Microdermabrasion Questions and Answers
Most questions about microdermabrasion are practical ones. The answers below are short, and each names its source.
Each section takes one question and gives you the directive that follows from it. Use them to prepare for a consultation, not to replace one.
What happens during a treatment?
Expect a handheld device and a short appointment. The American Academy of Dermatology says the dermatologist uses a handheld device that gently removes the top layer of skin. You may feel a sanding sensation, but the same source says this is not painful.
The same page gives the time involved. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to treat the entire face and about 20 minutes to treat the neck, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. When the treatment ends, a moisturizer is applied.
For a general description of the procedure, read the overview of microdermabrasion before you book. Then write down what you want from the visit.
What will my skin look like afterward?
Plan for no time off. The American Academy of Dermatology says you will not have downtime or a recovery period. Some patients' skin turns pink or red and the skin can swell a bit. The side effects are similar to having a sunburn or windburn for a day or two, per the same source.
More detail follows from the same organization. After microdermabrasion, the American Academy of Dermatology says, treated skin may be pink or red and slightly swollen, and this tends to disappear within a day. In some cases, the skin can bruise, burn, sting, or become extremely sensitive to sunlight, and the same source says these go away without treatment.
Read both passages together. The common result is mild and short. The less common results exist, so ask your provider what to do if you notice one.
How many treatments will I need, and how long do results last?
Do not expect one visit to settle it. The American Academy of Dermatology says most patients need a series of treatments to see results. To treat signs of aging, a dermatologist may treat a patient weekly, every two weeks, or monthly. Most patients receive between 5 and 16 treatments.
Spacing is another question to ask. The American Academy of Dermatology says microdermabrasion treats only the top layer of the skin, so the skin recovers quickly, and most people can safely have another treatment a week later. Some patients, however, need several weeks to recover. Your own schedule should come from your provider, not from an average.
Results do not last forever. The American Academy of Dermatology says the results tend to be temporary, and that patients who protect their skin from the sun and follow the recommended skin-care plan will maintain their results for a longer time. Ask for that plan in writing. The plastic surgeons' page on microdermabrasion is another reference to compare with what your provider tells you.
Who should have the skin checked first?
Some people should see a dermatologist before any microdermabrasion. The American Academy of Dermatology says that although microdermabrasion is a gentle, non-invasive treatment, you should see a dermatologist before getting it at a spa or using an at-home kit if you have a mole or other spot on your skin that is growing, bleeding, or changing in any way. That spot could be a skin cancer.
The directive is simple. If a spot is changing, do not treat the area. Have it examined first.
The consultation also tests the plan itself. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, your dermatologist will examine your skin during the consultation. This helps to determine whether microdermabrasion can diminish the signs of aging that concern you. You may learn that another cosmetic treatment is more appropriate. Go in ready to hear that answer.
Does it matter who performs it?
It does, and the source says why. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, microdermabrasion performed by a dermatologist has an excellent safety record. It is also performed in salons and non-medical spas, and the same source says you can reduce your risk for side effects by having it performed by a dermatologist.
Use that as a screening question. Before you book anywhere, ask who will perform the treatment and what their training is. Ask the same of a salon or spa. Write down the answer and compare it across providers.
What should I do after the treatment?
Follow the aftercare list exactly. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says to avoid sun exposure for at least seven days. It also says to avoid glycolic, beta hydroxy, retinol, benzyl peroxide and similar medications for one to two days following treatment.
Put the dates on a calendar. Seven days of sun avoidance and one to two days without those products are easy to forget once the pinkness has gone. The dermatologic surgeons' page on microdermabrasion is a reference you can check against your own instructions.
If your provider's instructions differ from the list above, follow your provider and ask why they differ.
Questions to write down before the visit
Turn the sections above into a checklist.
- Is microdermabrasion the right treatment for what bothers me, or is another cosmetic treatment more appropriate?
- Who will perform it, and is that person a dermatologist?
- How many treatments should I plan for, and how far apart?
- What redness or swelling should I expect, and what should I do if I see bruising, burning or stinging?
- What is the sun and product aftercare, and for how many days?
- What skin-care plan will help me keep the result longer?
Bring the list on paper. Cross off each question as it is answered and keep the page.
Book the consultation first
Book a consultation before you book a treatment. If a spot on your skin is changing, put that first and have it examined. Then take the checklist with you and ask for every answer in plain words.