How To Get Ready For A Microdermabrasion – 8 Things To Do

Those with lifeless, dull skin can often benefit a lot from microdermabrasion. This is a non-invasive procedure that can leave the skin soft, clean, and fresh. And you can even combine the procedure with extractions, a facial mask, and other procedures that would make your skin look even better.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

As already mentioned, this is a cosmetic procedure. It utilizes a vacuum and fine crystals in order to remove skin cells that are dead. You can use microdermabrasion on your back, face, hands, neck, and even chest. The goal is to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, age spots, minor scars, and fine lines. Your skin then ends up looking younger and smoother.

While more than a single treatment session is usually needed, the good news is this procedure does not cause scarring or color changes. The bad news is that it does not work with deep wrinkles, stretch marks, or significant scarring.

The two important things you have to remember before you even consider microdermabrasion are:

• Costs – This can be an expensive cosmetic procedure based on what body part you treat and how many treatment sessions are needed.
• Safety – Usually, the procedure is safe but only if it is carried out by a qualified and experienced practitioner. Always avoid practitioners who do not prove their training.

Now that you know what microdermabrasion is and what you have to take into account, let’s discuss how you can get ready for the procedure so you would get the best possible results.

Go To A Consultation

First thing first. If this is the very first time you get microdermabrasion done, you should go to a specialist for a consultation. Every single good clinic out there allows you to get a consultation for free so you can understand all products and services that would work in your case.

Through a consultation, you can figure out what skincare options are the best for you. Also, your skincare provider can assess the skin and be able to determine the most effective and safest treatment possible in your case.

Avoid Exfoliation

You should never do exfoliation (this includes chemical or manual) for 3 to 5 days before microdermabrasion is done. This does include enzymes, scrubs, serums, retinol, and basically all products that include any type of acid. The goal is to not slough off your skin.

Microdermabrasion’s essence is basically that it will manually remove dead skin cells from the outer-most layer. At the same time, blood flow is stimulated and nutrients are driven to the skin epidermis. Remember that over-exfoliation will damage your skin and will cause hyperpigmentation or redness.

In the event that you use Retin-A or any other product with tretinoin, you have to discontinue this for at least one week before microdermabrasion.

Avoid The Sun

Make sure that you avoid any direct sun exposure. Do this for at least 7 days before service. Sun exposure is always recommended but just in moderation. This helps keep your skin healthy. But, if you want to go through microdermabrasion or any other chemical peel treatment, sun exposure should be avoided.

The problem is you never know when the sun is too strong. Exposure is going to damage your skin and make it much more sensitive than it should be. When you have sunburn or redness, a minimum of 2 weeks need to pass before you schedule your microdermabrasion procedure.

The only other thing that should be added about the sun is that if you do have to move outside, protect yourself with creams with a high SPF.

Stop Using NSAIDs

Do this for at least 7 days before the procedure. Do not use NSAIDS like Aleve, Motrin, Ibuprofen, or Advil. This is because they are going to thin out platelets (the cells that help your blood clot).

Both popular types of microdermabrasion (diamond tip and crystal) work great as they remove the dead skin cells and will stimulate the flow of blood to epidermal layer cells. If you take NSAIDs, there is a very high possibility you will be bruised after microdermabrasion. Make sure to discuss this with your doctors when you have to take NSAIDs.

Avoid Fillers And Botox Before Microdermabrasion

There are many people that want to stack cosmetic appointments. If you are among them, you have to be sure you talk to your doctors and that you fully understand what you are going to do. Fillers or Botox need to be avoided at all costs. You should only do microdermabrasion around 4 days after the filler injections at a minimum of four hours after your Botox procedure.

To put things as simple as possible, if you had any of these 2 treatments done recently, discuss it with the provider.

Schedule Facial Waxing 7 Days After Microdermabrasion

Sugaring, threading, and waxing have to be considered at a distance of one week from the microdermabrasion. You can do it after or before.

Threading does not actually remove the skin as hair is removed. But, it can be very irritating and rough. You thus need to schedule it accordingly. Sugaring and facial waxing can end up removing a part of your dead skin cells. It is just better to wait for 7 days so you can be as safe as possible.

Acne And Open Lesions Should Cause Appointment Rescheduling

If your acne wound is open, you should never perform microdermabrasion. The treatment is highly abrasive and will make the area much more damaged than it should be. When you suffer from even simple cold sores, you have to avoid the outbreak.

The big problem is that microdermabrasion will worsen any outbreak you have and re-occurrence can happen. Talk to the provider and figure out what your options are.

Be Careful With Accutane

Last but not least, Accutane will increase skin fragility and sensitivity. This means you can end up damaged and injured simply because of using the medication. Doctors recommend that you wait for a period of six to twelve months after Accutane treatments are done before any exfoliating treatment will be performed. This includes microdermabrasion.