Is Microdermabrasion Safe?
Microdermabrasion is generally considered by most to be a perfectly safe skin care treatment. However, as with any cosmetic procedure there is a small element of risk that should be considered before you start a course of treatments at your local salon or medical aesthetics clinic.
Possibly the most widely known risk to health that can be attributed to microdermabrasion is exposure to the crystals used in the machines. It has long been known that these crystals (usually a crystal form of aluminium oxide) produce a very fine dust which when inhaled can cause severe irritation in a few rare cases. The practitioner will, as a precautionary measure, take great care to reduce the risk of inhalation. Furthermore most microdermabrasion machines suck up the dusts created during the procedure. Many new machines are crystal free and therefore no longer use crystals.
Although there are very few minor risks associated with microdermabrasion you will find that most quality clinics/salons will offer a full consultation prior to the course of treatments. During this consultation the consultant will examine your skin for suitability and explain the likely results from a course of around 10 monthly or bimonthly appointments. He/she will also explain to you all of the risks and also the pro's and con's of microdermabrasion to give you a greater understanding. If you have any concerns these must be raised at the consultation as there are some types of skin considered unsuitable.
Sometimes, as in the case of microdermabrasion for acne, certain areas of the skin may not be suitable for treatment. Any areas of active acne, Rosacea or weeping acne should be avoided completely but this does not mean that you should not have a treatment. It is actually the contrary that you should consider as microdermabrasion is widely accepted as one of the most effectual cures for acne available today. In such cases the consultant will treat those areas of the skin unaffected by the acne. This skin will then have all the benefits of microdermabrasion and, therefore, a vastly reduced risk of acne breaking out in that area. By continual treatment of non-active areas of the skin the areas of active acne can be drastically reduced until such time that there is no active acne. At this stage the use of microdermabrasion for reduction of acne scarring should be considered.
Personally I have found, to my horror, that I am not a suitable candidate for a course of microdermabrasion due to a small number of facts that would increase the risk of damage to my health. Firstly I have a depressed immune system, anybody suffering from an auto-immune system disorder is considered unsuitable for the procedure. Secondly I use Re tin A regularly to keep my adult acne under control. If you regularly use Re tin A or have recently had a chemical peel you should inform the consultant at the earliest opportunity as it would be better for you to wait a while before proceeding.
In a paper published in 1999 in the Endoscope Journal a couple of other suggestions were made as to when microdermabrasion should be considered unsuitable. Amongst these were those mentioned above but also a couple of others such as people who suffer from unstable diabetes or who have had recent outbreaks of herpes,. the later being the more understandable but, if you suffer from diabetes, you should make your consultant know before proceeding. You may also consider talking with your family doctor as he/she will know you far better than the consultant and your doctor will have full access to your complete medical record. In the case of microdermabrasion for acne your doctor may suggest you try other treatments first. My family have all benefited from a short course of anti-biotic's to stop outbreaks dead in only a couple of days but they are not suitable for everyone.
Any lesions on your skin, especially if undiagnosed, would make you unsuitable for the treatment. Also, if you have warts, this too could be a factor in determining your suitability for micro-dermabrasion. In most cases the operator of the machine will work around such areas of the skin thus making you suitable but the area of skin not ;-)
Finally, if you have recently had laser hair removal or indeed any laser treatment you should bring this to the attention of the clinic/salon as you will, most certainly, be considered unsuitable. Only your consultant can inform you as to when you will be considered suitable as consultants have differing opinions and each of us have differing healing rates.
I think I have covered all aspect relating to the question "is microdermabrasion safe?" and, in summary, I think it is clear that it is one of the safest cosmetic surgery procedures (non-invasive) that are available to the patient although there are times when a person may be considered unsuitable.
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