Have all those years you spent in the sun caused you regret when you look in the mirror and see deep creases and wrinkles? Still bothered by some of those acne scars from your youth? If so, perhaps you should consider a relatively painless cosmetic procedure called microdermabrasion.

Also known as an “instant facelift,” microdermabrasion is a relatively new procedure performed on those who want to take years off their face. It is a skin resurfacing procedure used to remove the dead skin layer, or layers, closest to the surface. While regular dermabrasion removes deeper scars or wrinkles, and works on a deeper level of the skin, microdermabrasion treats superficial scars and fine lines caused by sun or aging, and has a quick recovery period. It’s less invasive than some cosmetic procedures and may be an effective alternative to Botox or chemical peels. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it was less popular than Botox or chemical peels in 2006, but it was one of the top five minimally invasive procedures performed.

Skin Layers

Your skin is made up of two main layers called the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the topmost layer, and is made up of layers of dead skin cells, one layer after another. The very top layer is called the stratum corneum. This acts as a barrier between the elements, such as sun and wind, and the lower skin layers of skin in different stages of maturity. The stratum corneum also keeps skin lotion and creams from completely penetrating, so not all the moisture in those products is used by your skin. This is the layer of skin where wrinkle lines and blemishes are formed, and also the layer where microdermabrasion works. Procedure Using a hand-held unit, the doctor carefully scrapes the skin of your face. The machine uses a high-pressure flow of tiny crystals, made of aluminum oxide, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium chloride, and uses suction to collect and dispose of the dead cells and used crystals.

By removing the top layer of cells and the ones moving upward behind them, the lowest layer of the epidermis is stimulated to produce more new cells. Because the stratum corneum and some moisture is removed, moisturizing cream is applied to add moisture back to the new layers where it will be most beneficial.

The only side effects may be some minor redness and swelling that lasts no more than a couple of days. You can go back to your normal activities as soon as the session is over. Each treatment takes 30 minutes with future treatments spaced every three weeks. The number of treatments varies depending on how your skin looks.

Microdermabrasion works to reduce: • fine wrinkles • acne scars • crow's feet • age spots

If you are interested in making your skin look younger, but you don’t want Botox, chemical peels, or other skin enhancing procedures, and you are in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact experienced cosmetic surgeon, Dr. John Rusca to discuss how microdermabrasion treatments can work for you.