You know that little red, dry patch that looks like nothing and a bother to keep concealing?
LOOK AGAIN! SEE YOUR DERMATOLOGIST.

A client learns the little, red dry patch on her nose turned out to be Basal Cell Carcinoma and a surgeon and plastic surgeon succeeded in removing it.   Needless to say this was very scary for my client and thankfully the doctors got it all. This was my first case of this nature but I do have clients whose old scars from the same nightmare are worked on within their Microdermabrasion treatments as well as LED,

The good news that I’d like to share here is that the speed of the skin recovery post-surgery was remarkable. Armed with a list from her doctor’s nurse to assist healing:
LED therapy: stimulates the skins naturally occurring regeneration and repair process.
Silicone gel: to protect from excessive moisture, drying out and infections.
Shade Factor B3 tablets: Promotes natural immune response to ultraviolet light, supports healthy skin before, during and after skin exposure.
Active C Serum: Healing, anti- oxidant protection, stimulates the skins natural collagen, lightens pigmentation.
Trentinoin or Retin A:  By prescription. Increases collagen production.

This client comes each week for LED therapy for six sessions. Here are some photos for you to see the progress of healing from post-surgery to five weeks later. Take heart.

Myth: Microdermabrasion doesn't work
Unfortunately, we're not magical fairies that can wave a wand and whisk away your skin worries. We know that everyone's skin is different, hence why no one can waltz straight into a service without a thorough consultation before commencing any skin treatments.
With microdermabrasion, many women do see glowing, luminous skin after the initial visit. However, depending on skin type, others may see less differences, and therefore assume that it's an ineffective treatment.

One important thing to note about this treatment is that it's not a standalone action that'll tackle your skin problems - skincare goes further than the treatment itself. Microdermabrasion can be paired with other skin services, which all work to enhance the health of your skin. It may take a while before you see results, but let us assure you, microdermabrasion is definitely helping your skin to reach that stage.

If you have any further questions about microdermabrasion, reach out and call.

Myth: Microdermabrasion does little good to your skin and is only a waste of money.
The technology has become less expensive over the years and the cost is no more these days than a quality traditional facial.

Microdermabrasion is a good investment for beauty care and maintenance. Exfoliation is good for your skin because it is a means of helping your skin renew its cells and get rid of the dead, useless ones on the superficial layer of your skin.
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Microdermabrasion is proven effective in treating mild acne scars, enhancing collagen and elastin production, improving blood circulation and lymph flow, improving the appearance of stretch marks, treating sun-damaged skin and many more!

Maybe this is just what your skin needs!

Myth: Better results come after more aggressive microdermabrasion treatments.
No, it’s not about aggressive treatments at all. This is a gradual, cumulative process that doesn’t happen in just a single session.  The correct application of each procedure will give a more satisfying result within four to six treatments.  Depending on the skin issues, fortnightly will show results followed by monthly or tri-monthly treatments to keep the skin fresh and improved.
 
Myth: Microdermabrasion can cause micro-tears in your skin
You've probably heard that the presence of apricot kernels in skincare products can do the same thing, so it's only easy to assume that using microcrystals can also cause small tears in your skin.
The crystals used by Gem Skin’s microdermabrasion are crystals called ‘corundum’ which is crushed up sterilised gem stone particles that are as strong as Safire stones.  Their mechanism rejuvenates through ‘micro trauma’ which stimulates collagen and elastin, it is non-piercing.
Our microdermabrasion treatments are meant to smooth coarse-textured skin, not harm it, and in the case that we think it's not the right treatment for you, we'll make sure to say so during your consultation.

Keep an eye our for the next blog in this series coming soon!

Myth: It’s enough to undergo microdermabrasion, no extra effort is needed.
Once you’ve undergone a microdermabrasion treatment you don’t have to do anything but relax. Not quite. You need to protect your skin.

Microdermabrasion is designed to help other skin care products work effectively as they penetrate the deeper layers of your skin.

One thing that you need to take note of after your session is to regularly apply a high sunscreen. After your microdermabrasion treatment, your new skin is more vulnerable to sun damage that’s why it needs a daily sun protection. Don’t swim in chlorinated pools for a few days or use sun beds.

It can also be used along with other treatments such as chemical peels and Intense Pulse Light (IPL) therapy.

​Myth: Microdermabrasion is only good for fair-skinned people.
Some people have come to believe that you cannot book a microdermabrasion if you have fair skin. This is simply untrue and you should not fall for this myth. Microdermabrasion is an effective skin treatment no matter the skin type of colour. If you’re unsure whether or not microdermabrasion is right for you, then you should talk to your dermatologist.

Microdermabrasion isn’t created just for one skin type or skin tone. It works well with every skin colour or skin type that has minor skin imperfections.
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These imperfections could be the ones affected by sun damage and aging. It is therefore intended for the general improvement of the skin’s overall appearance, and texture.
However, people who have more serious skin problems should seek other treatment alternatives advised by a professional skin care specialist or a medical practitioner in a related field.

Keep an eye our for the next blog in this series coming soon!

It's quite normal for most of us to put extra emphasis on the way we care for our physical appearance.  We need only to look at our shelves and cupboards and add up the cost of all our creams and lotions, hair products and body products to realise we have a complete arsenal on board for our personal care regime.

Botox and fillers are so common and accepted now, few bother concealing their regular injections.  All manner of laser work abounds in the cosmetic and dermalogical clinics.
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Another non-surgical procedure considered popular and convenient for people who want to instantly achieve clear and glowing skin is Microdermabrasion.

Despite the fact that microdermabrasion continues to grow bigger in the skincare industry, you might still be a part of some people who have second thoughts. Should you get yourself scheduled for this non-invasive exfoliation treatment?

It is understandable that it is hard to trust on something you haven’t tried or you’ve been frightened off by some complete myths.  You’re spending money and want results and ones that aren’t scary to undertake.

This is why before booking for an appointment for any type of treatment either in a dermatology clinic or salon, you need to carefully analyse whether what you’re getting is worth it or not.

To get you started down that road, over the next few weeks I am going to talk about some myths about microdermabrasion that you may or may not have heard and debunk them once and for all .....

Myth: Like any other cosmetic procedure, you need to endure pain during microdermabrasion sessions.
You might be afraid to undergo a microdermabrasion treatment because you think it’s painful. Microdermabrasion is painless. Don’t be confused with ‘Dermabrasion’ carried out only by cosmetic doctors which is a much more invasive deeper treatment.
True, there is the usual feeling of tiny sand-like particles running on your face. But you need not to worry about it because it causes only little or no discomfort at all. Micro-derma-brasion isn’t painful because it only affects the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis.

Myth:   Microdermabrasion sessions won’t fit in your busy schedule.
A basic treatment can take only 30 minutes but when you add serums, masks or peels etc, then it may take an hour.
It’s quick, and there’s no downtime needed. It will hardly interfere with your busy schedule.
After the treatment, your skin may turn a bit pinkish but this fades in an hour or not at all and you may go back to your personal tasks, or job right away. Keeping up your moisturisers over the next few days as the new skin cells will soak in the moisturiser like water to a sponge.

​To be continued ....

o edit.

This blog is about helping you to understand what depth of your skin microdermabrasion acts upon which in turn confirms the safety aspect of the procedure. The basic diagram below shows the five levels of the epidermis with the last layer (Corneum Germativium) that attaches to the dermis.  Micro – dermabrasion only deals with the first layer, the  Stratum Corneum of the epidermis.

‘Dermabrasion’ on the other hand is a deeper invasive procedure and only performed medical practitioners’ i.e. plastic surgeon.

Stratum Corneum (as in cornification)
This is the superficial layer you see and touch.  It is a barrier of dead, durable and expendable cells that’s protects the underlying deeper portion of the epithelium.  It contains 15-30 layers of keratinised cells that are tightly connected which is why they shed in flakes rather than individual cells. 

It is the free surface of dead keratin cells that Microderm buffs away.

Stratum Germinativum
This fifth layer is dominated by stem cells whose division replaces the superficial keratinocytes that are shed at the epithelial surface.

It takes 15 to 30 days for the cell to move up from this layer to the stratum corneum and then another 14 days before they shed and wash away.

The projection of the crystals on the surface of the skin provides micro trauma (represented by the warmth in the skin) which sets up the rejuvenation process at a cellular level.  *Fibroblasts are stimulated to produce collagen and elastin at the papillary dermal level.
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(*Fibroblasts are the most common cells in connective tissue.  Their main function is to maintain structural integrity of the connective tissue by continuously secreting extracellular matirix proteins like collagen.)

The microdermabrasion treatment is a safe, non-evasive procedure because it is the free surface of the Stratum Corneum that is resurfaced through intense exfoliation.  This increases the blood supply that provides nutrients necessary for skin regeneration, repair, and increased cellular turnover.  In return, improving the skins’ elasticity and texture, as well as balancing the pigment. The skins’ permeability for moisturisers is increased.