dermatologist might recommend other treatments for these. 

Closing paragraph

Looking at the cost of a microdermabrasion treatment, it varies between patients as it depends on the area of the body to be treated and the total number of sessions. That being said, the average cost per session is around INR 2,000 to INR 4,000. Your dermatologist will determine how many sessions you need. Most of our patients see fabulous results in barely one or two sessions.  

In a world where grooming forms an important aspect of our confidence, skin problems can truly let us down. The good news is that we, at The Bombay Skin Clinic, are here to help. With world-class treatment facilities and the guidance of our medical director Dr Batul Patel, you can be assured of looking forward to healthy, happy skin days. 

References

  1. National Health Service UK: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/microdermabrasion/
  2. American Academy of Dermatology: https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/age-spots-marks/microdermabrasion-overview
  3. Johns Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/dermabrasion-and-dermaplaning
  4. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/microdermabrasion