Spring is a time of renewal. The winter chill becomes a distant memory, and tiny buds and blossoms poke their heads out of the ground to meet the sunshine. Just like the brave, delicate first sprouts of spring, we should consider this time of year an opportunity for rejuvenation. We have slumbered all winter, and now we must shake off the dust and step into the light. As we declutter and deep clean our homes, we also should consider undertaking a personal “spring cleaning.”
If you’re tired of rough-textured skin that makes you look older, give yourself a rejuvenating glow. Slough off all those dry, dead skin cells that built up over the winter months, and bring the healthy, plump skin cells up to the surface. Two popular options for “polishing” your skin are a facial and a microdermabrasion treatment. People often wonder about the similarities and differences of each treatment, so here’s an overview.
There are many types of facials to help skin look smoother and healthier, but one thing to note is that facials focus only on the skin’s outermost layer. They help with exfoliation, moisturization and cleansing pores. There is no downtime with this treatment, and afterward, you’ll feel exfoliated and refreshed — with softer skin and improved circulation. It is a great way to relax and feel rejuvenated.
If you want to see a more intense change, then a more powerful, medical-grade treatment like microdermabrasion may be for you. It is a non-surgical procedure that increases circulation, resurfaces your skin and reduces the appearance of pore size, age spots, hyperpigmentation, shallow acne scars and fine lines and wrinkles.
During the procedure, a dermatologist or aesthetician uses a handheld piece of equipment to gently spread the microcrystals. As the device passes over your skin, the rough crystals “scrub” your skin, sloughing off layers and layers of dead skin cells. There are also “crystal-free” devices, too. Think of it as a tiny, skin-friendly sandblaster. The tool’s vacuum then sucks up the crystals and dead skin cells.
With a microdermabrasion treatment, results last longer because the procedure penetrates the skin at a deeper level than a facial does. The process doesn’t hurt, only takes about an hour and requires no downtime. Like any skincare treatment, you will achieve better results with a series of treatments.
Overall, both treatments are good for your skin and yield results, but if you desire more bang for your buck, microdermabrasion may be your best bet.
