Life is a beautiful journey, but it has a way of taking its toll, particularly on your skin. From sun exposure and damage to everyday encounters with pollution, your skin is put through quite a lot. But there are plenty of ways to care for your skin and help to rejuvenate for a younger looking and more importantly healthier feeling skin. Microdermabrasion is just one of these methods.

What is microdermabrasion and how can it help?

Dermabrasion was first developed as a way to improve skin areas that are affected by certain types of scars. It essentially involves sanding down the skin with a tool equipped with a high speed abrasive component, in order to allow a fresh, healthier layer of skin to shine through. It can be quite invasive, and numbing agents are typically required for the areas that will be targeted.

Microdermabrasion is much less aggressive. Much like a skin exfoliation regimen, it utilizes small crystals in order to remove old skin and rejuvenate your skin. Normally, a session can be completed in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. Because it is simpler and less invasive than dermabrasion, it is ideal for those who are not willing or able to take time after the procedure for healing, as any redness or peeling that results will disappear in the first 24 to 48 hours following the microdermabrasion procedure.

In both cases, you are left feeling lighter and brighter, with noticeable improvement in the tone of your skin.

Other avenues to consider for your skin

For many people, once they have had a pleasant and successful encounter with one type of cosmetic procedure, they are curious to find out about what else they can experience that will also give them the desired results. While for some this means going under the knife for a significant alteration, there are other far less invasive or aggressive options to consider as well.

Popular skin and cosmetic procedures
• Laser hair removal
  
  Sometimes you just can’t be bothered with shaving or waxing or plucking. It often feels like a waste of time to spend on getting rid of what you were naturally born with. Those with carefree spirits can just let it go, but if you prefer the smooth feel of being hairless, laser hair removal might be something worth considering. One survey has reported that 97% of women who rid themselves of their unwanted hair by way of a laser procedure reported satisfaction with the end result.
• Botox
  
  Botox is a technique used to temporarily smooth out the appearance of frown lines and other wrinkles in the face. It involves injecting the medicine into the skin and muscles. It is also used as prescription medication for lower limb muscles that are experiencing stiffness or spasticity. It is FDA approved, but there are still questions as to the extent that it can help other areas of the body.
• Chemical peels
  
  Chemical peels involve applying a peel solution that actually administers minor and controlled damage to the skin, initiating the skin’s regeneration properties. The old and dead skin eventually falls away, revealing the fresh layer of skin with improved appearance in sun damaged or otherwise scarred areas.
• Mole removal
  
  Mole removal can be an important aspect of practicing vigilance against skin cancer. While some people choose to have moles removed for cosmetic reasons, it is important to keep an open dialogue with your doctor or dermatologist in order to ensure that you and your skin remain the healthiest that you can be.

Whatever your reasons are for skin or cosmetic procedures, it is important to approach the issue from the right angle. Society has unrealistic and unrelenting standards of beauty that have an awful way of damaging too many people’s self esteem and self image. If you are considering some sort of procedure, give ample time and consideration to the decision ahead of time. You should be doing what feels right for yourself, not trying to attain someone else’s standards or expectations.