My First (Almost) Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion always sounded to me like an intense, scary procedure that women sought out when their skin started showing signs of age. I may not have wrinkles (yet) but I am 33 and I’m dedicated to looking like a stunner when I’m in my Tina Turner years. If I could go back 10 years, I’d tell my 23 year old self to start using anti-aging skincare. And now that I’m in my early 30’s, I’m all about preventative skincare measures and trying out things I’d never tried before.

This is me with no makeup besides a little eyeliner and lipstick residue that didn’t come off during the cleansing part, immediately after the SilkPeel.

When I was invited to come to Dr. Amy Taub’s Advanced Dermatology to experience the SilkPeel procedure, I was a little wary but a LOT excited. The SilkPeel is one of those facial treatments that Hollywood actresses get before walking the red carpet. It’s similar to a microdermabrasion but not quite the real deal Holyfield, according to the press release, “The SilkPeel is a 20-minute service that combines high-quality diamond-assisted microdermabrasion with a simultaneous delivery of potent topical serums deep into the surface of the skin.” I LOVE serums. So I was totally on board.

Advanced Dermatology is not in downtown Chicago. It’s in the suburb of Lincolnshire, on the second floor of a classy little strip mall there. It’s a clean, beautiful space – out in the middle of nowhere for city dwellers like me. Upstairs there’s the med spa space, and downstairs there’s a store where you can purchase all your high end after treatment needs.

From the moment I saw the products that would be used on me, I was EXCITED. Elure, SkinMedica, and SkinCeuticals – oh my! All professional grade products that I’ve read so much about. I’m especially obsessed with Skinceuticals – their ferulic acid serum is next on my list of must-trys. So this skincare geek got excited about the possibilities.

Everything I’ve tried by SkinCeuticals has been amazing, seriously.

The SilkPeel promised to exfoliate my skin, help with sun damage, lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. It exfoliates, it hydrates, it stimulates cellular growth. They recommended I sign up for three treatments, two to four weeks apart, to see significant results.

For the SilkPeel, it entailed cleansing my face, then applying a mask for 10 minutes, and then the SilkPeel device was used to target marks and imperfections and to stimulate collagen.

It kinda feels like a little vibrating toothbrush on your face. If you’re used to using a Clarisonic or exfoliating device, it shouldn’t bother you at all. After that I was moisturized, sunscreen was applied (SPF 30) and under eye cream for my dark circles. This is me with my mask on!

Not the most flattering shot. ANYWAY, this is me immediately after the SilkPeel. So fresh and so clean!

So how did the SilkPeel work for me?

I REALLY liked how my skin looked and felt to the touch immediately afterwards. For about a week it was like my skin was illustrated by a Pixar animator. The usual bumps and rough patches and open pores were either gone, or much less apparent than before. I did notice that my skin felt more sensitive – it was like I had gotten a slight sunburn. That lasted for maybe a week and a half.

Would I do a SilkPeel again? Totally. Dr. Taub’s team also gave me some helpful insight to my hyperpigmentation – turns out I should be visiting a dermatologist more regularly, for potent not-over-the-counter salicylic acid beta peels. No at-home product can replicate those pro grade results. Will I eventually get real actual microderm done? I’m so certain. And when I do, I’ll break it all down for you!