Post-Treatment Tips to Get the Most from Microdermabrasion
If you want the best possible results from your skincare routine, you’re going to need to know some post-treatment tips to get the most from at-home microdermabrasion. When you consider the fact that this treatment was only done by professional aestheticians for a long time, it makes sense that a lot of people aren’t so sure about best practices for microdermabrasion after-care.
But don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at what microdermabrasion even is, what it does for your skin, and how to get the most out of microdermabrasion with some before and after care. If you’re anything like us, you’ll be ready to start scrubbing away those dull, dead skin cells by the time you’re halfway through this article.
What is microdermabrasion?
We know — the word “microdermabrasion” is kind of intimidating. But it’s actually way less scary than it sounds! Microdermabrasion is the a skincare treatment that uses a mechanical device — like the Silk’n Revit — to take off the first layer of your skin. While some microdermabrasion devices spray little crystals and then vacuum up along with your dead skin cells, the Silk’n Revit Prestige is a 100% crystal-free microdermabrasion device. Instead, it uses a diamond tip and powerful vacuum stimulation to exfoliate your skin and get rid of those dulls, dead cells.
If even that description makes you kind of nervous, many users report that a microdermabrasion treatment feels a little bit like a cat licking your face, minus the cat spit! It’s a bit rough, but it doesn’t hurt. You’ll also likely feel a slight vacuum sensation, which can be kind of nice for some people. Really it just depends on what kind of sensations work for you!
And microderm has a lot of potential benefits for your skin. You can use it for acne, acne scars, blackheads, enlarged pores, fine lines, melasma, stretch marks, sun damage, uneven skin ton, uneven skin texture, and wrinkles. It’s really great for anyone who wants their skin to look bright, tighter, and younger. (And who doesn’t want that?)
You also might have heard of “dermabrasion,” which is another exfoliating skincare treatment. That’s not the same as microdermabrasion — it goes much deeper and further into the layers of skin. It’s also not suitable for all skin types and colors, while microdermabrasion is.
Can you do microdermabrasion at home?
Yes! You absolutely can do microdermabrasion at home now! Products such as the Silk’n Revit Prestige microderm device make it easy to do your own microdermabrasion treatments at home, completely safely. Plus, it’s way more affordable than going into the salon on a regular basis.
Some of the benefits of using the ReVit Prestige Microdermabrasion device include:
- Powerful device with diamond peeling
- Addresses skin tone irregularities, skin texture and elasticity issues
- Softens age spots and shallow acne scars
- Safely and gently removes dead skin cells, while stimulating production of new skin cells
- Intelligent auto mode that guides you through your treatment for best results
Learn more about the Silkn Revit Prestige and the Revit in our Microderm resource center.
Here’s one really, really important thing to keep in mind: You have to be careful about your before and after skincare when you’re doing at-home (or even salon!) microderm. When you take off the top layer of skin, you’re essentially creating “new” skin that’s never been exposed to the elements. That means it’s super sensitive, which can be great when you’re trying to get it to soak up expensive skincare products.
Less great? Sun and other damaging elements, which can hurt the new skin and negate the effects of the microdermabrasion treatment. So, let’s take a look at some tips and tricks on how to maximize the effects of microdermabrasion after each treatment session.
- Avoid other treatments for a week before and after
Lots of people do multiple skincare treatments — that’s pretty normal. But if you’re doing a treatment like, say, at-home IPL hair removal with the Silk’n Flash&Go Pro, your best bet is to time the treatments so they don’t overlap. Give yourself a solid week before and after your microdermabrasion treatment to ensure your skin isn’t too sensitive.
Other skin treatments to avoid for about week before and after include tanning beds (really just avoid these all the time), spray tans, chemical peels, collagen injections, scrubs, exfoliation, and waxing for a couple weeks before. Basically, you want your skin to be in good shape to receive the at-home microdermabrasion treatment, so anything that might upset it is a no-go.
- Cleanse beforehand
Before you start your microdermabrasion treatment, you’ll want to do a thorough — but gentle — wash of your face. Avoid cleanser that include detergent/soap, as well as oil cleansers for the best results. Basically, if you have a really nice, gentle cleanser you already use and love, it should do the job.
- Wear sunscreen
You’re already wearing sunscreen every day, right? Of course you are! But you want to be extra careful to slather on the SPF 50+ after you do an at-home microderm treatment. Remember: That “new” skin is like baby skin. It’s never seen the sun before and its especially sensitive right after it’s exposed to the world.
In addition to a high-quality, high-SPF sunscreen, why not just stay out of the sun for a few days? (Some people even choose to do these treatments primarily in winter, to make sure they’re less likely to be exposed to powerful rays.) If you do go outside, add a cute brimmed hat and some big sunglasses to your outfit. You’ll look super glam, 1950s style, and you’ll protect your skin.
- Clean your face
Immediately after you’ve finished your at-home microdermabrasion treatment, clean your face with clean, damp cloth. This scoops up and dead cells or debris left behind by the device. Follow up with a hydrating toner to get some immediate hydration and to tighten everything up.
- Moisturize after
This is probably the most important step in your post-microdermabrasion routine: Moisturizing. That fresh new skin is feeling kind of traumatized — you basically brought it to the surface before it normally would be exposed to the elements. So you need to show it love but applying a moisturizer that’s specifically for post-microdermabrasion treatment.
If you don’t moisturize, you’ll likely not only not get the full benefits of your at-home microdermabrasion treatment, you might even get some major skin conditions. Those can range from inflammation to flaky dry spots to oozing and bleeding. It’s really not a good look.
- Use a cold compress
Some people report some slight irritation or swelling after a microdermabrasion treatment. Nothing major, but if you find that’s the case for you, you can soothe your sore skin with a cold compress. Just make sure to put a towel between the compress and your skin and to only leave it on for a few minutes at a time.
- No scratching!
Sometimes people have dry or flaky skin after a microdermabrasion treatment, even with a good moisturizer. It’ll heal quickly, but in the meantime don’t touch it. Scratching or picking at your skin after a microdermabrasion treatment is a big no-no that can lead to permanent skin damage.
If your skin is really itchy, it might be worth contacting your dermatologist for some recommendations. A very itchy and flaky face after microdermabrasion is not common, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a health care professional if this happens to you.
- Hold off on products
If you’re doing at-home microdermabrasion, you’re probably pretty big into skin care. Not too big a leap, right? But you really need to hold off on a few products for about two days after you do your treatment. Those include glycolic, alpha hydroxy, beta hydroxy, retinol, benzyl peroxide, and topical acne medications. And if you use prescription retinoid products, pause on those treatments for about a week as well.
We know you might be tempted to push those time limits, but trust us: That new skin is delicate and you really don’t want to mess it up with products that could harm it. Just wait a little longer — you won’t regret it.
- Drink lots of water
The absolute best thing you can do for skin is drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. In fact, multiple studies have shown that both an increase in water consumption and eating just a couple more portions of fruits and veggies per day can have a dramatic impact on the appearance of your skin.
Keep well-hydrated and healthy is especially important post-microdermabrasion, as your skin needs those nutrients to heal.
Try At-home Microderm Today
Now that you know everything there is to know about pre and after care for at-home microdermabrasion treatments, you’re all set to get your own device! If you want to learn a little more before pressing “buy,” you can check out the microdermabrasion section of our resource center, or browse the microderm section of our blog.
And when you’re ready, hop over and check out the Silk’n ReVit Prestige or the Silk’n ReVit. They’re both excellent at-home microdermabrasion devices that will give you younger-looking, brighter skin in no time at all.
Just remember: Stay out of the sun, drink lots of water, moisturize, and pause on your other products for a while. You’ve got this.
