The practice, if not the name, has been around for thousands of years as the ancient Egyptian royalty would use pumice and alabaster to slough their skin for a smoother appearance. Dermabrasion has been practiced through the 20th century, although unlike its younger relative MICROdermabrasion, dermabrasion is much more invasive. Dermabrasion uses a local anaesthetic and a tool is used by a surgeon to remove a number of layers of skin. In the 1980’s the Microdermabrasion technique was developed by two Italian doctors and the process hasn’t looked back since.

Microdermabrasion treatments today follow the route of running a wand over the face that drives very fine crystals against the face. This action scrapes off the top layer of skin and the fragments are suctioned off.

The top layer of the skin is dead and naturally peels away to reveal the fresh new skin beneath. However if the renewal process is being impeded in some way this doesn’t always happen as efficiently as it should and the skin may not be as soft and smooth as it should. Microdermabrasion is a helping hand for nature to shed skin in a controlled manner.

Treatment is almost painless. Some people think it will almost feel like sandpaper due to the word abrasion appearing in the name. However Microdermabrasion has been likened to being licked on the face by a cat. While it might feel a little unusual to start with the patient becomes used to the action. Treatments usually only last for 15 to 30 minutes. There are home Microdermabrasion kits, but they do not use a machine and can not be as effective as those done in the doctor’s surgery, spa or beauty clinic.

After treatment the skin may appear a little red, like a light sunburn or windburn. This will disappear in 3 or 4 hours and you will be given instructions for a moisturising regime. There is no downtime due to the non-invasiveness and patients can immediately carry on with their daily routines, although staying out of the sun for a couple of days is usually recommended.

Generally a series of treatments is recommended. While skin and wrinkles might feel improved after one session the best results are obtained after about 5 sessions. These sessions are usually at least a couple days apart so as not to put your skin under undue pressure. A follow up session is also recommended every three or four months to maintain the skin conditions.

Microdermabrasion can be used to treat fine wrinkles, age spots, reduce acne scars and for a general exfoliation process. It will not, however, remove tattoos or deeper scarring as it is only working on the outer dead layer of skin.

Microdermabrasion is a procedure that can be carried out with very few risks. The best outcome is a smoother, clearer, healthier looking skin.