Aging is a fact of life, but it doesn’t mean you actually have to look frumpy. You can look great at any age — all you need is a little maintenance here and there. However, be aware of the many products out there that claim to deter the process of aging. Those looking for a quick fix usually fall for the outrageously promising claims that entice you to buy their products.
Indeed, such claims are rather appealing but you must be careful about what you buy. Not only because you should only spend your hard-earned money on quality things that you really need, but also because many of the products on the market haven’t been properly tested and could damage the skin on your face further. That’s not to say many of them don’t have certain benefits and can, in fact, deter aging. You just have to find the right one for you and use it according to the instructions.
Best Microdermabrasion at Home to Fight Aging
For instance, the at home microdermabrasion technique we’re about to describe here today can do more damage than good when improperly used. You can either do a microdermabrasion treatment at home or let a professional do it for you if it makes you nervous. In any case, it’s a good way to remove the thicker, uneven outer layer of skin to reveal the youthful skin beneath it, minimize some types of scars, and even treat any discoloration caused by sun exposure. It's similar to a chemical peel in this regard.
Not only that, but microdermabrasion treatments can also improve age spots, blackheads, and patches of darkened skin cells as well as lessen the appearance of stretch marks, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and eliminate enlarged pores. In fact, many people use it for acne, especially to treat the scars left by it. In short, it’s an exfoliation technique that can refresh the appearance of your skin by revealing a more youthful glow.
Microdermabrasion Treatments
In-Clinic Microdermabrasion
One of the ways in which microdermabrasion works is by helping thicken your collagen — the protein that made your skin firm and youthful when you were a child, and that decreases as you age, resulting in looser, uneven, sensitive skin. As we said above, you can either do your microdermabrasion at home or seek professional help. In any case, it’s a minimally invasive procedure done with an abrasive instrument that gently sands your dark spots, dead cells, sun damage, dry skin, aging skin, and basically removes the thicker, uneven outer layer of skin debris.
The average cost of a microdermabrasion treatment is $167, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Keep in mind that this is only part of the total price and doesn’t include any related expenses, so consult a professional to obtain a better cost estimate. Some offer skin care payment plans, so be sure to ask about them.
Their prices are usually based on your skin type and skin condition and on the expertise and qualifications of the person who does the microdermabrasion anti aging treatment as well as the time and effort they put into it. Be aware that the costs also vary greatly from location to location. It's always a good idea to verify the plastic surgeon's certifications. This is because their experience along with how comfortable you feel around them are important considerations.
Microdermabrasion Machine at Home
A home microdermabrasion machine usually polishes and buffs your skin with a stream of fine crystals or a diamond tip. Furthermore, some systems come with a vacuum to suck up loose skin cells, remove some acne scars and reveal healthy skin. At-home systems don't penetrate as deeply in comparison to the tools used in a clinic, and their tips are reusable. Be aware that they can lead to infection if not properly cleaned. In turn, those used at the clinic are more powerful, can penetrate more deeply, and their tips are sterilized after every use, so the risk of infection is minimal.
In addition, only use this type of home microdermabrasion machine once or twice a week to help topical products better penetrate the skin and have a beautiful post-treatment glow. Indeed, it can be addicting, but you don’t want to overdo it. This is because excessive use could have the opposite effect, leaving you with red, raw skin that’s more susceptible to infection. Always moisturize after every treatment to protect your skin.
A home microdermabrasion treatment is a novelty for many people, so here are some kits to get you started. Always confirm your best choices of microdermabrasion machines with a dermatologist before using any of them on your skin, especially on your face. It’s true that most people hate being questioned about things they take for granted, but question them about any concern you might have until you’re satisfied with the information. Remember, it’s wise to be careful and protect yourself against risk rather than be careless. So, ask away.
Can Microdermabrasion Deter Aging?
Well, yes and no. Microdermabrasion work is a great way to counteract some of the signs of aging on your face and make you look youthful without undergoing invasive surgical procedures. The treatment is safe for most skin types and, thus, a good way to reduce the signs of aging on your face.
The thing is, the elasticity and firmness of your face decreases as you age because your body produces less collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for young-looking skin. Thus, this kind of deficiency makes skin sag, and fine lines and wrinkles begin to occur. Microdermabrasion is merely an exfoliating treatment that can help you reveal a fresh layer of skin and appear younger. It won’t reverse the process of aging nor speed up collagen production. Plastic surgery might be for you if you're looking for more drastic results.
One of These Might Be the Best Microdermabrasion Machine for You
Seraphic Skincare Korean Exfoliating Mitts
This is a viscose fiber mitt for microdermabrasion at home to remove dead skin. It’s great to remove dead skin cells and thus perfect for spray tan removal and to keep keratosis pilaris at bay — a condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps on the skin.
This microdermabrasion at home mitt makes your skin smooth and the results are optimal when you use it two to four times per month: it leads to better product absorption, fewer bumps and ingrown hairs, and increased circulation. It's 100% viscose and, thus, particularly great for gently buffing out your tan, although you can also use it to prep your skin before you apply tanning lotion as well.
This mitt is better than a loofah and chemical exfoliants as these just don’t have the same skin-gripping power. That is, they’re not as good at removing dead skin. In turn, this mitt is rough enough for deep exfoliation and yet soft enough to buff and smooth it.
The mitt is quite easy to use. Get in the shower and let it soften your skin first or soak in the tub for several minutes. You don’t need products, oils, or cleansers — just water. Dampen and wring out the mitt while you wait and then rub your skin to see if the skin easily lifts or if you need to soak further.
When you’re ready, put on your mitt and use either small circles or back and forth strokes to exfoliate every section of your body. Increase the pressure slowly but keep it comfortable. Your skin will either peel off or just feel really smooth. Everyone is different, and it may take you a few sessions to nail the soak time and pressure that are right for you.
Proceed with your favorite cleanser and moisturizer and wash your mitt while you’re at it; hang it to air dry between uses to maximize its lifespan.
Here are a few tips from a happy customer: “Make sure you've been in your bath or shower for at least 5-10 minutes for it to be effective. Your skin should be softened and you might want to wait until the pads of your fingers get a little wrinkly. Thus, you don't need any soap during this process, only the friction on your skin and the product. So, save the soap for later. Turn off the water and start to scrub in long back and forth motions and watch the magic happen.”
Photo source: amazon.com
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Starter Kit
This is a complete at-home microdermabrasion facial system with a handheld device and twelve single-use puffs with glycerin for skin exfoliation that tones your skin and minimizes the appearance of your pores. The starter kit includes everything you need to revitalize your skin for a full month and its batteries are included.
The microdermabrasion single-use puffs contained in this kit feature pre-dosed ultra-fine crystals and mild purifiers that provide the perfect degree of exfoliation you need to reveal youthful skin. In turn, the massager uses micro-vibrations to boost skin renewal.
According to Neutrogena, 91 percent of the people they tested had smoother skin right after the first application, and 88 percent had visible improvements in the look of fine lines after a week. Furthermore, it reduced the appearance of wrinkles and other age-related spots after four weeks of continued use. In general, 72 percent of the participants had substantially firmer-looking skin overall.
To use the products, you just have to attach a wet puff onto the attachment head of the handheld device and press with your thumbs to securely fix it. Then, select the low speed to begin and gently massage your face for one to two minutes in every area. You may increase the speed when you feel comfortable and adjust it to your needs. Then, rinse thoroughly with water and dispose of the microdermabrasion puff you just used.
According to one reviewer: “Those little blue puffs may not seem dangerous, but anything you misuse can harm you. Thus, you shouldn’t apply too much pressure, if at all, when using the handheld device on your face. This is because it can scrape your skin. Read the directions as they clearly state you should avoid the thin skin in your eye area.
Use warm water to fully open your pores after initially washing your face to prepare. After wetting the puff, you’ll feel and see the frothing mixture form. The gentle vibration feels great, just keep your eyes tightly shut to keep the foam out, but be sure it covers your face. You can also do your neck, front, and back. That gentle vibration is sensual and your skin will feel a great clean tingle afterward.”
Photo source: amazon.com
PMD Personal Microderm Classic
This is a handheld one-speed device with patented spinning discs embedded with aluminum oxide crystals to exfoliate away dead and dull skin cell barriers to reveal glowing, youthful skin. The perfectly calibrated vacuum suction increases circulation and triggers the skin’s natural healing process which boosts collagen and elastin. It does so by removing the dull cells off the top layer of dead skin.
The product is quite easy to use, but we recommend watching the training video before you use it for the first time. Then, try the handheld device with the white trainer disc; you want to be able to handle it and make sure it doesn't irritate your skin.
Once you’re ready to use it for real, run the device across your face while holding your skin taut without pressing or hovering too long on a single spot. Likewise, do a section at a time, and don’t go over those you’ve already covered once. Also, wait about a week before you use it again. Very important: don’t brag about your soft skin too much, people will hate you for it.
A happy customer says that: “Her skin has never felt so breathable, smooth, and refreshed. She actually took a photo before starting and another after three times of using it and noticed that not only are her fine lines disappearing, but her skin tone is more even. Also, the scars she’s had since she was a teen are beginning to go away. Another thing she wasn’t expecting was for the appearance of her pores to improve and look so amazing.”
Photo source: amazon.com
Things to Keep in Mind If You Do Microdermabrasion at Home
Microdermabrasion is usually a safe procedure but there are potential side effects; although, these mainly affect the epidermis — the outermost skin layer. The side effects may include bruising and redness, skin tightness, and overall sensitivity. In general, the greater the potential benefits of a given treatment, the greater its potential side effects. As you can imagine, aggressive treatments like dermabrasion and laser have a much higher risk than milder ones.
Other possible side effects are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, small skin abrasions, bleeding, fine broken blood vessels, and cold sore reactivation around the lips. The eye around your skin could also bruise if you take aspirin or other blood thinners regularly.
As for the cold sore reactivation, it mainly occurs after using microdermabrasion too close to the lips so you might want to avoid it if you’re prone to cold sores. There are some things your doctor can do to prevent, it like prescribing an antiviral pill, so ask them about it. It usually involves taking 800 mg of acyclovir 800 mg or 1 gr of valacyclovir once a day, starting the day before the microdermabrasion session and two days after days after. Be aware that antiviral lotions aren’t effective when it comes to cold sore prevention.
Furthermore, an overly aggressive session of diamond microdermabrasion could cause breaks in your skin and result in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Likewise, undergoing it too often could increase your risk of bruising, like we said above, if you're taking aspirin or other blood thinners like warfarin and Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate). Scarring and pigment changes are rare in those procedures that are performed correctly because these are only supposed to remove the superficial layer of skin.
There’s a slight chance of an increase in surface blood vessels in those with scleroderma, extremely thin skin, severe sun damage, and lupus. This is also true in those who have been taking prednisone in any form as well as those with abnormally fragile skin.
Resurfacing treatments with a microdermabrasion tool aren't appropriate for those either currently undergoing an Accutane (isotretinoin) treatment or who've taken the medication within the previous six months. The risk is low, and this is why some dermatologists are particularly gentle when doing microdermabrasion on those taking isotretinoin.
The Process of Aging
Wrinkles and fine lines are part of the natural cycle of life, but they’re also a sort of timeline, the history of your life that begins as soon as you’re born. As you know, every organism has a cycle and is subject to environmental dangers beyond its control. Even if your body could remain intact, your system could collapse as a result of an accident.
So, try to have a long fruitful life but enjoy every stage. Allow the intensity of your emotions to be the result of the awareness that your time on earth is limited. As you can see, graceful, dignified aging begins with affirmation and you can be your best cheerleader in front of the mirror in a society collectively consumed by body image and an attitude of avoidance.
Indeed, aging haunts and strikes fear into the hearts of many because there’s a media campaign telling you so. Their portrayals of aging instill many negative notions about older people. However, these only take away the beauty of the aging process and make you believe is something to avoid at all costs (yours, which usually profit their pockets). Don’t fall for it. Definitely pamper yourself as much as you can but do so because you love who you are, not because someone you don’t know on TV tells you to.
