Microdermabrasion is one of the easiest and most effective anti-ageing treatments you can get. It has so many benefits- it will soften fine lines and wrinkles; smooth out coarsely textured skin; decrease the appearance of pore size; reduce superficial hyperpigmentation and scarring, and leave you looking radiant.

Microdermabrasion also makes it easier for high-tech skin care products to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and helps build collagen, which gives skin its youthful appearance.

What exactly is Microdermabrasion?

Simply put, microdermabrasion works by causing a small amount of trauma to the skin, causing the skin to repair itself in a more organized fashion.

Bright, beautiful skin has a lot to do with skin cell turnover, which slows down considerably as we age, leaving us looking dull and a bit grey. Most anti-ageing treatments involves speeding up skin cell turnover; sloughing off the matte dead cells and helping to encourage the production of collagen, which plumps up the skin.

Microdermabrasion is a mechanical exfoliation method of doing this, and works by removing the uppermost layer of dead skin cells from the surface (or epidermis, the outer layer of the skin) of the face, chest and hands.

Dr. Fay uses a closed loop system, which sprays very fine crystals of aluminium oxide across the skin. The crystals are tiny but very hard- second only to diamond – and they remove the top layer of the skin. The machine vacuums the crystals and dead skin away without removing the machine from the skin, which avoids contamination.

Effects of Microdermabrasion on Appearance of Skin

Microdermabrasion needs a series of treatments for optimum results, although you’ll notice changes after the very first treatment, as skin looks much smoother and healthier.

Don’t worry if your skin seems dry and flaky initially- this is as a result of the disruption to the barrier function of the skin from the crystals. It’ll settle down and is much more hydrated after a few days, though you should use an SPF to protect it.

After a series of treatments oiliness is decreased, dilated pores are less pronounced, and fine lines are softened.

More ‘organised’ skin

Skin looks firmer as new cells are being produced more rapidly and the cells themselves are larger, and the cells in the lower layers of the epidermis are knit together in a more consistent “basket weave” configuration, instead of a haphazard arrangement.

The lower layer of the skin, the dermis is also greatly improved with microdermabrasion – chemical changes occur that cause the dermal layer to become thicker and more healthy after a series of treatments.

The number of collagen fibres are increased and they are thicker, more tightly packed, and more consistently organized, and the number of elastic fibres are also increased. They become organised vertically instead of horizontally giving the dermal layer more “spring”.

The number and size of fibroblasts, cells that make collagen, are increased. The combination of the vacuuming process and the crystals improves blood flow to the area, and patients see an obvious improvement in skin rejuvenation after their series of treatments.

To book your consultation or to find out more, call Cosmetic Doctor in Stillorgan, Co. Dublin –
Phone 01 685 3100.