Achieving smooth skin texture has been an ongoing personal battle. Sometimes I stumble on a great combination of products that will brighten, exfoliate, plump, and do all of the things until eventually my skin gives it the side eye, gets bored and back to square one we go.
It’s like hitting a gym plateau, but for your skin routine. Strange right? I thought so too, until I met Saima Riaz. She is the founder of Freya MediSpa and my trusted medical aesthetician that mind you, read this article for factual accuracy. We’re in great hands here.
Saima’s helped me understand that as far as skincare is concerned, the best results come from using at-home products tailored to your needs, and supplementing with regular professional, spa-grade treatments. When the two practices merge, magic happens. Everyone’s routine is different, but the universal treatment recommendation for most skin types is microdermabrasion.
What Is It Exactly?
In short, microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure that uses manual exfoliation via diamond wand to remove dead skin cells, suck impurities from pores and ultimately smooth skin texture over time. It is suitable for most skin types, which is why I’m so confident in recommending it. Overall, it’s the perfect procedure to introduce when you feel “stuck” in your routine. The biggest benefit of microdermabrasion is that it boosts new skin cell and collagen production — the two must-haves for improving elasticity, combating dullness and leaving your skin refreshingly smooth.
Consider Microdermabrasion If:
- Your pores are clogged, and you often have blackheads and/or whiteheads – my personal problem area
- You have sun damage, acne scars, uneven skin tone or fine lines
- You want to brighten your skin and have a healthy glow
- You want to maintain a healthy, clear complexion
Does Microdermabrasion Hurt?
I get this question a lot. Sensitivity can vary from person-to-person. There is no need for numbing creams, feel free to leave the painkillers at home. It’s an odd texture to feel on your skin, but to be honest, after two years of regular maintenance, I barely notice it.
Downtime & Healing Process.
After the procedure, expect a bit of redness. I’d say let, your face breathe with no makeup for the first 24 hours. I usually feel comfortable leaving the house post-treatment the next day. Be ready to experience tightness, dryness and even a minor breakout in the first few days. Don’t panic and be patient — I can’t stress this enough. Microdermabrasion stimulates skin cell renewal and sucks out impurities that would be otherwise dormant inside your pores. Believe it or not, the breakouts are a good sign that the treatment is working. It means that the decongestion and purging process is in full swing. Having said that, some people never experience any breakouts.
Because of the potential breakout, I would discourage you from getting the procedure done for the first time ahead of a big day. If you’re looking to whip your skin into shape for an event, say a wedding, start the process at least six months in advance. That gives you ample time to shock, heal and rejuvenate the skin before your face is the center of attention.
Other Post Treatment Tips:
To maximize microdermabrasion recovery time and results, it is important to follow all post-procedure instructions below:
- Keep the new skin clean and moisturized
- Use a gentle cleanser
- Trauma such as scratching or picking the treated area should be avoided.
- Avoid staying in the sun for at least 7 days after the microdermabrasion treatment to prevent UV rays from damaging your skin which slows down recovery
- If you absolutely cannot avoid sun exposure, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Do not use glycolic, alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, retinol, benzyl peroxide or topical acne medications for 24-48 hours following treatment.
- You may resume prescription retinoid products (Retin A, Renova, Tretinoin, Avita, Alustra or other brands of Tretinoin and other prescription retinoid products (Adapalene, Avage, Differin, Tazorac, Tazarotene) 3 to 7 days after last microdermabrasion/Peel treatment or as instructed by your technician. If you are receiving a series of treatments, do not resume any of these products until after you have completed your last medical microdermabrasion
Is It Worth the Money?
One of the biggest barriers to regular, monthly upkeep with any professional treatment is, you guessed it: money honey. A facial, or in this case, microdermabrasion with a facial often feels like an unnecessary splurge. Here’s why it’s worth it in my opinion:
A benefit of microdermabrasion treatment is that it helps increase product absorption. The procedure works in two parts: the diamond wand of the machine gently exfoliates, and the mini vacuum sucks impurities away. Removing the dead skin allows your at-home products to penetrate deeper, making them more effective. If you’re already spending on quality products with great ingredients, think of microdermabrasion as an all-access backstage pass that allows easy entry and enhances the at-home care experience. In the end, you get better results and more bang for your buck.
Be Patient.
On a parting note, I want to tell you this: I test out skin products and treatments for a living and still don’t have the perfect complexion. Being intentional with the products you use and tailoring your routine according to your skin type is key. Please remember that in life and skin habits, good things take time. Patience, persistence, and consistency with your regime will give you the best results.
Fareeha
Started going to Freya after you started sharing your treatment and stories with Saima. I have now been going in regularly for over a year now for monthly micros, laser treatments and the spontaneous deep pore and peels to really kick start my skin renewal every few months. Don’t regret it at all and found it wasn’t as costly to comitt and invest initially and just upkeep with small treatments every once in a while.
Nancy
Thank you for sharing the information.
I have stubborn black and white heads that I can’t seem to clear! I have been researching all different skin cleansers – maybe microdermabrasion is the way to go!
Sam
This is so informative! I have finally gotten my breakouts under control, but find it hard to find an at home solution for scarring. Maybe it is time to explore a treatment like this!
Julie
I can feeeeel my face begging for this treatment! This FT working momma struggles with prioritizing my skincare and unfortunately it shows. I’ve had a mini microdermabrasion session once in the past and it was like my face could finally breathe! There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing your pores are *truly* clean, and it’s obvious that Freya knows what they’re doing for gentle, effective care.
Julie
I can feeeeel my face begging for this treatment! This FT working momma struggles with prioritizing my skincare and unfortunately it shows. I’ve had a mini microdermabrasion session once in the past and it was like my face could finally breathe! There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing your pores are *truly* clean, and it’s obvious that Freya knows what they’re doing for gentle, effective care.