Microdermabrasion: How Does It Work?

Microdermabrasion is a process of mechanical exfoliation used to treat the skin with acne scars, fine lines, and age spots. It is the application of tiny rough grains to buff away the surface layer of the skin. This procedure is usually done to the face, chest, neck, arms, and hands.

Microdemabrasion machines work just as an electronic vacuum for the skin. Initially the machine sends crystals to the skin surface at a high speed to promote the exfoliation on the skin, and then the used crystal along with the exfoliated skin is sucked away. This process occurs when the top of the wand touches the skin and the circuit of pumping and suction is closed, therefore this process is called closed system microdermabrasion. 

Tips On How To Avoid Sun Damage

Here are some suggestions to better care for your skin and avoid sun damage:


• Wear sunscreen daily, all year long 
• Avoid tanning between 10 am and 3 pm 
• Wear sunscreen even if you are in the pool, being inside the water does  
not mean you are not tanning 
• Wear sunglasses that have UV filter 
• Apply SPF 30 minutes prior to going outside 
• Reapply SPF every two hour when exposed to the sun


Protecting the skin from sun damage is the bet anti-aging treatment. Tanning booths will also cause damage to the skin, therefore tanning responsibly and during the correct hours is the best alternative to beautiful, healthy and young looking skin.

Choosing the Correct Sunscreen

The age of the skin is not the same as the age of a person, which will depend on how the person takes care of the skin, and the best treatment is protection. Sun exposure can cause both short and long term effects on the skin. We cannot avoid being exposed to the sun, and we need the sun for vitamins, therefore protecting your skin daily is the best alternative.


Having a sunscreen is essential if you want to keep your skin healthy, therefore you should choose carefully the correct SPF for your skin. The SPF stands for "sun protection factor" and that represents how long a person can stay out in the sun without burning while using the product. For instance, SPF 4 means four times as long, and that period of time will vary from person to person.


Every person has their own MED, minimal erythemal dose, which means how much times passes without the skin turning red from irritation. Everyone has different skin and different tolerance to the sun exposure and the results will vary from person to person. However, SPF 15 will provide a fairly high amount of protection, it blocks about 94% of UVB light, however, it does not guarantee the skin to be free from any sun damage. If you feel you need a higher SPF, visit a dermatologist so they can recommend you the correct protection. You do not want to buy a high SPF by yourself because the higher the SPF the more chemicals it contains.


The only FDA approved sunscreens are the broad spectrum sunscreens; they protect against UVA and UVB. A good broad spectrum sunscreen should contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

The Effects Of The Sun On The Skin Part II

Exposure to the sun, have both short and long term effects on the skin

The short effects are redness and sensitivity to the touch, which is caused by the dilation of blood vessels and stimulation of the nerve ending in the skin. Not only that, but the skin will peel due to the extreme dryness. Just like a cookie over baked in the oven, the skin will be dehydrated due to too much sun exposure.

The long term effects include hyperpigmentation, dark splotching, which can also be a short term effect depending on the skin, and that is the first sign of aging of the skin.

Clhoasma is another effect, also known as "liver spots", these are dark brown patches on the skin. Clhoasma can suddenly appear, especially in women after years of sun exposure.

"Sun spots", or Tinea Versicolor, are white splotches that appear usually on the chest after over sun exposure, and that is a fungal condition, which can be treated.

The signs and effects of the sun might not be visible at first, however it will appear in the long run, not only that but infections are trigged by sun exposure such as herpes, lupus, which are usually diagnosed after sun exposure.

Since we cannot avoid the sun, and we actually need it for vitamins, the best option is to protect the skin. Taking proper care of your skin, and using the correct skin products can help you have a healthy skin, however the best anti aging treatment is protection: always wear sunscreen, most skin damage is due to day-to-day exposure, therefore sunscreen is a year round consideration, not only for the summer.

The Effects Of The Sun On The Skin Part I

Did you know that the sun is the worst enemy of the skin?
The sun is the greatest aging factor and by the age of 18 a person has damaged the skin by 80% because of the sun exposure. Exposure to the sun also causes premature aging, severe skin damage, and skin cancer.

The sun creates free radicals, which causes cell damages, resulting in the destruction of the collagen and elastin. This process can also alter the DNA, and eventually result in skin cancer.

The sun projects UV rays and these rays are extremely dangerous to the skin. 
The UVB rays are the shorter rays; they cause the burning, or the tanning on the skin. They can only penetrate the epidermis, the visible layer of the skin. However, the UVA rays can penetrate the epidermis, which is the deeper layer of the skin. The UVA rays are the ones responsible to cause aging.