Microdermabrasion and Microneedling

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Lake Forest, Glenview and Grayslake, IL

Rejuvenating the appearance, texture, and overall well-being of the skin is a goal that many people share. Fortunately, microdermabrasion and microneedling are two minimally invasive treatments that can help you achieve just that! These treatments work in different ways to address facial scarring, visible signs of aging, and other concerns.

Microdermabrasion gently scrubs the outermost layer of your skin to remove dead and damaged cells, address superficial concerns, and reveal a fresher and brighter-looking complexion. (1) Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-wounds, which stimulate your natural healing processes and new collagen growth. (2)

Northwestern Medicine is one of Chicago’s premier medical groups serving patients across the Midwest and beyond. Our team includes highly distinguished dermatologists, and nurses, all bringing years of experience and specialized expertise to the practice.

To schedule a consultation at any one of our offices, please give us a call.

About Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing treatment that exfoliates the outermost layers. This treatment uses a crystal-encrusted wand to effectively address a range of different skin concerns in a single appointment. Because of its high effectiveness and wide availability, microdermabrasion is one of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in the country, with skin experts, aestheticians, and nurses performing hundreds of thousands of treatments year after year. (1)

About Microneedling

Microneedling is a skin-remodeling treatment that can boost your skin’s internal collagen and elastin levels by stimulating a natural healing response. This treatment uses a device with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries. These tiny injuries prompt your body to produce collagen and elastin fibers, improving the appearance, elasticity, and texture of your skin over time. (3)

Benefits

Microdermabrasion and microneedling both offer several benefits, including:

  • Minimally Invasive: These treatments can produce significant results while avoiding the need for linear incisions or general anesthesia.
  • Little-To-No Downtime: You can return to your daily activities soon after your appointment.
  • Softened Signs of Aging: Your skin expert can perform both microdermabrasion and microneedling to reduce the appearance and depth of any creases, wrinkles, or fine lines.
  • Safe for All Skin Types: Our team can safely perform both treatments on all skin types and tones.
  • Improved Product Absorption: After a microdermabrasion or microneedling treatment, skincare products can penetrate deeper into the skin for enhanced effects.
  • Tailored Treatment Plans: Our skin experts customize treatment plans according to each patient’s unique concerns and skin type.

Candidates

You may be a good candidate for microdermabrasion and microneedling if you struggle with any of the following concerns:

  • Facial Scars
  • Uneven Tone
  • Uneven Texture
  • Enlarged Pores
  • Fine Wrinkles (1)
  • Early Signs of Aging (2)

You should be in good general health and hold realistic expectations regarding the outcome of your treatment. Your dermatologist will assess your candidacy during your personal consultation and recommend the best approach for your case.

Personal Consultation

During this visit, your dermatologist will review your medical history, ask you about your concerns, and assess your skin. They will then use the details of your conversation to choose the most effective and suitable treatment plan for your needs.

Your dermatologist will share a comprehensive explanation of the procedure, including preparation steps and what to expect afterward.

Please give us a call and schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Glenview or Lake Forest.

Preparation

Preparing for microdermabrasion and microneedling is fairly straightforward. Your dermatologist will provide you with a set of comprehensive instructions, which may direct you to:

  • Discontinue using certain blood-thinning medications or supplements.
  • Refrain from using any harsh skincare products that may affect your skin’s natural barrier.
  • Avoid using any tanning products, as well as unprotected or excessive sun exposure.
  • Arrive at your appointment with clean skin.

Procedure

When you arrive for your appointment, your nurse will direct you to a private treatment room. They will reconfirm each of your desired improvements and cleanse your skin to remove any residual products, oils, or impurities. They will then proceed to perform your microneedling or microdermabrasion treatment.

Microneedling Procedure

Your nurse will use a small, handheld device that features several rows of fine needles to perform this treatment. They will pass the device over the treatment area to create small, controlled microchannels on your skin’s surface. These channels will prompt your body to produce new collagen, restoring your skin’s texture, firmness, and health. Your nurse will repeat this process until they evenly treat the entire region. They will then apply a serum or ointment to soothe your skin.

Microdermabrasion Procedure

The nurse will perform your treatment by moving a crystal-encrusted, handheld wand over your targeted areas. The crystals will exfoliate the outermost layer of skin to remove any dead cells before the wand suctions them away. This process will help stimulate new collagen production, soften visible signs of aging, and reveal fresher layers of skin.

Recovery

After microneedling, you may experience some redness or flaking in the treated regions throughout your initial healing period. As this occurs, you will need to refrain from touching your face, picking or scratching at your skin, or applying makeup. You should wear appropriate sun protection when going outdoors and avoid excessive or direct sun exposure. You should also avoid extreme heat, like going in saunas or hot tubs.

Your nurse will give you a full set of instructions during your consultation.

Results

Microdermabrasion offers immediate improvements to your skin’s health and clarity, while microneedling offers gradual results that will develop as your collagen levels continue to rise.

Microdermabrasion can leave your skin feeling softer and looking more radiant and clear. By addressing issues such as visible aging, uneven tone, discoloration, and enlarged pores, this treatment enhances your complexion’s overall brightness and smoothness.

Microneedling can help you achieve a more youthful, refreshed, and tighter complexion. By improving skin firmness and smoothing its texture, this treatment effectively addresses signs of aging, reduces pigmentation irregularities, and minimizes the appearance of facial scarring.

Cost of Microdermabrasion and Microneedling in Chicago

At Northwestern Medicine, we personalize each patient’s treatment according to their skin type and concerns, which means the pricing will vary. During your personal consultation, your skin expert will provide you with a price outline that reflects the details of your treatment plan.

To learn more about microdermabrasion and microneedling treatment options, give us a call and schedule your consultation.

FAQ

What is the difference between microdermabrasion and microneedling?

Microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing procedure that uses a handpiece equipped with abrasive crystals to gently exfoliate the outermost surface of the skin. Microneedling is a skin remodeling treatment that creates microwounds on the skin’s surface to prompt neocollagenesis.

What skin concerns can these treatments address?

Both microdermabrasion and microneedling can address concerns such as an uneven tone, uneven texture, acne scars, melasma, and visible signs of aging.

How long is the recovery after microdermabrasion and microneedling?

You will be able to return to your daily activities soon after undergoing either microdermabrasion or microneedling, as neither treatment requires minimal downtime.

Do microdermabrasion or microneedling treatments require anesthesia?

You will not need any anesthesia for microdermabrasion, but you may receive a topical anesthetic for microneedling.

Are the results of microdermabrasion and microneedling permanent?

The results of these treatments are not permanent, but they can be sustained for several weeks or months with diligent sun protection and a consistent skin care routine.

References

  1. Shah M, Crane JS. Microdermabrasion. Nih.gov. Published June 28, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535383/#article-25105.s4
  2. Litchman G, Nair PA, Badri T, Kelly SE. Microneedling. Nih.gov. Published September 26, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459344/#article-38285.s4
  3. Jaiswal S, Sugat Jawade. Microneedling in Dermatology: A Comprehensive Review of Applications, Techniques, and Outcomes. Cureus. 2024;16(9). doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.70033