Anyone had a microdermabrasion facial?

[nikki1978]

And are they any good?

My skin is quite rubbish and has gotten worse now the winter is here. I have always had a t-zone that is covered in blackheads. I think I have very open pores or something but my nose is completely covered in them and they seem to be very inground as I can't squeeze them without nearly breaking my nose!

I am getting spotty on my chin recently too.

I don't have a skin care routine and rarely moisturise.

I was wondering if this was something that could get rid of these blackheads and revive my skin a bit so I can start taking care of it a bit more. Now I am in my 30's I figure I should start paying attention to my skin!

Bump

I've had Crystal Clear facials (brand of microdermabrasion) and they are v.good. Give you a deep exfoliation then mask after.

I would have a proper consultation first though, and they should patch test you before. A good therapist will tailor the treatment (concentrate on your T zone then 'extract' them, but may take a course if there is a lot of them)

Might not be the most relaxing (feels like your face is being hoovered) but gives visible results. I haven't had one in a while, but am using the No7 microdermabrasion scrub (recommended here) and that is v. good too

I hvae had one.
It helped a bit with black heads .Don't do what I did and have one in the morning and go to work in the pm, my face was like a beetroot!
Ask about a cathiodermie facial , I remember having one years ago and she squeezed the buggery out of my face, was marvellous.

Microdermabrasion is great for getting rid of black heads, but be careful if you have active spots as it might spead infection. Also it can bring out any spots 'brewing' so dont do it just before a big event.
In the meantime try a dr to give you a prescription of retinioc acid (tretinion)cream/gel which increases cell turnover and reduces oil so decreases blackheads - it also is antiaging because it also builds collagen in the skin and rectifies some enviromental dna damage. If not retinol is similar, but much much weaker, about 1 tenth the strength, but at least it is easily available to buy. Both can be a bit drying and irritating to the skin at first so use agentle oil free miosturiser and it can sensitise your skin to uv so you need uva/uvb protection, yes, even in this weather.

DO microdermabrasions help reduce open pores?

I used to use a home kit one in a silver tube that Natalie Imbrugliuglia advertised - L'Oreal I think

It was fab!

this one

in fact this thread has reminded me, I think I'm going buy some more

doesn't reduce open pores
nothing will actually make them smaller
you just have to keep them non plugged by using non blocking pore stuff
some creams/primers will disguise the look of open pores

agree with justkeepgoing tretinoin is the only thing that realy works, and would be good for blackheads and open pores.