Microdermabrasion—microderm for short—may be an attractive treatment option for removing dead surface skin and other cosmetic skin improvements. But as with many if not most such treatments there is always a possibility of side effects, even if the treatment by and large is considered a tried, tested, and safe cosmetic technique. You should remember, too, that no cosmetic treatment is entirely risk-free no matter how generally safe it is considered to be.
The most common possible microdermabrasion side effects are believed to be redness, itching, and dry skin. These may depend mostly on your skin type, though those who have sensitive skin to begin with are probably the most likely to experience those side effects, particularly the skin reddishness.
Other side effects can include hyperpigmentation, skin injuries, and even infection, though these three usually occur if the microderm device is not handled properly by the clinician administering the treatment. Pregnant or menopausal women are also usually urged to consult with their doctors before undergoing microderm treatment, since the hormonal changes involved can leave them prone to certain skin issues.
If you select microderm treatment as an acne corrective, you should beware that there may be a small increase in acne before the condition subsides, because of the activity involved in unclogging pores during microderm treatment.
Once upon a time when microderm customarily involved crystalised treatments, there was a risk of stray crystals getting into a patient’s eyes, but salons, clinics, spas, and plastic surgery operating rooms now offer special eye protection for microderm treatment if the crystal methods are still in use.
Still other side effects can tie to a patient’s sun sensitivity—some microderm patients who were sun sensitive before microderm treatment reported an increase in that sensitivity as well as some flaking and redness following the treatment.
One point to remember for microderm treatment is that it is not the only cosmetic treatment that can cause a few fluctuations in your skin’s pigmentation balance—pigmentation changes are common, if temporary, with other skin rejuvenation procedures such as laser resurfacing and chemical peels as well. Your doctor should be able to counsel you regarding your skin type and skin sensitivities before you undergo microderm treatments.