Skin Care Review: Microdermabrasion

My friend, a female in her late thirties, has been raving about microdermabrasion and how great her skin looks after having undergone the initial six treatments and regularly scheduled follow up treatments. I did some online research on the procedure and the only negative reports were from women who had used the procedure to reverse spots and discoloration from the sun and saw benefits from the intial six treatments, but after one day of being in the sun, all of the spots and discoloration immediately returned. I dismissed this information since, (1) I stay out of the sun and use sunscreen and (2) I don't have any spots or discoloration. I asked my facialist what she thought about microdermabrasion and if I would be a good candidate. She felt that, since I am a 34 year old female with good skin, I could benefit from one treatment of microdermabrasion and follow up with less expensive glycolic peels. She felt that the series of six treatments were warranted only for the elimination of spots, discoloration or deep wrinkles.

On Saturday, March 17, 2001, I had a microdermabrasion treatment. The procedure was a little uncomfortable, but not unbearable. My facialist asked me if I wanted her to reduce the pressure, and I said no, believing that the procedure would not be as intense and I wanted the most bang for my buck. After the microdermabrasion, she applied a mask and followed that with some facial cream. The biggest difference I, and my husband, noticed was that my face was extremely soft - from the cream. Once I washed my face, the softness was gone.

I tried to really see if any of the fine lines on my face and neck were diminshed or gone. A few lines around my forehead and nose were either diminished or gone, but returned within less than 48 hours.

The results certainly were not worth the $150.00 that I paid. I would have been better off with my normal facial that comes with a significantly lower price tag. My friend has reminded me! that I would need to do the initial six treatments over a 12 week period (one treatment every two weeks) and follow up with monthly treatments to see results, and I can appreciate that there would be a cumulative effect, however, I saw no visible difference in my skin texture, appearance or tone that would lead me to spend another $750 (not including tips) to get through just the intial series of treatments.

At best, and realistically, the treatment had the effect of a really good facial scrub. Another woman I spoke to about microdermabrasion said that the effects do not last unless you want to keep getting monthly or bi-monthly treatments and they don't last if you go in the sun (and living in South Florida you are always in the sun, even when you are just driving your car or walking through a parking lot to your car). I am now going to research a new procedure called the Photo-Facial and will let you know the results!