Newsletter

December 2011

What is Medical Microdermabrasion?

Medical microdermabrasion is the process of resurfacing the top layer of the skin to a precise depth by the combination of an exfoliation and vacuum process. By removing dead skin cells and stimulating blood flow, the deeper dermal level is stimulated to produce collagen and fibroblasts (collagen-producing cells), giving the skin a more supple, elastic appearance. The result is fresher, healthier, rejuvenated skin with enhanced surface quality.

Virtually anyone can benefit from microdermabrasion. It is a safe, non-invasive resurfacing technique that can be used on all skin types.

Clinical studies have shown microdermabrasion to be effective for acne, hyper-pigmentation (brown blotches), sun damage, fine lines, thick leathery skin, acne and superficial skin disorders. It can also be useful as part of combination treatments (with laser and light therapies) for sun damaged skin, as well as mild scarring.

Microdermabrasion treatments

The number of microdermabrasion treatments a patient requires can vary. I recommend six to 12 treatments, depending on the severity of the problem, with a maintenance treatment around once a month.

Microdermabrasion is a very superficial exfoliating treatment that is very comfortable, even relaxing.

How did microdermabrasion start?

The concept of microdermabrasion is very old. Ancient Egyptians applied abrasive masks of alabaster particles. For millennia, various substances have been used to peel, exfoliate, and rejuvenate the skin.

Modern microdermabrasion was developed in Italy in 1985. Its use became widespread in European countries, then in the US and beyond.

How does microdermabrasion compare to other treatments?

Skin resurfacing techniques such as dermabrasion, chemical peeling and the more recent technique of laser resurfacing have a history of working, but also the potential for significant complications such as scarring, pain, and days to weeks of downtime and infection. By contrast, microdermabrasion does not carry these risks.

The advantages of microdermabrasion include the following:

• The treatment is painless. Anaesthesia is unnecessary.
• The treatment can be repeated at short intervals.
• The procedure is simple and quickly performed.
• The treatment does not interrupt the patient's life.

What to watch out for

Not all microdermabrasion treatments are the same, so look out for a good nurse or therapist. A good microdermabrasion treatment of the face should last a minimum of 30 minutes. If it's the face and neck, it should last at least 45 minutes. A quick 'once over lightly' will not give you the results that this treatment can deliver.

Ask the therapist if she has a medical grade machine. In the end, you will know whether you are getting results, and that will help you decide whether to go back.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

It is well known that the Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of major illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer. It also helps prevent Alzheimer's disease and improves longevity.

The Mediterranean diet is typically high in fibre because of the emphasis on legumes, whole grains, fruit and vegetables. There is little red meat and plenty of fish. It also includes a high intake of olive oil, which is the component we want to look at more closely in this article.

Ingredients in olive oil

The important components of olives and olive oil that are most likely to give health benefits are the high levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and the polyphenol compounds.

When it comes to diseases and risk, it is not the total fat content of the diet that is important, but rather the type of fat. Diets that are high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids confer health benefits as opposed to those that contain polyunsaturated fats. The Mediterranean diet has a high fat content, with olive oil providing around 85% of this content.

Most of it is oleic acid. The Mediterranean diet has no trans fats like those found in processed foods, so there is no damage to arteries and cholesterol molecules are protected.

Polyphenol compounds are molecules that contain several carbon ring structures called phenols. These include tyrosinol, hydroxytyrosinol and oleuropein, which have numerous protective actions.

Olive oil includes:

• Oleic acid
• Carotenoids – beta-carotene, lutein
• Phenols – especially important are hydroxytyrosinol and oleuropein
• Smaller amounts of phenols – including caffeic and vanillic acid
• Squalene – antioxidant in skin against UV rays
• Vitamin E.

Health benefits of virgin olive oil

The benefits of virgin olive oil on health suggested by scientific studies include:

• Reduces triglycerides (bad cholesterol)
• Increases HDL (good cholesterol)
• Lowers LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) when it replaces saturated animal fat in diets
• Increases resistance of LDL to oxidation (damage that leads to disease)
• Improves glucose handling by the body in diabetes
• Improves dilation of arteries
• Reduces inflammation caused by eating saturated animal fats
• Reduces activity of monocytes (immune cells that participate in creating atherosclerosis)
• Reduces blood pressure
• Reduces abnormal heart rhythms
• Reduces rheumatoid arthritis via its anti-inflammatory effect
• Reduces blood platelet clumping (which can clot the blood), thus reducing the risk of attack and stroke
• Reduces clotting factors in the blood
• Acts as an antioxidant to prevent oxidation damage to tissues (oxidation and inflammation are behind all tissue damage, heart disease, stroke, cancer, etc.)
• Lowers incidence of cancer of the breast, bowel, prostate, pancreas and uterus
• Reduces inflammation.

What to look for when choosing olive oil

When you are looking for olive oil, make sure you choose 'virgin olive oil' or 'extra virgin olive oil' which have similar beneficial components.

The product called 'olive oil' contains a small percentage of virgin olive oil (5-10%) which is added to previously refined olive oil. The result is that there are fewer beneficial ingredients compared with virgin olive oil.

How much olive oil to eat

Being from Mediterranean stock myself, I usually advise people to use olive oil on all salads and in cooking. I also suggest drizzling olive oil and lemon juice onto steamed vegetables.

The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorised the use of health claims for olive oil. An FDA report states that a dose of two teaspoons (23g) daily as a replacement for the same amount of saturated animal fat can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Adoption of the Mediterranean diet with its fruit and vegetables, limited red meat and plenty of fish, whole grains, legumes and, of course, olive oil and olives (particularly black ones) increases one's life expectancy and prevents many diseases.