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What is Microdermabrasion?

With the advent of lasers, microdermabrasion systems have been wrongly set aside by many practitioners. The value of controlled medical level exfoliation was – and still is – extremely effective for a wide variety of surface skin issues.
Natural Image OC keeps this workhorse running because it works and works well.

Why Microdermabrasion is So Useful:

  • Usable almost anywhere on the body
  • Effective in fine line reduction around the eyes, lips and forehead
  • Helps reduce acne scarring
  • Revises and smooth surgical or trauma scars (sometimes used post skin cancer surgery to finish reconstruction edges)
  • Improves function of oily skin by unclogging pores
  • Reduces surface epidermal hyperpigmentation
  • Smoothes rough skin caused by sun damage
  • Effective for Seborrhea
  • Effective for blending age spots on the hands and face
  • Prepares the skin for ALA or PDT treatments by helping the skin absorb the applied medication. This applies to the face, chest, arms and legs

What is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that uses abrasion and suction to remove the topmost layer of damaged skin. The skin has multiple layers and is constantly “shedding” old layers as new ones surface in a “skin cycle”. Babies’ and children’s skin cycles quickly, and that’s one reason their skin always looks fresh and dewy. New compact skin cells are smooth, close together, and well hydrated.

As we get a little older, the skin cycle time slows down and the top layers that used to naturally exfoliate quickly now tend to “stick” longer. They get dull, dried out, and rough, absorbing light rather than reflecting light. These old cells tend to remain on the surface and add to any inner pore clogging that is already going on.

If your skin’s natural oils can’t get out, they harden and widen the pore. Clogged pores lead to breakouts or enlargement, further taking away from the skin’s ability to function and look healthy. Even at younger ages in the early to mid-teens, skin cycles are starting to slow. By 30, most patients benefit from exfoliation treatments of one type or another.

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What type of Microdermabrasion is effective?

There are essentially three types of microdermabrasion used in dermatology. The dry microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide or other crystals that are sprayed on the skin under force, dislodging old skin cells; a vacuum tube follows to remove the dislodged skin cells and the crystals. It can be messy and Dr. Sikorski does not like the idea of forcing particulate into the skin.

A second type of microdermabrasion is “wet” – this type of system uses some predetermined topical solutions that are infused into the skin under force following the removal of the epidermal cells that dislodged by use of a diamond abrader. Again, this is not our choice as Dr. Sikorski will have selected the most appropriate topicals to be used for your particular concerns.

Our system is the Diamond Tone manufactured by microdermabrasion system leader Altair. A diamond wand polishes the skin surface with fine diamond chips embedded in the wand tip. Each skin type or condition will mandate which level is used, from extra fine for sensitive skin and the skin in the eye area, to extra coarse for thicker skin that exhibits scarring and/or deeply clogged pores. There is no downtime with this system, it is essentially pain free and there are no left over particles in your pores which can happen with the older crystal machines.

Microdermabrasion as a Preparation for Other Procedures

Microdermabrasion is frequently the first step in PhotoDynamic Therapy as it prepares the skin to accept the topical ALA in treating acne or actinic keratosis. PhotoDynamic Therapy is an excellent rejuvenation treatment for men or women who have diffuse actinic keratoses lesions on the face, chest, arms or legs.

 

Dr. Sikorski Your Consultation Visit

You’ll enjoy a relaxing visit to our office where you can ask questions, meet our staff, take a tour of our office and surgical suite and view additional photo results of our patients.

Your consultation assessment is with Dr. Sikorski, not an impersonal or commissioned sales person. Fees and procedure preparations are discussed with our patient coordinator, who will detail the surgical experience with you.

We look forward to meeting with you and helping you find the simplest solution to achieve the goals you desire. For a microdermabrasion consultation, contact our office.