Diamond Microdermabrasion. What is it? Who should get it? Post care and contraindications.

Diamond microdermabrasion is a machine-based exfoliation treatment that uses a diamond-tip applicator wand to gently polish dead skin cells from the skins surface. It can be used to diminish the following conditions:

✨sun damage

✨pigmentation

✨open and closed comedones

✨fine lines and wrinkles

✨enlarged pores

✨coarsely textured skin

In addition to the typical benefits of exfoliation, the vacuum mechanism stimulates cell metabolism and blood flow.

The treatment is a quick 30 min service that can be done alone or as part of a facial and it pairs well with an LED treatment.

This treatment is not recommended for sensitive or couperous skin, rosacea, or for those predisposed to pigmentation problems

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Because microdermabrasion can be somewhat drying to the skin, it is usually followed by a hydrating and nourishing gel mask or sheet mask.

When to use microdermabrasion

Those who cannot tolerate acids may be candidates for microdermabrasion.

While microdermabrasion does exfoliate the epidermis effectively as well as stimulate cell metabolism and circulation, the benefits of the acids are not achieved with this treatment.

Microdermabrasion can definitely be thought of as a more effective tool for surface exfoliation and AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) are more effective below the surface.

Using both peels and microdermabrasion in a treatment series is a common practice.

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Contraindications and Precautions for Microdermabrasion

✨Recent cosmetic surgeries, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, or dermabrasion

✨ Recent injectables, fillers, or Botox

✨ Use of Retin-A, or other medications that exfoliate or thin the skin

✨ Allergies or sensitivities to products or ingredients

✨ Pregnancy (some healthcare providers may clear clients for service)

✨ Actives herpes simplex outbreak

✨ Hyperpigmentation tendencies

✨ Inflamed rosacea or acne

✨ Infectious diseases

✨ Open sores or suspicious lesions

✨ Sunburn or irritated skin

✨ Fragile skin, couperose skin

✨ Photosensitizing medications (makes skin sensitive to sun)

✨ Other contraindicated drugs or medications

To prevent skin damage, avoid sun exposure, excessive sweating, and exfoliating or glycolic acid products for at least 24-48 hours before or after any deep exfoliation procedure.

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Best practices and safety considerations for microdermabrasion

✨ Before receiving this treatment it is suggested to book a consultation with your esthetician. During the consultation you and the esthetician will discuss the procedures, the expected outcomes, and realistic goals.

✨ If you are not willing to take precautions to avoid inadvertent sun exposure during your daily activities before and after receiving the service, this treatment may not be for you.

✨ It is preferred that clients begin a home care regimen to prepare the skin for microdermabrasion, however not everyone is willing to commit. Pretreating assists in providing optimal outcomes because you are beginning the plan with a more acclimated and prepared surface.

✨ A home care plan should include, at minimum, a cleaner, retinol and/or AHA cream, vitamin C, and a product with SPF 30. Other products can be added in according to the issues that you are targeting such as skin lightening products in the case of pigmentation issues.

✨ The esthetician's goal when providing this treatment is to assist in restoring the skin to optimal functioning capacity, and not performing any home maintenance will be similar to taking two steps forward and one step back.

✨ Treatment plans generally being with a series of treatments to jump-start progress. A series can consist of anywhere between four to eight microdermabrasion treatments administered once a week over a six to eight week period. The number of treatments can change based on the progress your skin is making. Once you reach your goal you will move to the maintenance phase.

✨ During the maintenance phase, you maintain the results by having a monthly microdermabrasion or another form of deep exfoliation.

✨ Please remember that your care plan will customized for you and based of your skin care goals and concerns. The treatment schedule will depend on your skins tolerance to the procedure as well.

✨ It is always a good idea to document your progress with photos

Works Cited

“Discuss the Benefits of Microdermabrasion by Type of Device.” MILADY STANDARD ESTHETICS Fundamentals, by MILADY, MILADY PUB CORP, 2019, pp. 655–660.