Many people in Minnesota wonder what a microdermabrasion is and some are even a little apprehensive of the treatment. They fear that it will be painful and leave them with red irritated skin. In reality this treatment is a great way to refresh and rejuvenate the skin without Chemical peels , laser resurfacing or surgery. It is a minimally abrasive treatment that feels like a light scratching. The tip, made from diamond chips, will take off the outer most layers of dead skin cells, the stratum corneum, revealing the fresher skin below. It’s great for someone in the Minneapolis and St. Paul just beginning to take care of their skin.

The tip also has a vacuum attached which helps to take away the dead skin cells and will also stimulate circulation of blood to the cells which gives it a nice healthy glow. It also helps to stimulate the protein called collagen. We need collagen to keep our skin firm. As we age and our collagen decreases, we notice that our skin is losing elasticity and is starting to appear a little loose or saggy. Not only is the face treated but other parts of the body can be treated such as, the neck, décolletage and hands.

Microdermabrasion is great for treating mild skin conditions such as; light scarring, brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles. It is recommended to get a treatment at least every 1-2 weeks when treating mild skin conditions and every month to maintain healthy skin. A pharmaceutical skin care line, which works on the cellular level, is recommended to work with the treatments and to help maintain results in between treatments. There is no downtime with microdermabrasion . There may be some slight redness or pinkness to the skin due to the circulation being stimulated but that usually goes away within 30 to 60 minutes. After the treatment the skin will feel smoother and tighter and have a youthful glow.

Sonya Stelmachuk-Shu Cosmetic Surgery, Edina, MN

Even though the word microdermabrasion is pretty mainstream by now not everyone in Minnesota knows what it means.  Microdermabrasion usually improves skin texture, the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, freckling, dry spots, and pore size in a gentle way. Some people in Minneapolis and St Paul areas don’t take advantage of these great treatments because they have never had a skin care treatment before and are not sure what it involves.  They fear that they will be very red and that it will feel painful during and after. That is not the case.

A Microdermabrasion is a step up from a facial and is a relaxing treatment that gently polishes the skin. After cleansing the skin, I use a diamond tip wand attached to a small vacuum hose. The diamond tip wand loosens up the top most layers of dead skin. The suction of the vacuum takes away the dead skin cells, helps to increase circulation and bring nutrients to the skin.  I then put on a mask for 5-10 minutes and do either a hand and arm massage or a neck and shoulder massage followed by a moisturizer for the client’s skin type.  The skin will feel very soft and smooth after the treatment and it will have a youthful glow. It is a great treatment to get before an event where you want to look your best. It is recommended that this treatment be done once a month to maintain healthy skin.