What to Expect During Your First Microdermabrasion Treatment
Microdermabrasion is an immensely popular skin treatment that can be done at the salon, skin spa, or at your dermatologist’s office. If you’ve never had one before, you’re probably wondering what happens during a microdermabrasion treatment. Like, how long does a treatment last? And, does it hurt?
This article gives answers to the most-asked questions about microdermabrasion. This can help you know what to expect during your first treatment.
What Are the Types of Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a professional procedure that can be done by both dermatologists and estheticians alike. There are two main types of microdermabrasion procedures—crystal microdermabrasion and diamond microdermabrasion. Both are used to thoroughly exfoliate the skin.
During crystal microdermabrasion, microfine crystals are shot from a small tube onto your skin and simultaneously vacuumed back up. Think of this as working like a high-powered scrub.
Diamond microdermabrasion is a crystal-free version that uses a diamond-tipped wand to exfoliate instead.
Both forms of microdermabrasion have many benefits. Just one microdermabrasion treatment leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth and looking radiant. A series of treatments can improve skin’s texture and tone. It can also reduce fine wrinkles, sun damage, acne/acne scars, enlarged pores, and even stretch marks.1
Recap
Crystal microdermabrasion uses microfine crystals and diamond microdermabrasion uses a diamond-tipped wand to exfoliate your skin.
How Long Does a Treatment Take?
The actual microdermabrasion procedure is quick—it takes just 15 to 30 minutes. Your technician will lead you to the treatment room, where you’ll change into a gown and lie down on the bed.
Your technician will cleanse your face to prep your skin before doing the microdermabrasion procedure. After crystal microdermabrasion, they’ll cleanse your face again to clean away any stray crystals. Follow up with an application of moisturizer and sunscreen, and you’re done.
Many salons, day spas, and medi-spas will also incorporate microdermabrasion into a complete facial treatment. In this case, you’ll also be treated to a mask and facial massage. For this, expect to spend about 60 to 90 minutes in the treatment chair.
Recap
A microdermabrasion procedure takes 15 to 30 minutes. If you’re also getting a complete facial treatment, it will likely take about 60 to 90 minutes.
How Much Does It Cost?
Depending on where you live and where you have your treatment done, the cost can range from $75 to upwards of $300 per treatment. If you go to a posh salon in an affluent area and opt for the works facial treatment, expect to pay a premium for your microdermabrasion.
If instead, you opt for no-frills microdermabrasion at the local salon, your cost will be on the lower end of the scale. Shop around. The highest-price treatment isn’t necessarily the best, but bargain-basement-priced procedures should be looked into skeptically.
Recap
Microdermabrasion usually costs about $75 to $300 per treatment.
How Many Treatments Are Needed?
How many treatments you will need is completely dependent on what your end goal is. Are you on vacation and treating yourself to a day at the spa? Just one treatment will leave your skin looking bright and feeling buttery soft.
But if you’re looking for improvement of a specific skin problem, you really need a series of treatments to see any positive effects. The results you get from microdermabrasion are cumulative.2
Generally, six to 10 treatments are scheduled seven to 14 days apart. The number and frequency of treatments vary depending on your skin’s needs and your skincare goals. The technician doing your procedure will let you know the best treatment schedule for your specific situation.
Recap
If you’re getting a series of microdermabrasion treatments, you’ll usually schedule six to 10 sessions that are one to two weeks apart.
Does Microdermabrasion Hurt?
The thought of having crystals blasted onto your skin or a diamond-tipped wand dragged across your face seems brutal. But it really isn’t as bad as it sounds. Some people liken the feeling to the rough lick of a cat’s tongue. Others describe it as a gritty facial massage or report feeling just minor tugging on the skin.
However it’s described, you needn’t worry. Because it works on just the surface layers of the skin, microdermabrasion isn’t painful.
If your technician is being a bit heavy-handed for your liking, let them know. Your microdermabrasion treatment should not be uncomfortable.
What Can I Expect After Treatment?
Because it works on the very surface of the skin, there are few issues in terms of microdermabrasion side effects. However, tenderness, swelling, or minor bruising can occur.2 Typically after treatment, your skin will be a bit pink. This usually fades within a few hours.
For a day or so afterward, it might feel like you have a minor sunburn. Otherwise, you’ll be able to go about your day right after your treatment without anyone any wiser about what you’ve had done.
Acne treatments, toners, and medicated cleansers will probably burn or sting if you apply them right after a microdermabrasion treatment. You may want to hold off using them for a day.
Makeup, moisturizers, and non-medicated cleansers can usually be used right after treatment with no problems.
You’ll definitely need to use sunscreen. You’ll be a bit more susceptible to sun damage after treatment. (But you’re already using sunscreen daily, right?)
Recap
After microdermabrasion, your skin will be a little pink. You may have some minor tenderness and swelling. Remember to use sunscreen to protect your skin afterward.
Summary
Microdermabrasion can improve your skin’s appearance by gently removing the top layer of skin. It can be done with crystals or a diamond-tipped wand to exfoliate your skin.
The procedure usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. It can cost between $75 to $300 per session. You may just have one session or up to 10 treatments scheduled a week or two weeks apart.
Microdermabrasion should just feel like a gritty face massage or minor tugging. If it’s uncomfortable, let your technician know. Afterward, you may have some tenderness, swelling, or minor bruising. Remember to wear sunscreen afterward to protect your new skin.
A Word From Verywell
Microdermabrasion is a very safe procedure for most people (although there are some people who should not have a microdermabrasion treatment). Microdermabrasion is a valuable skincare procedure, but it isn’t a miracle cure for all problems. It won’t treat deeper lines and wrinkles or acne scars.
Prior to treatment, talk about your skincare goals and expectations so that you and your technician are on the same page. This will ensure you walk away from your treatment happy with the results.
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