How To Recover After Facial Microdermabrasion

After my first facial microdermabrasion, my main concern was skin redness. The red marks on my face were not only unpleasing to look at but I was worried that they would leave some sort of permanent damage.

To my relief, the red skin returned to normal color after only a few hours, but I realized that my face is fragile and needs proper care after microabrasion. I developed a routine I follow religiously after all my micro dermabrasions and my face has always fully recovered.

What To Do After Face Microdermabrasion Treatment

First, it's important to remember that any skin resurfacing procedure is somewhat invasive (but so is the regular facial scrub you use at home) and your skin needs some time to recover. The top skin layers have just been removed and your face simply reacts back.

Facial redness after each abrasion is normal (the redness should fade in a few hours) and so is some itchiness and a mild sunburn sensation (which can last up to two days afterwards).

Basically, you only have to do these next 4 things to avoid complications and speed up your skin's recovery:

  1. Cleanse your face immediately after treatment with a wet cloth and rehydrating toner to remove any micro-crystal residue or dead skin cells left behind.
  2. Once the skin has dried completely, apply a rich moisturizer. Use moisturizer for 4-6 days after microderm abrasion to avoid excessive peeling.
  3. Don't forget to use sunscreen every time you go out (even if it's an overcast day) because micro dermabrasion increases photosensitivity.
  4. Avoid staying in the sun for 7 days after microdermabasion to prevent UV rays from damaging your skin (which slows down the recovery).

Facial redness and itchiness are mainly after-effects of clinic or spa microdermabrasion (the professional treatment, I mean) while home rejuvenation kits are much more gentle. I use moisturizer and high SPF sunscreen, however, after my home microderm regimen, too, because it helps the skin to recover quicker.

Facial Makeup After Micro Dermabrasion

There is an endless controversy about using makeup after microdermabrasion. Some doctors say you can use some mild make-up to cover the skin redness on your face, while others tell you to avoid using any type of liquid or powder foundation (or any other type of cover up, for that matter) for the first 2-3 days after micro dermabrasion.

I usually stay on the safe side and only use eye makeup and lipstick (which are allowed) after my microdermabrasions. It's a good compromise (any red marks usually fade after a few hours anyway).

What Is Best To Apply On Your Face After Micro Abrasion?

Some creams, gels and ointments can help relieve the tenderness or the burning sensation you get after microderm abrasion.

I personally use thermal water-absorbing cloths to calm any itchiness.

What To Avoid After Micro Dermabrasion Facials?

I usually avoid any exfoliation or shaving after facial or body microderm abrasions:

Persistent Skin Redness After Dermabrasion - What To Do?

Normally, the red skin takes a few hours to return to normal after microdermabrasion. If it doesn't, give it a day to calm down. If the redness persists, see your dermatologist. If you notice any infection, long-lasting swelling, pain or color changes, see your doctor immediately.

Next, a few tips on how to use home micro dermabrasion kits to maintain the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How Can Micro Dermabrasion Make Red Marks Fade?

A: By removing the top layer of the skin, self microderm abrasion diminishes or even removes superficial red marks. Deeper red marks require a more invasive procedure, like a deep chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing.

Q: Does Microdermabration Make A Difference For Men?

A: Men can have microdermibrasion just as women can. The procedure and results are the same, there are no side effects or risks. The procedure and results are the same, there are no side effects or risks.

Q: How Are Microdermabrasion And Glycolic Acid Different?

A: Glycolic acid is used as a light chemical peel. It removes the uppermost layer of skin. Light chemical peels and microdermibration are both non-invasive procedures that can also be performed at-home with special consumer kits. Neither has any major risks or side-effects and both have limited effectiveness. They can help diminish or even remove superficial scarring and wrinkles, age spots, stretch marks and uneven skin texture. For deeper skin imperfections, you may need a more invasive procedure.

Q: Can Microderm Abrasion Cause Wrinkles?

A: No, microdermibrasion cannot cause wrinkles.

Q: How Good Is Microbrasion On The Feet?

A: Over The Counter micro derm abrasion sets can be used on your feet as long as it's especially formulated as a body microdemabrasion system. Using a face microdermal abrasion product on your feet will not have the desired effect because it's much too mild to have a significant effect on your feet. Beauty Salon microbrasion is not suitable for use on the feet because the skin is too thin in that area. However, having microabrasions on your heels should work but better ask your doctor first.

Q: How Can Micro Abrasion Make Blotchy Skin Fade?

A: This procedure exfoliates the top layer of skin which consists of dead skin cells. Microabrasion cream stimulates collagen production, essential to healthy skin and also removes blotchy skin texture and tone.

Q: Is Micro Dermabrasion Dangerous While Pregnant?

A: We recommend that you wait until you deliver your baby and finish the nursing period before microdermabration Your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy and nursing and microdermabration kits may cause irritation or severe scarring. This procedure is also not recommended for pregnant and nursing women because hormonal changes during this period may reduce the effectiveness of the procedure.

Q: Do People Like Microdermabrasion?

A: Yes, most women who have tried microdermoabrasion and shared their experience online say that the procedure successfully diminished or in some cases even removed superficial aging signs like line and age spots, reduced the number of mild acne episodes and made skin look younger and feel smoother. There are of course women who say that Microdem abrasion either damaged their skin, causing irritation and dryness, or had no effect whatsoever. The way your skin reacts to microderma abrasion is a very personal thing and you have to try it for yourself to see if it's effective or not.

Q: How Can Micro Dermabration Help Improve Irregular Pigmentation?

A: Microdemabrasion tool is effective on uneven pigmentation The micro-crystal flow abrades the top layer of the skin where unevenly pigmented skin cells are stuck. Several dermatologist-performed micro dermabration sessions are required to even out skin tone and get rid of irregular pigmentation.

Q: What Does Microdermbrasion Do For The Face?

A: By resurfacing the top layer of the skin, personal microdermabrasian does help your skin. It can help fight mild acne, acne scarring, clogged and enlarged pores, age and sun spots, stretch marks, freckles, and fine lines, tired and dull skin. More severe skin imperfections require more invasive procedures like laser or chemical peeling. Do-It-Yourself microderma is also not as effective as clinic microdermbrasion.