Worried about ageing skin, pigmentation, scars and open pores? You can fix all these and more with microdermabrasion. You may have heard about it in salons and skin clinics and if you wondered what really happens in it, we give you the lowdown. Skin specialist Dr Shefali Trasi Nerurkar tells us what microdermabrasion is all about and who should get it done.
What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a procedure in which the superficial layer of the skin is exfoliated with the use of aluminium crystals or a diamond tip. The aluminium one can be a bit messy and the results aren’t that great as compared to the diamond one. The procedure may look painful but it isn’t and is non-invasive.
It works on the topmost layer of the skin and removes dead skin cells which makes you look younger and adds a healthy glow to the skin. Your skin also looks brighter, collagen production is boosted and there is visible pore reduction after this treatment.
People who have the following beauty problems can undergo microdermabrasion:
How many sittings do you need to see results?
About six to eight of them are required to see results, but within a couple of sittings you will notice changes in your skin. The trained professional doing the procedure can first analyse your skin to decide how many sittings you really need.
How long do the results last?
They last for a couple of months.
What is the cost of this procedure?
Microdermabrasion can start from as low as Rs 500 depending on the body part you are getting treated.
Does it have any side-effects?
This procedure doesn’t have any side-effect as such but there are minimal chances of milia formation (small cysts) on the skin if not done the right way. But there are rarely any cases of infection. There have been some reports of people accidently inhaling aluminium oxide powder but the improved diamond crystal tip gives better results without the risk. But always get it done from a reputed professional who is trained to perform this procedure.
Who should avoid it?
Though the procedure is safe, those who have active acne or keloids should avoid getting microdermabrasion done or consult their skin specialist before they do so.
Watch how microdermabrasion is performed:
Image source: Shutterstock
Video source: About.com/YouTube
For more articles on skincare, visit our skincare section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter.