I’ve always been self-conscious of the acne scars I’ve had since high school. With a history of acne on both sides of my parents, there was no way of dodging that particular bullet. Once I started earning my own money however, I made the decision to undergo microdermabrasion. I never regretted that decision.
What is it?
Microdermabrasion is a process where the skin is slightly buffed by very fine crystals. It’s like a facial scrub but a very gentle one that slowly scuffs away at the outermost layer of the skin.
I’m no dermatologist but I understand that the process makes it easier for the new skin to come to the top, at the same time peeling off the old skin containing the acne scars. It’s an accepted and safe skin procedure in Australia and I’ve known several women who had it before me.
Does it hurt?
Compared to laser hair removal – which I also had – I can honestly say that microdermabrasion doesn’t register on the pain scale. There’s really just slight pressure on the face as the tool glides over.
The whole process can take an hour but it’s really just a time to relax. Since the process is non-invasive, there’s really no need to prep the night before. There was a simple consultation before the process was started.
I was told to avoid the sun and delay waxing a week before the procedure which I was happy to do – especially since I had microdermabrasion during the winter. I noticed however that even though the sun is mild, the doctor had me put on moisturizer and sunscreen to protect my skin.
Other than those things – not much had to be done for after-care purposes! Of course, that’s me and others may need to use additional products on their skin, depending on the findings of the doctor.
What happened after microdermabrasion?
Again, I’m comparing microdermabrasion with laser hair removal and microdermabrasion needs zero recovery time. With laser hair removal, I experienced a few days of swelling and irritation and had to be very careful putting on my clothes because it can hurt. Microdermabrasion doesn’t have that effect and I noticed the positive effects immediately after the treatment.
How often should the sessions be?
My acne scars were practically gone by my fifth session, but I’m not stopping yet. My go to Hoppers Crossing skin clinic has been very friendly and I’ve decided to undergo treatment once every few months to keep my skin looking fresh. Sure – the acne scars are barely noticeable anymore, but I like what microdermabrasion does for my skin.
I would often leave the clinic feeling refreshed with a complexion that just glows. I have very soft skin now and my pores have shrunk to a flattering size. My mom is even thinking of taking microdermabrasion, too after seeing how it worked so well for me!
So what did microdermabrasion did for me? Aside from the disappearance of my acne scars, I also noted that my fine wrinkles started to disappear. Facial lines became shallower and any skin discoloration I had started to even out.
I didn’t have good skin to begin with so the improvements were really noticeable! The blackheads also went away and my skin wasn’t as oily as before. With the noticeable positive changes, I started to invest in better skin care products to make sure the microdermabrasion doesn’t go to waste.
So how much does it cost?
I guess the only downside to microdermabrasion is the fact that it isn’t covered by insurance. I had to set aside money for it with each session but it’s worth it! The good news is that since each session is around two to three weeks apart, I had the chance to budget accordingly.
So was microdermabrasion the right decision? Yes, definitely. As someone who had to live with acne scars for most of my adult life, this simple procedure gave me a level of confidence I didn’t know I had!
