Microneedling vs Microdermabrasion: What's the Difference?
Medical facials are very popular treatments. They’re typically less invasive than laser, fractional resurfacing treatments and surgery, and offer minimal downtime. The lower price tag and effectiveness of these procedures has made them hugely popular, but how do you choose which one to go for?
Many of these facials sounds similar; even their names are almost identical, which can make selection quite confusing for clients. below I explain the difference between collagen stimulating treatments like microneedling and skin exfoliation treatments like microdermabrasion.
MICRONEEDLING
Medical skin needling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a procedure that involves puncturing the skin with tiny needles (microneedling) to induce collagen production. Microneedling creates controlled, non-thermal micro-injury underneath the skins surface, which induces the body to create new blood vessels, elastin & collagen. Microneedling reaches the skin below the surface and the micro-injury produced by the needles results in new skin. There are a few days of redness, flaking and dryness afterwards, and the full effect is seen around 3 weeks post-treatment. Typically a series of treatments is required although many patients report a noticeable improvement after one session. Many different serums can be applied during treatment to enhance results.
SKIN CONCERNS THAT BENEFIT FROM MICRONEEDLING:
ACNE & ACNE SCARS
ROSACEA
STRETCH MARKS & SCARS
WRINKLES & FINE LINES
ENLARGED PORES
UNEVEN SKIN TEXTURE
AGING SKIN
MICRODERMABRASION
Microdermabrasion treatments target the skins surface using an gentle ablative material such as diamond or sodium bicarbonate crystals to scrub off dead skin cells while simultaneously suctioning the debris away. Newer technologies use an even gentler approach; hydradermabrasion, also known as the HydraFacial removes dead skin cells, extracts impurities, cleanses and hydrates the skin using a specialized solution and vortex technology. Microdermabrasion exfoliates the skins surface resulting in a smoother, clearer complexion. There is minimal downtime with these facials, you can have one at lunch and be back in the office right afterwards. Results can be seen after one treatment but regular treatments are required to maintain results. Serums are often applied during this facial to enhance results.
SKIN CONCERNS THAT BENEFIT FROM MICRODERMABRASION:
DULL OR DRY SKIN
OILY & CONGESTED SKIN
AGE SPOTS & HYPERPIGMENTATION
FINE LINES
UNEVEN SKIN TONE & TEXTURE
CONCLUSION: COMBINATION THERAPY CAN BE BENEFICIAL
Most patients I see benefit from having both types of treatment. Typically my patients have between 3-4 microneedling sessions per year, and in between these are having microdermabrasion facials. Before having any aesthetic treatment performed however, you should book a skin consultation to learn more about the health of your skin and what specific treatments would target your skin concerns and overall skin health goals.
In Health,
Dr. Alaina Overton, ND
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