Question: My sister recently had a microdermabrasion treatment which caused her face to look red, blotchy, and dry. Are these side effects common in patients?

Answer: Most patients that get a microdermabrasion have a very subtle pinkness to their skin and otherwise have a very refreshed glow, but certainly no red blotches or significant dryness. I question whether the microdermabrasion may have been performed too deeply and caused irritation to the skin or your sister may have had a skin condition that was unrecognized that created more blotchiness due to the irritation of the microdermabrasion. It is obviously very important to seek out someone well trained in microdermabrasion with the vast experience treating various skin types so that some of these issues do not occur.

Question: I am planning on getting microdermabrasion and was wondering if there is any special aftercare that I should be aware of, like special creams or lotions that I need to put on or if I need to stay out of the sun for a period of time.

Answer: Most patients that undergo a microdermabrasion really do not have to alter their routine of daily living, other than to be careful with some of the skin care products that they may be on since they can penetrate better after microdermabrasion. So, if patients are on Retin-A or hydroquinone, or both, I recommend much smaller amounts than usual the first few days after a microdermabrasion. Otherwise, all patients should always be careful with the sun and we always recommend a sun block daily.

Question: Maybe because of the “micro” in microdermabrasion this procedure seems like it would be less affective than other procedures like laser resurfacing or chemical peels. Is this true, what is it affective in treating?

Answer: Microdermabrasion is just one form of exfoliation of the superficial layer of the skin. Microdermabrasion is essentially a mechanical exfoliation, whereas a laser literally vaporizes the superficial layer of the skin and a chemical peel will make the superficial layer of the skin peel. But in essence, they all perform the same function and can all have the same efficacy depending on the depth that the treatment is performed. Now, there are certainly limitations on what microdermabrasion can achieve, but it is simple, virtually risk free, and can definitely enhance the effectiveness of other products that are placed on the skin. It also gives the skin a nice glow and I definitely recommend that patients consider having regular microdermabrasions. Lasers can cause some heat buildup in the tissue, which can be a good thing since this will create some new collagen deposition. Lasers can also be used very aggressively to create significant wrinkle reduction as can chemical peels. Ultimately, it is very important that you seek out a well-qualified professional who can give you various options so that a customized treatment plan can be created for your specific desires.