It’s an unfair paradox that the best time of the year to be outside is the worst for your skin. Thankfully summer sun damage isn’t always permanent. Believe it or not, there are ways to “turn back the clock” and get your face glowing again. At Siti Med Spa in San Diego, we can help you get bright, clear skin with microdermabrasion.

What is microdermabrasion?

You might have heard of dermabrasion, in which a dermatologist or plastic surgeon “sands” your skin with a special instrument to make way for a new, smoother layer of skin to takes its place.

Microdermabrasion works much the same way, but uses tiny exfoliating crystals instead (typically aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate), which is much less abrasive than regular dermabrasion. The process works best on dull skin, brown spots, black heads, age spots, acne scars, enlarged pores, and even fine lines and wrinkles!

How does it work?

Because microdermabrasion is less aggressive than dermabrasion, you won’t need numbing medicine to anesthetize the area to be treated. Instead, you’ll just lie back and relax as the tiny crystals are sprayed onto your skin to gently remove the outer layer. Microdermabrasion is basically a high-tech exfoliation that leaves your skin rejuvenated, brighter and softer. 

Additionally, microdermabrasion helps to thicken your collagen, a protein in your skin that makes it appear taut and smooth. Collagen production declines as you age, giving you looser, uneven skin—and short of a time machine to return to your collagen-abundant youth, there aren’t many ways to reverse the process. Microdermabrasion might not be sci-fi magic, but thickening your collagen is the next best thing.

Who can use it?

Short answer: everyone! Although dermabrasion is generally only safe with fair skin—it can cause scarring or discoloration in darker skin—microdermabrasion works on all skin types and colors. However, it’s not effective for problems such as injury scars or deep acne scars, stretch marks, or deep wrinkles. There is also a slightly higher risk of bruising and abrasions for people over age 70.

Still, microdermabrasion is a great choice for people who are averse to anesthetics, or people with busy lifestyles who can’t afford a lot of downtime. The procedure has virtually no side effects (minor risk of eye irritation if your eyes aren’t protected), and while your skin may appear slightly pink afterward, it will fully recover within 24 hours.

What happens afterward?

During your mild recovery period, your skin may feel dry and tight (much like a sunburn or windburn), so use moisturizer liberally and avoid most makeup for at least 24 hours after the procedure. It’s also best to avoid sun exposure for 24 hours, but if you must be outside, be sure to use sunscreen with a high SPF. 

Want bright, smooth skin for summer? Call us!

At Siti Med Spa, we’re dedicated to helping you love the skin you’re in—so treat your skin to a treatment! Our professional medical staff will be happy to answer all your questions about microdermabrasion or any of our other services) and set you up with an appointment in time for that first summer shindig.