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Looking for an Effective and Lucrative treatment to add to your spa menu? Then consider microdermabrasion, a skin-resurfacing treatment that visibly reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles, sun and age spots, acne scarring, and pore size. A staple in many spas, this popular treatment offers a variety of benefits that relate to both skincare and your bottom line.
What Is Microdermabrasion?
Traditional microdermabrasion is a skin resurfacing technique that features the use of fine corundum crystals, also known as aluminum oxide, to remove the outer layers of the epidermis. The technique—offered in spas, salons, and doctor's offices—employs the use of a handpiece to simultaneously spray and vacuum the crystals across the skin and has often been compared to a gentle 'sand-blast' process for the skin.
Microdermabrasion was developed in Italy in the mid-1980s as a clinical way to treat the raised scars of burn victims and visibly smooth their skin. Doctors quickly noticed dramatic cosmetic improvements to skin resurfaced with microdermabrasion and began testing the treatment on men and women to reduce acne scars, pigment discoloration, and fine lines and wrinkles. After extensive clinical tests proved its efficacy and safety, microdermabrasion was reclassified as a spa treatment in the U.S. in 1998. Over the past eight years, microdermabrasion machines have gradually dropped in cost and, as a result, are now attainable for even more spa and salon owners.
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Why Microdermabrasion?
First and foremost, microdermabrasion can benefit all clients regardless of their skin type or ethnicity. Unlike treatments that utilize exfoliating chemicals, resurfacing lasers, or pulsed light, microdermabrasion is safe and effective for almost everyone, including clients with sensitive, aging/mature, and even acneic skin conditions. The results of microdermabrasion are instant as well as cumulative, meaning that repeat client visits are virtually guaranteed. After all, every client looks for safe and effective ways to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, pore size, and hyperpigmentation, as well as to improve overall skin texture and radiance.
Incorporating microdermabrasion into your spa menu can also be lucrative. In fact, it has been shown to increase a spa's profitability by up to 50 percent, as it allows for a variety of treatment and product upsells. For example, instead of offering standard manicures, pedicures, and body treatments, why not upgrade your nail and body services by incorporating microdermabrasion for anti-aging benefits? Doing so allows you to increase the price of the service while providing your clients optimal results. In addition, a variety of handheld devices present the perfect introduction for spas to add microdermabrasion services and retail products to their menus and retail areas. Once their success has generated additional revenue, a microdermabrasion machine can be purchased more easily.
This is the ideal time to open up your business to microdermabrasion. The proliferation of at-home microdermabrasion kits has significantly increased consumer awareness of the treatment, resulting in consumers who are more apt than ever to try its in-clinic counterpart. Plus, exciting advances are improving upon the already effective resurfacing technology. New microdermabrasion machines and techniques are hitting the market incorporating different state-of-the-art skincare modalities to dramatically improve skin health and appearance.
The most important thing to remember before starting your microdermabrasion business is the absolute need for in-depth, thorough staff training, both practical and theoretical. Microdermabrasion and its individual results clearly rely on the skincare technician's skill and technique. However, it is a professional procedure that can be learned and mastered fairly quickly.
Amby Longhofer is the founder and CEO of Dermanew, a global leader in skincare with a full product line that not only includes signature microdermabrasion kits for specific skincare types, but also a line of essential cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and more. Dermanew is available at spas and salons nationwide and at www.dermanew.com.