Microdermabrasion treatments accomplish what no other non-surgical procedure can do in combating the signs of aging and sun-damaged skin. It is a safe, nonsurgical, comprehensive, and progressive approach to skin rejuvenation.
How does Microdermabrasion work?
Microdermabrasion skin treatments exfoliate the skin, through a mechanical process. The Microdermabrasion uses three specially designed, state-of-the-art subsystems: a vacuum system, a compressor and a patented hand piece with tubing interlink system. The system's hand piece projects micro crystals onto the skin's surface in what we call a "sandblasting" type of technique and then pulls the crystals back up into an adjoining waste canister along with any expunged skin cells. Generally you may require more than one treatment which is discussed during a complimentary consultation with a trained member of staff.
What kind of results can I expect?
Usually you will notice an immediate improvement in your skin's texture and appearance. Patients report that their skin looks softer, smoother and younger looking.
Can I go to work afterwards?
Yes, most patients experience only minor flushing and there is no anaesthesia required. We do ask that you refrain from using make-up on the day of your treatment to give the skin a chance to breath and regenerate itself. Exercise is not recommended for 24 hours post procedure as perspiration contains salt which can cause a stinging sensation.
How soon will I see the results?
After your first treatment your skin will have a fresh, pink glow to it. Improvement will continue throughout the treatment program. The number of treatments to achieve maximum results ranges from two to twelve treatments depending on the type of skin problem. The results are amazing especially for improvement in cystic acne.
How often can I receive treatments?
A course of Microdermabrasion is recommended i.e. One treatment every week for six weeks. This is followed by a maintenance program, whereby a treatment is recommended every 4-6 weeks.
How long are the treatments?
Treatments usually take about 40 minutes depending on the size and depth of the affected area. The Environ Vitamin A infusion and soothing masques are also available for those clients that are suitable. We also offer a Delux Microdermabrasion which takes one hour.
What are the benefits of Microdermabrasion over other procedures?
Microdermabrasion takes less time to do, there is little discomfort and recovery time is relatively quick with no disruption to normal activities. Microdermabrasion is suitable for all skin types. It is a Chemical free treatment.
Who are the best candidates for Microdermabrasion treatments?
The best candidates are men and women who have good skin tone, good health, and realistic expectations. Including pregnant women.
What products should I be using?
The right products for your skin are essential otherwise you could be reversing the good we are doing for you through Microdermabrasion. We highly recommend that you follow the program that we advise, results are more significant for those clients that follow the program. We recommend both AHA and Vitamin C serums, which further help to keep skin surface clear.
Microdermabrasion & The Skin
Anti-aging products are so advanced, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the skin.
The skin has 3 basic levels, The first level, the epidermis has 6 layers. Along with melanocytes, the cells that add pigment to our skin, the basal or deepest layer of the epidermis, is responsible for cell division. It takes about 28 days for the new cells to make the journey to the surface.
As we age, this surface layer of dead skin cells becomes hard and compacted. The new skin cells actually only reach the bottom of this hard upper crust of 20-30 layers that increases in depth with age. This is the "stratum corneum", also called the "horny layer". This hard layer can only be removed by microdermabrasion, ultrasound, chemicals, laser, or by surgical blade.
The basis of a chemical peel, and microdermabrasion is the creation of what the skin sees as trauma. The result is a wound-healing response, which causes tissue regeneration and an improved skin appearance.
Chemical peels performed by estheticians are directed at layers within the epidermis. Microdermabrasion creams are the only method safe for home use, and for all skin types.
The epidermis also contains cells called "keratinocytes" that produce keratin, a water insoluble protein that hardens structures. The hardened cells, or "corneocytes" make-up 75% of the epidermis, and give the "stratum corneum" its name.
When this hard layer is removed on a regular basis younger cells flood to surface, and ingredients are delivered to deeper tissues. Most skin care products affect the epidermis alone.
Physicians alone can perform chemical peels to the epidermal-dermal junction and below. Aging of the skin, although visible from the epidermis, happens here.
This is the land of anti-aging product impact. All toning, or firming with lasting results occurs in the dermal layer.
This photo shows two cross-sections of skin. Photo A is the before photo. The large, white dead compacted layers of the "stratum corneum or horny layer" of the epidermis are visible sitting on top of the thin dark line of the basal layer of the epidermis where cell division occurs.
The papillary dermis is the deeper colored section with projections in Photo A. Made of millions of cells of connective tissue the dermis contains, macrophages, Merkel cells, Langerhans cells, mast cells, blood vessels, sebaceous glands, hair shafts and roots, hormone receptors, sweat and sebaceous glands, lymph vessels, nerve endings, and fibroblasts that form elastin and collagen. The dermis supports and nourishes the epidermis. Together they work as a system and make up 90% of the skin mass.
Photo "A" shows the deeper purple middle level of the dermis. Photo "B" shows the results of dermal thickening due to increased collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin are complex proteins that hold and release water. They are responsible for the structure of the skin. Damage to collagen and elastin occurs from cell damage. The weak, fragile fibers no longer support the structure of the skin and the dermal layer collapses. The third layer of skin is the hypodermis and contains subcutaneous tissue, lymph ducts and blood vessels. It acts as a protection from trauma and insulates the body. If you impact the epidermis, you impact the dermis.
Microdermabrasion always uses Corundum Crystal (Alumina), or by its chemical name, Aluminum Oxide (ALO2). Aluminum Oxide is the chemical name for the sapphire. When it contains Chromium, it is a ruby. When properly mined, and fused at high temperatures of over 2000"C ALO2 is an inert, insoluble compound succeeded in hardness on the Mohs scale only by the diamond. Not all Corundum Crystal is the same. Many products on the market use a laboratory synthesized Corundum made from Bauxite, a hydrous ALO2, and the principal ore of Aluminum. Bauxite has high levels of impurities and is too soft to impact the epidermis. NaturDermTM uses only medical-grade alpha fused pure Corundum Crystal (Alumina). The alpha Alumina, the natural form, has a blocky, hexagonal shape as seen in the photo below. Gamma Alumina is a cubic crystal that can become an alpha alumina when exposed to high heat. Although alpha Alumina is very fine, the natural blocky, hexagonal edges are sharp, and hightly effective at debridement. In the US, Corundum Crystal is in use as a new method of removing superficial dental caries. According to Richard Wachsman, a physicist from MIT, all crystals contain inclusion pockets. These pockets contain molecules of hydrogen and oxygen. When these crystals are applied to the skin in a product, they create a magnetic state with the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in the water on the skin. This creates a vibration, which flattens the skin. The dead skin is "attached" through this molecular force to the crystals. Microdermabrasion removes the surface layers of skin. Sebaceous glands deep within the dermis secrete an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is the natural moisturizer of the skin, and is usually deposited on the inside of hair follicles, where it is brought to the surface of the skin. Dead skin cells can mix with sebum and become impacted deep in the pores. Microdermabrasion not only removes the dead skin cells and surface debris, it catches the impacted debris and over time it is brought to the surface. You can see this process happen on your skin. Many skin conditions, like acne and rosacea, are related to skin health. Removal of this debris also allows for the deeper penetration of ingredients. Some plastic surgeons report absorption of ingredients can be increased by 50%, if a product is applied after microdermabrasion.
As cells migrate and die, the "horny layer" of the epidermis thickens and pressure builds making the dermal layer more susceptible to congestion and toxic build-up. The visible results are seen on the face as puffy, sagging skin, wrinkles and jowls. NaturDermTM is the first company to utilize mini-microdermabrasion as a tool for skin health, providing a powerful one- two punch, to transform puffy, wrinkled, sagging skin into sleek, glowy, firm youthful skin.