What Happens During a Microdermabrasion Treatment, How to Prepare for a Microdermabrasion 15 Steps

What Happens During a Microdermabrasion Treatment?

What to Expect During Your First Microdermabrasion Treatment

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Microdermabrasion is an immensely popular skin treatment that can be done at the salon, skin spa, or at your dermatologist's office. If you've never had one before, though, you're probably wondering what happens during a microdermabrasion treatment. Like, how long does a treatment last? And, does it hurt?

Here are answers to the most-asked questions about microdermabrasion, to help you know what to expect during your first treatment.

What Can Microdermabrasion Do for the Skin?

Microdermabrasion is a professional procedure that can be done by both dermatologists and estheticians alike. There are two main types of microdermabrasion procedures. Both are used to thoroughly exfoliate the skin.

During a crystal microdermabrasion, micro-fine crystals are shot from a small tube onto your skin and simultaneously vacuumed back up. Think of this as working like a high-powered scrub. There is a crystal-free version of microdermabrasion that uses a diamond-tipped wand to exfoliate instead.

Both forms of microdermabrasion have many benefits. Just one treatment leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, and looking radiant. With a series of microdermabrasion treatments, pore blockages and blackheads are reduced, and there is a softening of fine lines.

How Long Does a Treatment Take?

The actual microdermabrasion procedure is quick—it takes just 15 to 30 minutes.

Your technician will lead you to the treatment room, where you'll change into a gown and lie down on the bed. Your technician will cleanse your face to prep your skin, do microdermabrasion procedure, then cleanse your face again to clean away any stray crystals. Follow up with an application of moisturizer and sunscreen, and you're done.

Many salons, day spas, and medi-spas will also incorporate microdermabrasion into a complete facial treatment. In this case, you'll also be treated to a mask and facial massage. For this, expect to spend about 60 to 90 minutes in the treatment chair.

How Much Does It Cost?

Depending on where you live and where you have your treatment done, cost can range from $75 to upwards of $300 per treatment. If you go to a posh salon in an affluent area, and opt for the works facial treatment, expect to pay premium for your microdermabrasion. If, instead, you opt for a no-frills microdermabrasion at the local salon your cost will be on the lower end of the scale.

Shop around. The highest price treatment isn't necessarily the best, but bargain-basement-priced procedures should be looked into skeptically.

How Many Treatments Are Needed?

How many treatments you will need is completely depended on what your end goal is. Are you on vacation and treating yourself to a day at the spa? Just one treatment will leave your skin looking bright and feeling buttery soft.

But if you're looking for improvement of a specific skin problem, you really need a series of treatments to see any positive effects. The results you get from microdermabrasion are cumulative.

Generally, six to 10 treatments are scheduled 7 to 14 days apart. The number and frequency of treatments varies depending on your skin’s needs and your skin care goals. The technician doing your procedure will let you know the best treatment schedule for your specific situation.

Does Microdermabrasion Hurt?

The thought of having crystals blasted onto your skin, or a diamond-tipped wand dragged across your face, seems brutal, it really isn't as bad as it sounds. Some people liken the feeling to the rough lick of a cat's tongue. Others describe it as a gritty facial massage or report feeling just minor tugging on the skin.

However it's described, you needn't worry. Because it works on just the surface layers of the skin, microdermabrasion isn't painful.

If your technician is being a bit heavy-handed for your liking, let them know. Your microdermabrasion treatment should not be uncomfortable.

What Can I Expect After Treatment?

Again, because it works on the very surface of the skin, there are little issues in terms of microdermabrasion side effects. After a treatment, your skin will be a bit pink. This usually fades within a few hours.

For a day or so afterwards, it might feel like you have a minor sunburn. Otherwise, you'll be able to go about your day right after your treatment without anyone any wiser about what you've had done.

Acne treatments, toners, medicated cleansers and the like will probably burn or sting if you apply them right after a microdermabrasion treatment, though. You may want to hold off using them for a day. Makeup, moisturizers, and non-medicated cleansers can usually be used right after a treatment with no problems.

You'll definitely need to use sunscreen though. You'll be a bit more susceptible to sun damage after treatment. (But you're already using sunscreen daily, right?)

A Word from Verywell

Microdermabrasion is a very safe procedure for most people (although there are some people who should not have a microdermabrasion treatment.)

Microdermabrasion is a valuable skin care procedure but it isn't a miracle cure for all problems. It won't treat deeper lines and wrinkles, or treat acne scars. Prior to treatment, talk about your skin goals and expectations so that you and your technician are on the same page. This will ensure you walk away from your treatment happy with the results.