QUESTION: Microdermabrasion vs Glycolic Peel

liz summers
If you’re interested in rejuvenating your skin, you might be wondering about the differences between microdermabrasion and glycolic peels.  Both treatments will resurface and exfoliate the skin by removing the superficial outer layer.  However, microdermabrasion and glycolic peels involve a different means of attaining the desired results and are recommended for different skin types and conditions. What is microdermabrasion?  This treatment involves spraying fine crystals onto the surface of the skin in order to remove the outermost dead skin cells.  Microdermabrasion aims to improve superficial skin imperfections. This includes age spots, fine lines, mild acne scars, sun damage, and fine wrinkling around the eyes, mild acne scars, age spots or sun spots, enlarged or visible pores, and fine lines.  Because microdermabrasion is a simple resurfacing of the top layer of the skin, it is not recommended for deep wrinkles, moderate to severe scars, or pigmentary problems.  Microdermabrasion treatment offers an added benefit in that it stimulates collagen and elastin production in the skin, creating a more vibrant appearance. For clients in search of a simple skin-rejuvenating procedure with few side effects and minimal recovery time, microdermabrasion may be an ideal choice.  Because surface skin cells are removed during the treatment, there is no peeling afterwards, and recovery time is minimal.  However, clients with more prominent skin imperfections may wish to consider a glycolic peel. A glycolic peel is a mild and effective skin peel that uses AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid).  The treatment involves applying a glycolic acid solution to the skin.  Glycolic acid breaks up the surface skin cells to exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin, uncovering newer skin cells over time.  A glycolic peel will address deeper skin conditions, such as acne, sun damage and wrinkling.  Glycolic peels offer the advantage of penetrating into the pores to dissolve acne plugs, and glycolic acid is able to both draw out old skin and draw moisturizers into the skin.  Recovery time is generally minimal. Professional Microdermabrasion results at home How do the treatment processes differ?  Microdermabrasion is painless and relatively quick –a facial treatment usually lasts about 30 minutes.  Microdermabrasion does require several treatments to achieve the desired appearance – 10-12 treatments may be necessary, along with sessions every six to eight weeks to maintain results.  A glycolic peel usually takes 10-15 minutes for the peel itself, depending on the strength of the solution and the skin’s level of adaptation to the treatment.  A series of treatments is recommended for optimal results, and treatments are delivered three to four weeks apart. Check out Skin Rx Clinic’s comprehensive offerings of glycolic peel options and microdermabrasion kits for home use.
Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

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Home Microdermabrasion vs. Professional Microdermabrasion Treatments

Tiffany Holley
Microdermabrasion is a type of treatment for the skin in which tiny crystals are applied to the skin to remove the top layer by “sanding” or “polishing”. The microdermabrasion crystals work to remove the dead surface layer of skin cells to uncover a healthier layer of skin underneath. Personal microdermabrasion treatments work to stimulate the layers of skin underneath that dead outer layer to increase the production of elastin and collagen. This helps defy the aging process by providing a younger, healthier, and even firmer appearance. Home microdermabrasion is becoming more and more popular due to its low cost and convenience in comparison to microdermabrasion treatments given by a dermatologist or other skin care professional. People who are looking to use a microdermabrasion kit tend to ask a lot of questions about the difference in results when it comes to home microdermabrasion vs. professional microdermabrasion treatments.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

Professional Microdermabrasion Treatments Professional microdermabrasion treatments administered by a dermatologist or esthetician uses a special machine which sprays aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin. Only licensed professionals are allowed to use microdermabrasion machines. Professional microdermabrasion treatments are somewhat costly and usually at least ten treatments are recommended for dramatic improvement. Another form of professional microdermabrasion known as “Diamond Microdermabrasion” does not use crystals but instead a wand with a diamond tip is rubbed against the skin. With both types of professional microdermabrasion treatments, dead skin cells are removed and immediately sucked away with a vacuum tool. Personal microdermabrasion kits systems are becoming a popular alternative to professional microdermabrasion treatments. Microdermabrasion kits are less expensive than professional treatments and are quite easy to perform on oneself. Though not as powerful as professional quality microdermabrasion machines, a home microdermabrasion kit will still produce professional quality results when used as directed. While many of the most popular skin care companies have introduced their own version of home microdermabrasion including Olay and Neutrogena, there are other brands which can produce a more spa like experience with professional results. Skin Rx offers a microdermabrasion kit, Microdermabrasion Peel Kit # 1, which contains a unique combination of microdermabrasion crystals and glycolic acid for a double peel effect to rejuvenate the skin giving professional results. A home microdermabrasion kit is easy to use. A microdermabrasion cream is applied to the face and with a special tool, it is massaged into the skin. Rinse, cleanse, and use a toner – and it’s done! It’s easy even for a beginner. The major differences between professional microdermabrasion treatments and a home microdermabrasion kit comes down to cost and technology. You may see results more quickly with professional microdermabrasion treatments but they are much more expensive than home microdermabrasion. If you use your home microdermabrasion kit as directed, you will see significant results with continued use that are comparable to professional microdermabrasion treatments offered in a spa or dermatologist office.

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Using Glycolic Acid While Pregnant

Tiffany Holley
A question that many women ask during pregnancy is whether or not glycolic acid is safe to use while pregnant. The simple answer is “yes”. If you want to use glycolic acid, pregnancy is a perfectly safe time to use it. Glycolic peels for pregnant women are a great choice for those suffering acne during pregnancy. Safe acne treatments during pregnancy are often researched due to the fact that anything which enters the mother’s body or skin could possibly affect the unborn baby as well. The great thing about glycolic acid products is that they contain naturally derived ingredients. Glycolic acid is an AHA, or Alpha-Hydroxy-Acid which are acids that occur naturally in fruits. It is also occurs naturally in the body when you ingest or eat certain fruits. Glycolic acid products at concentrations 10% or less are not able to penetrate the skin deep enough to reach the blood stream, so it is 100% safe for acne during pregnancy.  Even for higher concentrations of glycolic acid which can penetrate through the skin and possibly into the blood stream, it is said to be of no harm due to the fact that it’s an acid which is naturally occurring in the body anyway. Experienced estheticians and dermatologists continue to use professional strength glycolic acid products to improve the skin from acne related conditions and skin discolorations from pregnancy. Skin Rx Clinic offers several high quality glycolic acid products that are safe to use for acne during pregnancy. Try Glycolic Facial Polish which contains 10% glycolic acid, anti-oxidants, and vitamins to exfoliate and smooth the skin. To improve the overall texture and condition of the skin from acne and other blemishes, fine lines, large pores, and sun damage, try 15% Glycolic Smoothing Gel.

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How to Use a Home Microdermabrasion Kit

Tiffany Holley
Whether you are using home microdermabrasion as a follow-up to professional microdermabrasion treatments or because you can not afford the cost otherwise, you will need to know a few basic instructions before you get started. Using your personal microdermabrasion system properly is the best way to ensure the most significant results. Follow these steps, using Skin Rx’s Microdermabrasion Peel Kit #1. 1. Wash face with a mild cleanser such as Skin Rx’s Arnica Facial Wash. After washing, rinse your face clean and gently pat your face dry. Patting dry gently helps to keep your skin calm. It is important not to skip this step, as your face needs to be clean before you use microdermabrasion creams. 2. Apply Microdermabrasion Peel to your face with the rotating wand applicator tool. For best results, work in small sections for 3 to 4 minutes on each section. As you apply the Microdermabrasion Peel to your face, you will feel a soft, fine sand-like texture which is the Corundum Crystals. This key ingredient, along with 10% glycolic acid, work to peel away dull surface skin and age spots to give a rejuvenated and younger-looking appearance. As you use the product with the applicator wand, you will see small clumps forming and falling off. This is the used product absorbing the dead skin which is peeling away from your face. Home microdermabrasion is good for reducing fine lines, acne scars, and uneven texture. The process also helps to get rid of sun damage, age spots, brown spots, and other areas of hyperpigmentation.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

3. You can repeat Step 2 until you have covered your entire face. The home microdermabrasion kit can also be used on your neck and other areas of the body such as your hands. Because age spots or brown spots are a common occurrence on the hands, microdermabrasion treatments are an easy and effective way to remove them. 4. Rinse face thoroughly to remove the microdermabrasion cream and dead skin cells when have been sloughed off. To avoid any unnecessary irritation, it is extremely important to rinse away every bit of the product and not leave any on the skin. Pat your skin dry again. Your face will feel very refreshed and smooth after your microdermabrasion treatments. You should not experience any pain or discomfort at all but your face may feel a bit tingly for awhile. rinsing 5. The last step is to apply Soothing Serum. This product contains Hyaluronic Acid to provide superior moisture and Canadian Willow Herb and Vitamin K to soothe and calm the skin.

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Microdermabrasion FAQ

Tiffany Holley
When you have questions about skin care topics like microdermabrasion, it is best to turn to the experts. Skin Rx Clinic has put together a comprehensive list about microdermabrasion treatments and everything involved. If you still have additional questions about microdermabrasion systems or home microdermabrasion, please post a comment and we’ll get back to you with an answer! Q: What Do Professional Microdermabrasion Treatments Involve? A: First, your skin will be cleaned using a specially formulated cleansing gel. The microdermabrasion procedure is then started with the use of a special hand-held device. The microdermabrasion crystals are then sandblasted onto your skin through a small tube. The same tube simultaneously vacuums off the dead skin cells which were removed. The flow of microdermabrasion cream begins at the moment the microdermabrasion wand is applied to the skin. The wand will be moved across your whole face, not just your problem areas, to achieve a consistent skin texture and color. Following your microdermabrasion treatments, a special soothing cream will be applied to your skin to nourish it and protect it from the sun. You can then get back to work or whatever your daily routine is immediately following the treatment.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

Q: Can Microdermabrasion Treatments Only Be Done By Skin Care Professionals? A: Originally, microdermabrasion could only be performed by trained plastic surgeons and later a variety of skin care professionals such as beauty spas and dermatologists became specially trained to perform professional microdermabrasion treatments. Today however, home microdermabrasion products allow anyone to perform this simple, yet effective, skin care treatment. Q: Do Microdermabrasion Systems Work To Even Out Red Marks On The Face? A: Microdermabrasion products work to remove the top surface layer of the skin. Over time and with multiple microdermabrasion treatments, red marks can fade or even disappear depending on their severity to begin with. Some red marks on the face will not disappear with microdermabrasion alone. Q: Does Microdermabrasion Do Anything For Younger People With Skin Problems? A: Microdermabrasion treatments are considered safe for young people with a variety of skin types. Microdermabrasion creams should not be used on anyone younger than 14 however, especially since teenagers and younger people still face major hormonal changes that could diminish the results of the microdermabrasion treatments. Q: Can Home Microdermabrasion Improve the Appearance of Stretch Marks? A: Yes, a microdermabrasion kit is design to exfoliate and shed the top layer of skin. For all intents and purposes, stretch marks are a part of your skin that has an uneven tone and texture. Microdermabrasion treatments have been proven to even out the skin’s texture and tone and can therefore reduce or erase some unsightly stretch marks. Q: Can I Use Microdermabrasion Creams On My Eyelids? A: No, home microdermabrasion creams are not meant to be used on your eyelids under any circumstances. This eye area is extremely thin and therefore prone to irritation or possibly even scarring because the skin can be easily damaged. There are alternative eye wrinkle creams that you should use on your eyelids instead to treat fine lines and wrinkles. Q: Can I Use Microdermabrasion Products for Skin Lightening? A: No. While microdermabrasion treatments do exfoliates and help you to shed the top layer of skin, it can not entirely lighten your complexion. Microdermabrasion products can, however, help even out blotchy skin tone for a more even appearance. Q: Who Is Suitable To Receive Microdermabrasion Treatments? A: If you are over the age of 14 and you have skin care concerns such as mild acne scars, blotchy or uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, fine lines and wrinkles, and/or age or sun spots, our microdermabrasion systems can probably help you. Microdermabrasion products work for all skin types and colors. Q: How Many Microdermabrasion Treatments Will I Need? A: The answer to this question depends on the severity of your skin care issues. For most people, significant changes are noticeable after at least five microdermabrasion treatments when done on a regular schedule. If you were to go to a dermatologist or other skin care professional for personal microdermabrasion, you would more than likely be told that you will need six to ten treatments, each about two to four weeks apart. However many treatments it takes you to reach your desired results, you will have to continue to use microdermabrasion products every two to three months to maintain the effects. Q: How Long Does a Microdermabrasion Treatment Take? A: Usually, your microdermabrasion treatments should take no more than 20 minutes from start to finish. If you are doing other areas of the body such as your neck or hands, the process will take longer. Home microdermabrasion is very simple, so you should be able to complete the process even in a half-hour lunch break! Q: Does Microdermabrasion Remove Acne Scars? A: For mild acne scars, microdermabrasion treatments can even out the skin’s overall texture and improve superficial acne scarring. If you have deep acne scars, microdermabrasion will not likely provide significant improvement. Q: Can Microdermabrasion Work as a Treatment for Hyperpigmentation? A: Skin Rx’s microdermabrasion system is a good choice for treating hyperpigmentation issues. The microdermabrasion creams help to remove the surface layer of the skin where those hyperpigmented skin cells gather. While it normally requires several microdermabrasion treatments, you will usually see significant improvement in a more even skin tone.

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Microdermabrasion Products – The Basics

Tiffany Holley
Microdermabrasion treatments are an easy, non-invasive procedure which renews and rejuvenates dull skin, improves fine lines and wrinkles, reduces the appearance of large pores, lightens acne scars, reduces the appearance of stretch marks and age spots, and improves mild hyperpigmentation problems. Personal microdermabrasion is just as effective as other skin treatments to reduce the appearance of superficial imperfections but it does not require any down time so that you can immediately return to your normal routine after a treatment. Microdermabrasion works to resurface the skin to get rid of the dull dead skin cells and restore one’s natural glow. Home microdermabrasion is a simple procedure for anyone to do and it is completely painless. When compared to the results of treatments like dermal abrasion and laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion treatments are equally effective and provide comparable results. Although personal microdermabrasion can be performed at home, it previously was performed only by skin care professionals, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists who utilized a hand-held machine, much like a sandblaster, which sprayed and circulated a high-pressure flow of special facial crystals onto the patient’s skin.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

Home microdermabrasion has significantly lowered the cost of this skin treatment. Personal microdermabrasion kits will differ in contents depending on where it is purchased, however, the majority of them will contain a crystal cream and an applicator. The applicator is usually a small hand-held wand to re-surface the skin or foam type of applicator which is used to massage the cream into the skin. Microdermabrasion treatments consist of polishing special crystals onto the surface of the skin which in turn helps to remove dead cells, debris, and sebum to get to healthier, younger-looking skin underneath. Some of the best microdermabrasion products or kits include additional creams, gels, and moisturizers which are formulated specifically to enhance the results of microdermabrasion treatments. Skin Rx, for example, offers a unique formulation which combines a home microdermabrasion treatment with glycolic acid for a “double peel” effect for even better results than other personal microdermabrasion kits available.

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The Incredible Shrinking Pores!

Tiffany Holley
large_pores1.jpg picture by tiffanymarlene The pores you have are important to the health of your skin as they work to provide oil in order to keep your skin soft, hydrated, and supple. Not that you want to be reminded of them each time you look at yourself in the mirror, especially if you have large, visible pores that you hate to look at. Your pores can appear larger when they are clogged with oil and dirt or bacteria, so it is important to keep your skin clean and use the right products to keep your pores from getting clogged in the first place. Blackheads are a major factor to large pores. If your pores get clogged with dirt and bacteria, the oil inside the pores will start to build up, causing the pores to expand in diameter. What Else Causes Visible Pores? Besides your pores being clogged, there are two other things which can mean visible pores: age and genes. Those who have naturally oily, thick skin are the ones who tend to get stuck with large pores. That is all genetics and there’s nothing you can do about that! Also, as we age, damage from the sun as well as a natural decrease in the skin’s elasticity can cause pores to open up or dilate. The skin then begins to thicken, causing the tiny skin cells to build up around the edges of our pores which ultimately makes them appear larger.

Professional Microdermabrasion results at home

Can Pores Really Shrink? Sorry but no – there is no magic trick that will permanently shrink large pores. Fortunately, though, the appearance of visible pores can be significantly reduced in a variety of ways. Just by cleansing your face of dirt, bacteria, and excess oil will greatly reduce their appearance. Exfoliation is another method to minimize the prominence of large pores. You can do this by using an at-home microdermabrasion treatment. Microdermabrasion works to gently scrub off the dead visible layers of the facial skin to reveal softer, smoother, and healthier skin below. Skin Rx recommends Microdermabrasion Peel Kit #1 – A unique combination of microdermabrasion crystals and glycolic acid in one which is a great solution to visible pores.

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