At our Santa Rosa and San Francisco offices we offer Microdermabrasion skin restoration. Microdermabrasion is a revolutionary skin restoration process approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is commonly referred to as the “lunchtime peel.” It was first introduced in Europe in 1986. The number of procedures in the United States has rapidly increased due to its rejuvenating effects. The process of microdermabrasion consists of highly controlled vacuum and pressure applied to small abrasive crystals over the surface of the skin. By repeating this process over the course of several weeks or months, the younger, softer skin moves to the surface, revealing more radiant, younger, and tighter skin underneath. Treatable conditions include sun-damaged skin, enlarged pores, oily and acne- prone skin, superficial acne scars, blackheads and whiteheads, age spots and superficial pigmentation, and fine wrinkles. If you are in good health, microdermabrasion may be the answer to smoother, healthier skin.
FAQ
Before the Procedure
Procedure
After the Procedure
Before the Procedure
Who is a poor candidate for microdermabrasion?
Patients with a history of cold sores (herpes virus), rosacea, or sunburn should be cautious about treatment.
What are the pretreatment and posttreatment recommendations?
Stop all prescription skin creams such as Retin-A or Renova several days prior to treatment. Wait several days to resume creams or other deep exfoliative treatments such as waxing. Notify the doctor of any cold sores or open cuts. For women: remove all make-up prior to coming to treatment. You may wear light make-up after treatment. For men: shave several hours before treatment, not right before. Direct sun exposure should be avoided the week after treatment, and sunscreen should be used.
How is microdermabrasion different in a medical office versus a spa?
At LaserVue, a doctor administers the treatment for best results. Also, the microdermabrasion machine is a medical device that is much more powerful than a spa unit or “aesthetic spa machine.” The doctor can also recommend additional therapies or prescription medications for maximum results.
Can areas other than the face be treated?
Yes, all areas of the body can be treated. The second most commonly treated area is the back.
Procedure
Can it be combined with chemical peels?
Yes. This is commonly done, and the two procedures have a synergistic effect.
Is microdermabrasion painful?
No. It is a gentle “sandblasting” of the skin.
How long does it take?
Treatment time varies from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the area being treated and the severity of the skin problem.
How many treatments are necessary?
Most patients require six to 12 treatments that are done two to three weeks apart. After that, patients may wish to return every two to three months to maintain younger-looking, smoother skin. These desirable effects will increase over the course of the treatment series. However, expectations must be realistic.
After the Procedure
Is there any downtime?
No. Because the procedure is noninvasive and nonsurgical, patients can return to normal activities immediately. Perspiration can irritate the skin for the first several hours, so you may want to wait until the next day to exercise.
Cosmetic procedures are performed in Santa Rosa.
