Preparing for microdermabrasion

Care with microdermabrasion procedures

Procedures of microdermabrasion are performed using a hand piece (with a specifically designed sterilizable tip), that is attached to a machine that provides air pressure and a vacuum. The technique is precisely performed by moving the hand piece along the skin surface, after a through cleansing of the skin is made, and effectively sand blasting the skin with crystals applied under pressure. The crystals and abraded skin is then removed by suction to maintain hygiene and avoid contamination.

Although there are few risks associated with the microdermabrasion procedure for healthy and suitable candidates of microdermabrasion; care needs to be taken with the machines that are used for the microdermabrasion treatment. They need to be kept in good working order and they need to be hygienically cleaned after each procedure.

Care needs to be taken when medical grade machines are used at high power for the microdermabrasion treatment as then they carry the potential risk of causing significant damage to the skin including promoting hyperpigmentation, perforation, bleeding, and infection.

Risk of Infection

There is some risk of infection with microdermabrasion particularly if the machines are not sterile. Some cross-contamination is likely to be present if proper care with the machines is not taken. The machines need to be thoroughly cleaned after each procedure and some parts need to be sterilized. Often the piece of the machine applied to the skin can be sterilized or sometimes it is made of plastic and can be disposed of after each use.

Bloody material can be found on the handpiece after performing microdermabrasion on a patient with acne scaring. So it is not sufficient to sterilize the distal cap of the handpiece or to use disposable caps. It is suggested that the whole handpiece itself must be sterilized to prevent the transmission of infectious particles to a subsequent patient receiving microdermabrasion.

Because of the safety to the patient and also to clinic staff, it is advisable that all the components of these microdermabrasion machines need to be sterilized, autoclaved or changed out.

Care before and after the procedure

Instructions of the cosmetic surgeon are to be followed strictly. Most physicians recommend no usage of Retinoid/Retinol or AHA 3 days before the treatment.

Similarly the usage of Retinoid drugs needs to be avoided for at least 3 days after the surgery. Additionally, maintaining healthy skin through proper care, a healthy diet, and skin supplements is essential for good skin.

Special care after the treatment

Advanced healing products for home care can be used on recommendation from the clinic providing the microdermabrasion procedures.

Proper hydration is essential for a good outcome, drinking plenty of fluids is beneficial.

As the treated skin is more vulnerable to photo damage, exposure to sun should always be avoided for at least 7 days. A rehydrating toner, moisturizer and sunscreen needs to be applied to the skin every time one goes out in the sun for a month post treatment.

Avoid full face make-up, i.e. liquid foundations or pressed powder foundations for 24 hours after a treatment.

Remember that most microdermabrasion procedures are repeated only after a gap of 2 weeks. This much time is always required for the repair process to fully take place. Speeding up the process and reducing the time between microdermabrasion session never helps the patient.

Risk due to inhalation of the crystals

A doctor in an article on Medscape, had pointed out for the first time that there could be possible harm from the inhalation of the aluminum in the Al2O3 crystals which are better known as Corundum powder.

A number of published studies have addressed issues regarding chronic aluminum exposure. Chronic exposure to aluminum oxide has been linked to pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia and papilomas.

But most of these reports are shrouded by controversy. There is no conclusive evidence to suggest adverse results of long term aluminum oxide exposure. Though elemental aluminum has been listed by WHO as a potentially harzardous dust, there is no specific reporting available for aluminum oxide.

Aluminum oxide has been used for many years as a dental abrasive and in joint replacements because of the hardness of its crystals and the crystals' sharp edges. Some have suggested that aluminum may play a role in the development of neuro-logical dysfunction or Alzheimer's disease. Aluminum is a nerve toxin, but aluminum oxide is an inert ceramic which is insoluble in water and is thus not able to enter the blood stream.

The particles of aluminum oxide are also quite heavy and quickly drop to the floor when sprayed in the air. It is possible that it could cause corneal abrasion if sprayed into patients' eyes, and long term inhalation could theoretically cause respiratory problems. But this can easily prevented if the operator wears a mask, and protection is provided to the patient's eyes.

Sometimes crystals of sodium chloride are also used for microdermabrasion, but they are used with positive pressure because negative pressure can causes clogging. The apparatus is also different in these cases. Fewer studies are available on sodium chloride crystal use as are available with aluminum oxide microdermbrasion, which provides satisfactory but mild results.

On the whole microdermabrasion is a safe procedure with little risk and few hazards associated with it. But proper care with the procedures of microdermabrasion can surely help to reduce them.

Best of luck with microdermabrasion!!

Care while preparing for microdermabrasion procedures; safety and precautions

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The technique is precisely performed by moving the hand piece along the skin surface, after a through cleansing of the skin is made, and effectively sand blasting the skin with crystals applied under pressure. The crystals and abraded skin is then removed by suction to maintain hygiene and avoid contamination. Although there are few risks associated with the microdermabrasion procedure for healthy and suitable candidates of microdermabrasion; care needs to be taken with the machines that are used for the microdermabrasion treatment. They need to be kept in good working order and they need to be hygienically cleaned after each procedure. Care needs to be taken when medical grade machines are used at high power for the microdermabrasion treatment as then they carry the potential risk of causing significant damage to the skin including promoting hyperpigmentation, perforation, bleeding, and infection. Risk of Infection There is some risk of infection with microdermabrasion particularly if the machines are not sterile. Some cross-contamination is likely to be present if proper care with the machines is not taken. The machines need to be thoroughly cleaned after each procedure and some parts need to be sterilized. Often the piece of the machine applied to the skin can be sterilized or sometimes it is made of plastic and can be disposed of after each use. Bloody material can be found on the handpiece after performing microdermabrasion on a patient with acne scaring. So it is not sufficient to sterilize the distal cap of the handpiece or to use disposable caps. It is suggested that the whole handpiece itself must be sterilized to prevent the transmission of infectious particles to a subsequent patient receiving microdermabrasion. Because of the safety to the patient and also to clinic staff, it is advisable that all the components of these microdermabrasion machines need to be sterilized, autoclaved or changed out. Care before and after the procedure Instructions of the cosmetic surgeon are to be followed strictly. Most physicians recommend no usage of Retinoid/Retinol or AHA 3 days before the treatment. Similarly the usage of Retinoid drugs needs to be avoided for at least 3 days after the surgery. Additionally, maintaining healthy skin through proper care, a healthy diet, and skin supplements is essential for good skin. Special care after the treatment Advanced healing products for home care can be used on recommendation from the clinic providing the microdermabrasion procedures. Proper hydration is essential for a good outcome, drinking plenty of fluids is beneficial. As the treated skin is more vulnerable to photo damage, exposure to sun should always be avoided for at least 7 days. A rehydrating toner, moisturizer and sunscreen needs to be applied to the skin every time one goes out in the sun for a month post treatment. Avoid full face make-up, i.e. liquid foundations or pressed powder foundations for 24 hours after a treatment. Remember that most microdermabrasion procedures are repeated only after a gap of 2 weeks. This much time is always required for the repair process to fully take place. Speeding up the process and reducing the time between microdermabrasion session never helps the patient. Risk due to inhalation of the crystals A doctor in an article on Medscape, had pointed out for the first time that there could be possible harm from the inhalation of the aluminum in the Al2O3 crystals which are better known as Corundum powder. A number of published studies have addressed issues regarding chronic aluminum exposure. Chronic exposure to aluminum oxide has been linked to pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia and papilomas. But most of these reports are shrouded by controversy. There is no conclusive evidence to suggest adverse results of long term aluminum oxide exposure. Though elemental aluminum has been listed by WHO as a potentially harzardous dust, there is no specific reporting available for aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide has been used for many years as a dental abrasive and in joint replacements because of the hardness of its crystals and the crystals' sharp edges. Some have suggested that aluminum may play a role in the development of neuro-logical dysfunction or Alzheimer's disease. Aluminum is a nerve toxin, but aluminum oxide is an inert ceramic which is insoluble in water and is thus not able to enter the blood stream. The particles of aluminum oxide are also quite heavy and quickly drop to the floor when sprayed in the air. It is possible that it could cause corneal abrasion if sprayed into patients' eyes, and long term inhalation could theoretically cause respiratory problems. But this can easily prevented if the operator wears a mask, and protection is provided to the patient's eyes. Sometimes crystals of sodium chloride are also used for microdermabrasion, but they are used with positive pressure because negative pressure can causes clogging. The apparatus is also different in these cases. Fewer studies are available on sodium chloride crystal use as are available with aluminum oxide microdermbrasion, which provides satisfactory but mild results. On the whole microdermabrasion is a safe procedure with little risk and few hazards associated with it. But proper care with the procedures of microdermabrasion can surely help to reduce them. Best of luck with microdermabrasion!!

Care while preparing for microdermabrasion procedures; safety and precautions