Does microderabrasion work, or is it just quackery?

Microdermabrasion sounds too good to be true, a miraculous treatment that can literally take years off you in just a few treatments; lines, wrinkles and blemishes all taken care of at the stroke of a wand. And yet, it works, it *really* works.

Microdermabrasion is a non-evasive treatment that uses mild acid or rough, abrasive grit from the pits of different fruits or ground minerals to effectively remove the upper layer of the skin (the epidermis). It is usually performed by a skin care professional, and has very little chance of side effects whatsoever. The skin is usually slightly reddened from the abrasion; however, the redness disappears in two to three days, and often in a matter of hours.

I had years of mild scarring on my face that had constantly bothered me. When I was a teenager, I had severe acne. I remember the pain with never-ending jokes about my face. Even though I am an now an adult and no longer have acne, I was really self-conscience about some of the small scars left from it. Not only did I have the acne issue from years past, but over the years I have been exposed to sun and had noticed some moderate skin damage. Also, I am at the age where I am noticing tiny wrinkles around my eyes and mouth. As most women will tell you, wrinkles are never a welcomed sight in the mirror (unless it's that Shar-Pei puppy you always wanted).

One of my friends recommended that I try microdermabrasion. I have spent a great deal of money on makeup or anything that could possibly cover up the acne scars and sun damage, with no real improvements. I was skeptical at first; how could this procedure work for me? I was not so concerned about the cost, because frankly the cost of makeup is approaching an all-time highs. The recent makeup I have been using, changed their formula and it was not giving me the right coverage anymore.

I did a lot of research before I made my decision. I found a great doctor who was willing to sit me down and explain the entire procedure to me, step by step. I was apprehensive, but I suppose I would feel that way with any procedure. There are different ways in which one can have microdermabrasion treatment. The most common method is actually sanding the first layer of skin away using crystals and suction to remove dead skin. The second method is to use rubs with exfoliates in them, which in turn do the exact same thing. Dermabrasion is similar, except it is the surgical removal of the first layer of skin. The method for doing this has changed over the years. While there are many ways to have this procedure done, I chose to go with the traditional sanding method over lasers or dermabrasion surgery.

The day of my procedure, I was nervous, but I knew that it was not a big deal. I was optimistic to look like a teen again, but I wasn't using a fairy godmother and a magic wand. I had realistic expectations and just wanted to remove some of the damage. The doctor explained the entire process from start to finish once again, which put me at ease. The process began and I started to feel a slight sanding sensation; it was mild and nothing painful at all. I was worried that it really would feel like heavy duty sandpaper, taking chunks of my skin, so I was shocked. The entire procedure took around 25 minutes from start to finish. I was amazed at just how quick the entire procedure actually was. My face felt a little tender and it was very red, but I was not in pain. I knew that I would not be able to wear any makeup or use any facial treatments on my face, for a few days at least.

Just the first day following the procedure, I was liking what I saw. My face was still red as a beetroot; however, I could clearly see that the smile lines around my mouth were drastically improved. I also had a brown age spot up by my left eye, which was miraculously gone. So far, I still could not put any makeup on or facial cleansers, but I was looking good. Day 2 was pretty much the same feelings as day one. But it was on day four that I felt like a new person. By this time the entire redness had faded to a soft and golden color. I was noticing, that I could probably pass for a person 10 years younger. I felt a boost in my self-esteem and I knew that I had made the right choice.

I went back to work the following Monday and my face was the subject of the day. I never told people why I was off, but they could tell that something was definitely different about my face. I noticed when I got ready for work; I didn’t need a pallet knife of makeup. I put a very light coat of foundation for color and some eye shadow. The years of piling on foundation as thick as putty, was finally over. I was amazed at the results, so much that I decided I had to share my story.

If someone asked me if I would do this procedure again, my answer would be a resounding "yes". There is no pain involved, just a bit of tenderness. Finding the right doctors is very important. A dermatologist who will take time to explain the entire process and walk you through the steps, taking the nervousness out of any procedure is so calming. If anyone asked me if they should try this procedure, for the most part I would say "yes". Depending on the issues one is dealing with, it could do wonders for them too. Not only does it work with age spots, wrinkles, scars, discoloration and birth marks, but also tattoos. Anyone looking to make themselves years younger, by simply sanding away the errors of time, microderabrasion is an excellent option.