Microdermabrasion Gone Wrong-Causes And Remedy

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By Amelia Varley

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If you have ever experienced having microdermabrasion treatment, then you are very familiar with the redness of the skin after treatment. It usually goes away within hours, depending on how much pressure is used during treatment.

However, there are times that not only the redness but also dark spots or even scarring happen after the treatment. This article aims to inform those who have not experienced microdermabrasion before on what might happen during and after the procedure. We will also let you know the precautions one should take, and how to handle a botched procedure.

A person would normally undergo microdermabrasion if they want their skin to appear smoother, cleaner, and healthier looking. It is also effective in removing the thick layer of dead skin cells on the surface, which enables ingredients to penetrate faster into the skin.

The procedure normally takes around 15 minutes or less to finish up. The only downside it has is that it needs multiple sessions to achieve the best results. Some people find this tedious and would rather undergo laser resurfacing.

Why Microdermabrasion Goes Wrong?

In some cases, the patient gets impatient and does not follow the aftercare instructions given by their dermatologist. They may feel that the microdermabrasion treatment did not work because there is no visible difference on their skin even after a few days.

In other cases, they do not know that their skin type might be too sensitive to go through microdermabrasion treatment. In this case, the procedure might cause redness and swelling that could even lead to scarring.

In some cases also, there is a big possibility that the dermatologist did not do a good job in the procedure. It would be best to get a second opinion from a different dermatologist.

Precautions One Should Take Before And After Microdermabrasion

It is important to know that there are various skin types and not all dermatologists can treat all of them comfortably. It would be best to know the type of skin one has prior to undergoing microdermabrasion treatment so that they would know if the dermatologist they are going to see is capable of doing so.

It would be best too if one asks the dermatologist what kind of aftercare instructions he or she will give after the procedure. By knowing this information already, you can tell right away if the dermatologist does not have good bedside manners.

Before undergoing microdermabrasion treatment, one should know if they have a history of eczema or other skin allergies. If you have allergic reactions to certain medications then it would be best to consult your dermatologist first before undergoing microdermabrasion.

It is also important that the person gets tested for makeup allergies by a dermatologist before undergoing microdermabrasion, especially if the patient is applying makeup daily.

After undergoing microdermabrasion treatment, it is important that one follows the aftercare instructions given by the dermatologist. The skin will be sensitive at first and sun exposure should be avoided as much as possible for a few days to avoid hyperpigmentation.

It is also best to avoid having a facial done after microdermabrasion due to its sensitivity. The use of certain medications such as retinol, vitamin C, and glycolic acid should be avoided for at least two weeks or until the skin has fully healed from microdermabrasion. 

How To Choose A Dermatologist?

It is important to know if the dermatologist specializes in microdermabrasion or not before going to see him or her. This is also a sure way of achieving the best results from the treatment. For example, one should ask if the dermatologist they are seeing has undergone certain training conducted by skincare professionals. If yes, then this means that he or she is capable of doing the procedure properly.

One should also ask if the dermatologist has done it many times before and what kind of results his or her patients get from microdermabrasion.

It is important too to check out how updated their facility is because there are procedures that need special machines to perform and you should know that your dermatologist is up to date.

Lastly, one should also consider the location of the dermatologists’ place of the clinic. It would be best if it is near their home or workplace so they can always go back for checkups and such.

What To Do If Microdermabrasion Goes Wrong?

If the patient is not satisfied with their microdermabrasion treatment, it would be best to know what went wrong so that they would know if this procedure is suitable for them or not.

It is important to note though, that dermatologists usually do not accept returns of skincare products and treatments once they are opened because tampering may have occurred. It would be best to take a before and after picture of the area where microdermabrasion was done so that you can show it to another dermatologist for a second opinion or possibly file a claim if necessary.

Another possible step one could do is to ask the dermatologist if he or she has other colleagues who are capable of doing microdermabrasion.

If the dermatologist is not willing to do so or he or she also does not have other colleagues who can perform this procedure, it would be best to check out other skin clinics nearby for a second opinion from another dermatologist. It would be best to avoid going back to see the original dermatologist because chances are, he or she might not be willing to do anything about it.

Lastly, if the dermatologist is unhelpful and uncooperative then one should file a formal complaint about their treatment with the medical board of his or her state. Some states require patients to fill out a medical malpractice form before they can start the complaint process.

How To Understand That Microdermabrasion Went Bad?/ Symptoms Of Microdermabrasion Going Wrong

The main symptoms of microdermabrasion going wrong would be over-exfoliation and hyperpigmentation.

Over-exfoliation can cause the development of fine facial lines, and uneven skin texture, and extreme dryness. It is also accompanied by redness due to irritation from skincare products applied after treatment as well as from the sun.

Hyperpigmentation is caused by an overproduction of melanin and it may cause brown spots on parts of the face such as the cheeks, forehead, and around the lips. One might also see discoloration on their neck. Other than hyperpigmentation, one would also develop dark circles under his or her eyes.

Another symptom of microdermabrasion gone wrong would be the development of hives, itching, and swelling.

Allergies can also occur because of how sensitive one’s skin is after treatment especially if they have been exposed to chemicals from skin care products as well as allergens from the sun. If this happens then one should immediately stop using the skincare products and apply a moisturizer instead.

Key Takeaway Regarding Microdermabrasion Going Wrong

Understanding the science behind how your body reacts to microdermabrasion is important. If you want to know if it went wrong, pay attention to these symptoms. We hope that this blog post has helped you understand what goes into a successful treatment and what steps are necessary before and after.

We also discussed which questions you should be asking when looking for a dermatologist or deciding on whether or not to have microdermabrasion done at all.

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About the author

Amelia Varley
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I am Amelia Varley, a blogger, and beautician. Here you can see my skills which give you small ideas on understanding all the concepts with different themes. I love to write blogs on different topics, like health, beauty, home décor, Automotive, Business, Food, Lifestyle, etc.

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