What To Do After A Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion facials are one of the best, no down-time treatments to prevent and correct fine lines, wrinkles, acne scarring, pigmentation, uneven skin tone, and skin texture.

The most common concern after receiving the treatment is redness to the skin.

One of the primary benefits of the treatment is the exceptional stimulation of blood flow.

The epidermis does not contain any blood vessels, which are responsible for delivering nutrients throughout the body.

Instead, the epidermis receives nourishment by diffusion from the capillaries in the upper layers of the dermis.

The redness that you may experience in your skin is a good thing. This is a visible indicator that we’ve stimulated microcirculation and those epidermal layers have been nourished.

Redness in the skin will usually subside within a few hours the day of service. In some cases it can take up to 48 hours, but can usually be covered with makeup.

Let’s now discuss how to care for your skin after your microdermabrasion.

POST MICRODERMABRASION CARE

1. Discontinue use of any all exfoliating agents for one week.

Products that have an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid, like glycolic), BHA (beta hydroxy acid, like salicylic), micro beads, enzymes, or a retinol will all further exfoliate the skin.

Microdermabrasion removes the top eighth layer of dead skin cells, thereby removing what your body recognizes as its “protective” layer.

 
The stratum corneum (dead keratinocyte) layer is sloughed off during a microdermabrasion service. This causes the basal layer cells to replicate, creating daughter cells that result in increased collagen, elastin, and skin thickness. 

The stratum corneum (dead keratinocyte) layer is sloughed off during a microdermabrasion service. This causes the basal layer cells to replicate, creating daughter cells that result in increased collagen, elastin, and skin thickness. 

 

What is left beneath will be fresh, healthy skin cells that are very much alive.

Over-exfoliating these cells can damage the skin and cause irritation or hyperpigmentation.

2. Use a gentle cleanser.

Your skin may feel tender, or somewhat like a sunburn.

As stated above, the outermost layers of skin cells have been removed and the cells left behind must be treated with care.

If you have a Clarisonic, avoid using for at least 72 hours. Premature use can irritate the skin, so stick to hand washing at first.

(Click here to check out our favorite face wash.)

3. Do not touch or pick the skin.

While there is little to no down-time with this treatment, there may be visible cellular regeneration (flaky skin.)

This will usually be contained to the areas where the face is contracted the most (around the mouth is most common.)

Do not pick or pull this skin off. The cells of your epidermis are connected by something called desmosomes.

Picture the connection made between links of a puzzle. When you pick up one piece, another automatically tries to go with it, right?

 
 

That’s how the cells of the skin work. Holding on for dear life, epidermal cells are very attached to one another.

Essentially you will over-exfoliate the skin. Removing cells prematurely can cause hyperpigmentation, redness, and irritation.

4. Avoid direct contact with the sun for 48 hours.

This one should be a no-brainer, as I’ve stated twice now: we have removed the protective barrier.

Direct sun exposes the skin to damaging UV rays and will undoubtedly slow the healing process.

(For more ways to protect your skin, check out these 6 tips.)

5. WEAR SUNSCREEN DAILY.

You see I capitalized that one there.

Why? Because this is the most important after care instruction of all.

 
   Contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid. This photoprotective powerhouse uses an all natural, micronized, nano-free zinc that goes on clear and leaves no white residue.  Shop here. 

 

Contains Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic Acid. This photoprotective powerhouse uses an all natural, micronized, nano-free zinc that goes on clear and leaves no white residue. Shop here. 

 

What brought you into the spa originally?

Dull, lifeless skin? Sun spots? Fine lines and wrinkles? Overexposure is a primary contributor to all.

Sun exposure (in moderation) is an absolute must, yes. However, the sun is the reason for pigmentation.

It prematurely ages the skin and is we get those very known “sun spots.”

 
The picture on the right showcases the effects of pollution and photodamage. 

The picture on the right showcases the effects of pollution and photodamage. 

 

Melanin is responsible for the pigment color of your skin. It is produced by cells called melanocytes and is a defense mechanism to protect the nucleus of the cell.

Melanin places itself between the outer layer of the cell and the nucleus, which is where the DNA is housed.

This is why when we lay out, we tan. It is our body's natural defense to protect our cells from being damaged by UV rays.

(Not sure what SPF you should be wearing? Click here to read more.)

6. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

Your entire body, both internally and externally.

Make sure you are drinking an adequate amount of water, as well as applying a quality moisturizer both morning and evening.

Not sure how much water you should be drinking? Divide your body weight in half and there you go. You need that many ounces of water per day.

Let's say you weigh 130 lbs.

That means you need to drink 65 ounces of water each day. For every ounce of another liquid you drink, add that many more ounces.

8 ounces of coffee? 8 more ounces of water.

8 ounces of black tea? 8 more ounces of water.

Caffeinated drinks dehydrate the skin, so only herbal teas get a pass on this one.

(For 10 reasons why water is important, click here.)

The purpose of moisturizer is that it hydrates the skin. It locks onto water molecules and suspends them in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin).

This protects the skin by creating a barrier between you and harsh environmental agents that want nothing more than to damage and age your skin.

The reason our bodies produce oil is to protect the skin from becoming dry and cracking. Washing your face strips the skin of natural oils that safeguard its health and longevity.

This is why we tone and moisturize the skin afterwards. Toner balances the pH level and moisturizer replenishes the hydration your skin needs to stay youthful and protected.

Hint: hydrated skin is healthy skin. We all want that radiant dewy look, don’t we?

 
Awarded Best Facial Moisturizer in Natural Solutions Magazine's 'Beauty with a Conscience' Awards.   Check it out   here.   

Awarded Best Facial Moisturizer in Natural Solutions Magazine's 'Beauty with a Conscience' Awards. Check it out here. 

 

Allison Bingham