Microdermabrasion is one of the more recent skin-care techniques to have crossed over from Hollywood to the mainstream. It’s being advanced as an “instant facelift” — an effective alternative to costlier and more invasive procedures like plastic surgery, chemical peels and Botox injections.

Recently, more and more men are trying it, instead of pursuing cosmetic surgery. Microdermabrasion, is the application of tiny rough grains to buff away the surface layer of skin. Many different products and treatments use this method, including medical procedures, salon treatments and creams and scrubs that you apply yourself at home. In order to know what microdermabrasion does, you need to know how your skin work. Your skin is made up of two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the layer closest to the outside world. It’s a set of dead skin cells on top of another layer of cells that are in the process of maturing. The topmost layer mostly acts as a barrier between the outside world and the lower skin layers. It keeps all but the smallest molecules from getting through. When you put lotions or moisturizers on your skin, some of the moisture passes through the top layer of skin, but not all of it. This layer is home to many minor skin imperfections like fine wrinkle lines and blemishes. All of the action in microdermabrasion takes place at the top level of skin, “the stratum corneum”.

Microdermabrasion is a safe, non-surgical, “lunch hour” procedure that provides many benefits. Microdermabrasion reduces or eliminates fine facial lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging; it improves the appearance of acne scars and other light scarring; and it gives skin of all colors and types a fresh, healthy-looking glow. It does all this with virtually no side effects. And because microdermabrasion uses non-allergenic crystals to treat the skin, it is an excellent treatment for skin that is sensitive to chemicals. Microdermabrasion does not present any serious risks when it is performed by one of our trained technicians. Some people may experience slight skin irritation after microdermabrasion. Since everyone’s skin and health history differ to some degree, the risks and benefits of microdermabrasion must be considered on a case-by-case basis.