Microdermabrasion - BAD IDEA?!!

[Cassie4u22]

So I am beginning to believe that having this microdermabrasion done to clear a few shallow scars, shrink my pore size/reduce oil and clear up my VERY mild acne was a very bad idea. It has now been nearly a week and a half after I received my first treatment along with my regimine of Renova and Neostrata, and my skin hasn't looked this horrible since I went on Accutane four years ago. I am so broken out now - red, painful whiteheads all over my forehead, cheeks, and chin. Plus, I have dry, scaly red patches that are scabbing over all on my face as well. My face was just fine before I started all this - a few tiny pimples once a month, but it was more than tolerable. Now I don't even want to step outside the house!! :-( I have my next micro appt. scheduled for Monday (that will be two weeks since my last one)... should I cancel? Should I stop the Renova/Neostrata? Should I just stop the micro all together??! Or do I need to just stick with it all and hope this is just a really extreme intial "clearing" of the skin? I am feeling really saddened by this, my face is a reck! HELP! -Cassie

[SuzyB0731]

hmm well just from my own personal experience i didnt like microdermabrasion b/c it didnt really make my face as smooth as i expected, didnt get rid of my acne scars (although they are shallow) and reduced the size of my pores but only for a few months. dont worry the acne will go away, it did that to me too but it should be gone in a little bit. just dont stress about it b/c that'll make it even worse (although i know that is much easier to say than do)
in my opinion, i looove chemical peels - they've worked really well for me in getting rid of scars and im on the accutane now, and i'm still getting them and im ok! good luck! everyone is different but dont worry ur current break out will fade soon

[skimom]

Originally Posted by SuzyB0731

hmm well just from my own personal experience i didnt like microdermabrasion b/c it didnt really make my face as smooth as i expected, didnt get rid of my acne scars (although they are shallow) and reduced the size of my pores but only for a few months. dont worry the acne will go away, it did that to me too but it should be gone in a little bit. just dont stress about it b/c that'll make it even worse (although i know that is much easier to say than do)
in my opinion, i looove chemical peels - they've worked really well for me in getting rid of scars and im on the accutane now, and i'm still getting them and im ok! good luck! everyone is different but dont worry ur current break out will fade soon

what kind of peels are you getting? i'm surprised that you can continue this while on accutane.

[kitkat77]

OMG. When you are having microdermabrasion treatments, you are NOT supposed to be using anything else on your skin!!!!! The person who is doing the microdermabrasion was supposed to inform you of this!!!

Microdermabrasion is HIGHLY dehydrating and you should have been told to drink lots of water -- were you not told this either? The other products you are using are also dehydrating your skin so you've done a real number on yourself, unfortunately. You have thrown the PH balance of your skin totally out of whack!!!!

You need to stop EVERYTHING until your skin heals, and then choose only ONE method of treating your skin. Many people are under the assumption that if you combine treatments it'll all work that much better and faster, but it actually does the opposite.

Please drink lots of water to help heal your skin faster, and you can also help your PH balance by spritzing or splashing a mixture of water and vinegar on your face, twice daily. 75% water -- 25% vinegar.

[Cassie4u22]

The doctor doing my micro treatments PRESCRIBED the Renova and Neostrata to me to use! I am getting the treatments done at a plastic sugeon's office so I valued whatever they told me to use on my face...HA, big mistake!! Yes, I discontinued using the Renova and Neostrata about two days ago, and as soon as I did, my "breakouts" (which I have since learned are just extreme inflammation, not acne) completely started to disappear, and the redness and flakiness is diminishing. My face still feels to the touch like one big "scab," but things are looking better nevertheless. Should I complain and stop getting treatments from this woman??? I am beginning to wonder if she really knows what she is doing!! I mean, I am paying $800 out of pocket for this (I am a college student, so I really dont have the money to do this in the first place) so I don't want it to be a waste of my money. Should I maybe take my business to a dermatologist office instead??