Microdermabrasion is performed either under local anesthesia or in a combination of local anesthesia and twilight sleep.
The top layer of skin is removed piece by piece with a milling machine. This is carried out until small red dots can be seen, which indicate the blood vessels. When treating uneven skin, the aim is to make the transitions to the untreated, even skin as invisible as possible.
The skin needs to be tightened and stretched. Only then is the diamond grinding wheel used. However, the milling machine can also consist of other materials. The treated area is usually covered with an ointment so that the skin underneath can scab over. The scab becomes less hard with the ointment and the risk of scarring is reduced.
The sick leave is usually for around 14 days, then the healing process has progressed so far that the redness can be covered with make-up.
There are general surgical risks, such as swelling, redness, postoperative bleeding or infections. Scarring cannot be completely ruled out. Disturbances in the pigmentation can also occur after the operation, which can be the case, for example, due to UV light. Long-lasting redness is also possible. The new skin is usually more sensitive to external influences.
Depending on the extent of the treatment, the microdermabrasion lasts between one and two hours.
No painkilling or blood-thinning medication may be taken before the microdermabrasion. The skin should also not be irritated, for example by sunburn.
A wound dressing must be applied after the treatment. The prescribed ointment must be applied regularly. Sun exposure should be avoided for up to six months, and after that a high sun protection factor must be selected. Excessive sweating should be avoided in the first few weeks.
Scars can form if the treatment is done improperly or too deeply.
