Micro Dermabrasion versus Alpha-Hydroxy

The grand and glorious benefits of glycolic and alpha-Hydroxy containing products is no longer the biggest buzz in the skin care industry.

So what happened? To be sure, the rise and fall in popularity of skin care products containing alpha-Hydroxy and glycolic acids, can be attributed to several obvious and some not so obvious factors.

First, media hype always piques interest. When an obscure study demonstrating a possible link between certain skin care ingredients and "anti-aging" benefits is unearthed and leaked to the press, suddenly everybody wants to know about it. Wanting to know leads to wanting to try. And wanting to try drives skin care professionals and product manufacturers into incorporating glycolic and alpha-hydroxy acids in therapeutic procedures and product formulations to satisfy the public's insatiable appetite for anything that might contain the "fountain of youth".

Second, because glycolic and alpha-Hydroxy products have been on the market for at least two years, many consumers eager to try this so-called advance in "anti-aging" therapy, have now had an opportunity to do so, and frankly, have discovered that these products and procedures don't always deliver what they promise. After consistent and loyal use, many consumers are now seriously questioning the supposed benefits of these products. Some say they've experienced little, if any, "anti-aging" effects.

Third, skin care practitioners themselves are questioning the efficacy of glycolic and alpha-Hydroxy products in prescriptive "anti-aging" therapy, as they record a sudden rise in the number of patients and clients with negative consequences from long-term use of products containing these ingredients.

The reality is, the fountain of youth still eludes us. But there are some promising discoveries which may help hold Father Time at bay. Vitamin C therapy may be one of them. Another appears to be the periodic use of mechanical Micro Dermabrasion in conjunction with a natural, biocompatible skin care regimen.

Unlike deep dermabrasion, Micro Dermabrasion can be used on any area of the body to plane dead surface cells, even the skin surface, and stimulate collagen and elastin production. There is no "down time" with Micro Dermabrasion (the complete process, including the after-treatment firming and toning masque takes a little over an hour), and many people who would be poor candidates for dermabrasion because of health conditions, advanced age, or special skin problems, can be treated by Micro Dermabrasion technique successfully. Unlike deep dermabrasion, Micro Dermabrasion is non-invasive and painless to all but the most sensitive skin. Coupled with a natural, skin care program which helps tighten, tone, condition and encourage healthy skin growth by providing nutrition to the skin, Micro Dermabrasion treatments can help diminish many skin imperfections. These include fine lines, discolorations, acne or other small scars. Micro Dermabrasion treatments, along with adherence to a proper skin care program, can also help restore the glow and natural vitality of youthful skin.

Unfortunately, many persons with skin over treated by glycolic and alpha-Hydroxy are not good candidates for micro dermabrasion. This has much to do with the mechanical process of the technique which involves shooting a thin stream of minute crystals over the surface of the skin to "sandblast off" the thin, upper layers of degenerative skin cells. Performed on skin which is hardened and thinned by acid treatments, and therefore more compacted, Micro Dermabrasion may seriously irritate the skin, abrade it unevenly, further impact trapped skin debris or make skin thinner still, accentuating blotchiness. Clearly, persons who have acid-type skin, be it from over treatment with acid-containing products or environmental damage, etc., must first prepare the skin and return it to its natural functioning before Micro Dermabrasion treatments can be attempted. This preparatory process can be one day or one month, depending on the individual. For this purpose, Micro Dermagraphics, Inc., Liqui-Freeze Masque, with Seaweed & Natural Botanicals, enzyme-active skin treatment which helps neutralize acid-type skin and restore normal skin functioning, while tightening, toning and conditioning skin in preparation for Micro Dermabrasion sessions. For daily skin care, deep-pore cleansing with Glycolactic Gentle Gel Cleanser and daily use of the appropriate skin care crèmes (including Vitamin C treatment crème), oils and waters, helps to properly prepare the skin to receive optimum benefit from Micro Dermabrasion sessions. It should be noted that Micro Dermabrasion is a treatment process. Although most individuals reportedly note a marked improvement in the appearance of their skin from the first treatment, a series of treatments supported by the prescriptive therapeutic skin care program, is recommended for maximum results.

Individuals wanting more information on Micro Dermabrasion, Contact Karen Troyer Kotleba, R.N., C.D.T. Cpma.