Microdermabrasion for Melasma

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Microdermabrasion is a popular treatment for skin conditions. It involves the removal of the top layers of skin using a fine abrasive. This requires a course of about five treatments to effectively reduce the appearance of melasma.

Procedure for Microdermabrasion

A hand held microdermabrasion machine is used to resurface the treatment area. The machine blasts abrasive crystals at your skin at high speed removing the top layer of your skin. This gets rid of any dirt or dead skin. The machine is then used to remove the dead skin and the crystals. This leaves your skin fresh looking and rejuvenated.

In order to target melasma you may need to combine microdermabrasion with a chemical skin peel. This depends on the depth of your melasma. Microdermabrasion only targets the top layer of your skin and therefore can only remove melasma if it resides in this layer.

Some people believe that repeat procedures of microdermabrasion can be more effective in reaching the lower levels of your skin. However scientific studies into this have not yet been completed and therefore there is no evidence to support the belief.

Effects of Microdermabrasion on Melasma

Microdermabrasion is one of the least invasive cosmetic procedures used in the treatment of melasma. This makes it a popular choice as there is little recovery time. However it does not give as great effects as other treatment options such as chemical skin peels or laser resurfacing.

Microdermabrasion removes the top layers of skin to improve the appearance of melasma. Many people report that it is effective in greatly reducing the appearance of their melasma but does not cause it to fade completely. In order to get the desired results you may need up to twelve sessions. This can be expensive compared to other more permanent treatments.

Advantages of Microdermabrasion

One of the main advantages of microdermabrasion is the fact that it has such a little recovery time. This has led to it being known as a lunchtime treatment as many people are able to return to work within an hour of the treatment. This is because it is not invasive and it causes little discomfort.

Another advantage of microdermabrasion is that it stimulates collagen production. Whilst this will not help your melasma, it means that your skin is likely to be tighter and much more youthful after the treatment. This will improve your overall appearance.

Your skin will also be more healthy after microdermabrasion as moisturisers will be able to penetrate it more easily. You will also benefit from improved blood flow, which improves the health of your skin.

Disadvantages of Microdermabrasion

There are few disadvantages of microdermabrasion as long as it is performed correctly. However when performed by an inexperienced practitioner it is possible that complications can develop. This is normally an infection as a result of the equipment used not being cleaned. There is also a chance that the machine will be used incorrectly, which could cause the crystals to penetrate your skin or eyes causing irritation and discomfort.

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