What’s the Buzz: Microdermabrasion
We are all striving for clear skin and searching for what’s going to do the job. For the next treatment or ingredient that is going to turn back the clock on our aging skin and fine lines. For pesky acne scars that just won’t fade no matter what we do.
This past week I was able to to try a skincare treatment with the Laserderm Spa in Nashville, TN. After doing some research on treatments for acne scarring and reducing the appearance of fine lines/wrinkles, I landed on microdermabrasion. In today’s post, we will be going over:
What is Microderm and what are the benefits?
Before care and after care
My experience & tips
Is it worth it?
What is Microderm and What are the Benefits?
Microderm or microdermabrasion is a type of exfoliating treatment to help clean out pores and remove buildup. There are two main types of Microderm tools: one shoots micro-crystals onto your skin while vacuuming up dead skin and the crystals and the other is a diamond-tipped wand that is used instead of the crystals. Essentially, the crystals or diamond-wand penetrate the top layer of skin to stimulate cell turnover. This replaces the layer of skin with healthier looking skin, increases blood flow to the area and promotes elasticity in the skin. Compared to micro needling, microdermabrasion is safer for acne prone skin and can be used on active breakouts as it isn’t as aggravating.
Now, if you’re going to get this procedure done, you may not see immediate results after one appointment, especially with the disappearance of fine lines, but if you add it in as part of your regular routine you can definitely see the benefits.
Before and After Care
Pre-Treatment: Prior to your appointment, it is recommended to press pause on any other exfoliant or retinoid treatments you incorporate in your weekly routine for up to a week before. These treatments can cause your skin to be more sensitive and consequently make your skin even more unhappy after Microderm.
Post-Treatment: After Microdermabrasion, your skin may be more sensitive to the sun and will likely feel dried out, so make sure to lather up on the moisturizer and sun screen (and don’t forget to reapply throughout the day). Your skin may look slightly inflamed, but you should able to see the full results within 2-3 days after treatment. You can start incorporating your regular skin-care routine after day 5 post-treatment. Lastly, it is recommended to skip the sauna or high-intensity workouts for the next few days as your skin is still sensitive and healing.
My Experience
Now for the good stuff! I got a Groupon (are we surprised?) for one 30 minute session. I arrived a few minutes early to fill out some paperwork and for a consultation before the treatment. We discussed my skin goals and he gave a few recommendations on additional treatments that might help me get there for future appointments. Lastly, he explained what would happen during the appointment and their policies.
Emily was the esthetician I worked with and she was the best! She first applied a cleanser and did a facial massage and then started with the crystal microdermabrasion treatment. I had two active breakouts (that time of the month) and I was a little nervous how it would respond to the treatment.
The treatment did not hurt at all. I would describe it as mildly irritating if anything and would compare it to sandpaper being lightly rubbed on your skin or if a cat was licking your face. After about 10-15 minutes, she cleansed my face again and applied moisturizer as well as a layer of sunscreen to protect my skin. I did notice a slight burning sensation, but again, it wasn’t unbearable and went away after about 15 minutes. And that was it!
The next day, I did notice that my skin looked visibly better. It was still a little red and aggravated but I could already tell the texture had improved and some of my acne scaring had diminished. As for aftercare, I cleansed my face with Cerave Hydrating Cleanser and used The Ordinary’s moisturizer for the next 4-5 days. Needless to say, I will be adding this treatment in monthly and have already booked my next appointment (I will take pictures and add them next time!).
FAQ’s
What to bring to the appointment?
A clean face and that’s pretty much it!
Am I supposed to tip for these kinds of appointments? How much?
Yes, you should definitely tip, just like you would for a hair or nail appointment. As for how much, I discussed it with the owner and he said that it really depends on the person. Some people tip 10%, some 20%, so it really is up to you. Just remember, if you are using a Groupon (because who doesn’t love to save money), just remember to tip off of the initial price. For reference, I tipped $20 on an [originally] $125 service.
What type of skin types can benefit from Microderm? Or who should avoid it?
Microdermabrasion is safe for pretty much all skin types. I discussed this with the owner of laserderm spa and he said that it’s a better exfoliating treatment for sensitive skin types compared to micro needling (which penetrates deeper into the skin). Again, I had an active breakout and it actually improved the texture and decreased the appearance of the breakout. If you have deep wrinkles or scars that you are trying to work on, microderm probably won’t be as effective, but is still beneficial if you keep up with it.
How much does it cost?
Treatments can range between $100-300 depending on where you go. I recommend looking at reviews (off of the Groupon website, if using a Groupon) to make sure the spa is reputable and that other people have had good experiences there. With the Groupon, I paid $31 for a $125 treatment, so it was a pretty great way to try it out!
If you have any questions please leave them down below! I would also love to hear about your experiences with microdermabrasion and if you’ve noticed an improvement in your skin. Thanks for stopping by for a little Balanced Buzz and I hope you’ll join me in my weekly wellness newsletter where I share all of my weekly favorites for hormones, wellness, and shifting to a more positive mindset. Talk to you guys next time!