I’m going to call it and say I’ve tried pretty much every facial treatment going. Largely because I’m curious, but also, it’s good to be able to offer advice to friends on what to try based on their skin concerns (once ‘less rosé’ has been ruled out). I recently tried microdermabrasion – the non-invasive treatment for deep exfoliation. The goal? Improve the sun damage to my skin and relieve a congested buildup of bumps along my jawline.
By Liz Hambleton
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1 The sensation was a little strange
Well, sort of like my face was being sanded and hoovered at the same time. It’s not painful though, in fact, after a while I had totally switched off. As the microdermabrasion machine (a tube that blasts your face with micro-crystals, then sucks the dead skin away) moved over my face, the sensation was brushing and sucking. That feeling heightened a little on the bonier areas of my face – mainly cheeks, jaw and forehead.
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2 My skin was slightly flushed after
I was pleasantly surprised to have nothing more than a rosy glow after the treatment. My skin was warm to the touch but the cooling lavender mask applied post-treatment helped to reduce any flushing. Full disclosure here – my skin can handle a lot and does rarely flush, so if you’re prone to redness, prepare to walk away from your appointment with a slightly pink face.
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3 The bumps disappeared in days
I have generically ‘good skin’, but I do struggle with bumps around my jawline because of blocked pores. I have to say that this area looked (and felt) noticeably smoother and clearer straight away. By day three, the bumps had pretty much cleared and didn’t begin building up again for around another month.
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4 I was glowing, but my skin was thirsty
I’m not one for slathering on rich products (I find serums better for my oily skin), but after microdermabrasion, my skin seemed to drink moisturiser. I was layering it over serum for the first few days to satisfy its thirst. My skin looked fresher than it had in a long time, and was literally glowing. My skincare products seemed to be doing their job a lot better, without needing to penetrate a layer of dead skin cells.
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5 Where to try it?
My top spots for microdermabrasion in London would be Primas MediSpa and Cosmetech Chelsea Private Clinic. Enjoy.
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FAQs
What does microdermabrasion feel like during the treatment?
You may feel like your face is being sanded and vacuumed at the same time. The sensation is brushing and sucking, and it can feel more intense on bonier areas like your cheeks, jaw and forehead. Most people do not find the experience painful and often switch off during the session.
What can you expect your skin to look like after microdermabrasion?
Your skin is likely to appear slightly flushed with a rosy glow just after the treatment. Warmth to the touch is normal, and a cooling mask often helps calm any redness. People prone to redness may notice a more visibly pink face immediately after the session.
How quickly do results show after microdermabrasion?
An improvement in skin texture can be seen straight away, especially in areas with bumps or congestion. By day three, bumps around the jawline can clear up noticeably, with results such as smoother and clearer skin often lasting for about a month.
Does your skin need extra care after microdermabrasion?
Yes, your skin may become thirstier for moisture and absorb products more deeply after microdermabrasion. It is common to layer moisturiser over serum for the first few days, as your skin will need extra hydration while it recovers and glows.
Where can you book microdermabrasion treatments in London?
You can book appointments at places like Primas MediSpa and Cosmetech Chelsea Private Clinic. Using Treatwell makes booking hassle-free and allows you to choose from a range of salons online, making the process simple and convenient.