Major contraindications - Do not proceed

Pregnancy - An increase in hormones can affect the skin during pregnancy, this can cause pigmentation. For this reason we advise against microdermabrasion as the skin could react in an unexpected manner making the condition worse. Advise clients to use a good sunscreen when outside to help prevent the pigmentation occurring. Wait 6-8 weeks after birth before performing microdermabrasion.

Cancer - We advise that you do not treat a client with Cancer, they should be in remission for at least 6 months prior to commencing a course of treatment. Microdermabrasion stimulates the blood flow and lymphatic drainage.

Grade 4 Acne - Clients with this level of acne should not be treated with microdermabrasion. If the skin is very congested with pustules and papules treatment would irritate the skin and spread bacteria.

Roaccutane - Roaccutane causes thinning of the skin, if your client is receiving Roaccutane treatment for acne, you must wait 6 months after discontinuing Roaccutane before performing microdermabrasion treatment.

Auto-Immune Disease - Used to describe a number of disorders where the body attacks its own cells and tissues, you should avoid treating a client suffering from an auto-immune disease as their immune system is compromised and their skin may not heal the same. There may also be an increased risk of infection.

Diabetes - ALL TYPES - Diabetes affects the nerves and circulation and the skin can take much longer to heal than normal.

Impetigo - A contagious bacterial skin infection, do not perform microdermabrasion.

Rosacea - Rosacea cannot be treated with microdermabrasion. (IPL is a good treatment to help with rosacea)

Shingles - Do not treat your client until the shingles are fully healed and clients are fully recovered.

Minor Contraindications - Proceed with caution and avoid affected areas

Skin disorders e.g. active acne, seborrheic dermatitis, herpes simplex (cold sores), eczema, keloid scars, telangiectasia (broken capillaries), raised moles, warts, skin tags, cuts, bruises and abrasions.

Health Condition/Medication info

This is by no means an exhaustive list. There are many medications and many side effects to medication. These are some of the medications/ skin issues we have encountered before. However, as always, please use your professional judgment to assess whether the client’s skin is suitable for treatment and if you have any concerns do not proceed and refer to their Doctor.

You can also look up medications following this link - https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/

DO NOT PROCEED WITH MD

ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) - If caused by Auto Immune - DO NOT PROCEED. If caused by other factors - Maybe - Get a Drs note and check with insurance

Prednisolone - Steroid treatment used to treat allergies, auto immune disorders, cancer)

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Disease - Disease that damages the thyroid gland (AUTO IMMUNE)

Multiple Sclerosis - Condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord (AUTO-IMMUNE)

Hydrocortisone - Steroid Medication - wait 6 months after last use.

Beflazacort - taken to treat Polymyositis – Chronic inflammation of the muscles

Retinoid Cream/Retin A - (very high in vitamin A) - waiting period of at least 6 weeks after discontinuing

Roaccutane/Isotetinoin (Intense Acne Treatment) - waiting period of 6 months before MD can be done.

Retinol - Discontinue use as thins the skin - 1% retinol is prescription grade so would advise to wait 6 months after last use. For 0.5% - Wait 3 months

Steroids - Can cause thinning of the skin

Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis - Chronic inflammatory disease of the intestine (AUTO IMMUNE)

Erythrosis Interfollicularis Colli – Severe form of broken capillaries.

Urticaria (Hives) - MD can’t treat, needs antihistamine & cooling skin preps. (AUTO IMMUNE)

Sjogren's Syndrome - Affects parts of the body that produce fluids. (AUTO-IMMUNE)

Celiac/Coeliac - Disease of the small intestine (AUTO-IMMUNE)

Lichen Planus - Inflammatory Skin Condition (THOUGHT TO BE AUTO-IMMUNE)

Hydroxychloroquine - Used for lupus & rheumatoid arthritis (AUTO-IMMUNE)

Lupus - Condition causing inflammation to the joints, skin and other organs - DO NOT PROCEED. However if it has not shown up on blood tests for the past 4 months for a client - then it’s ok to proceed with MD.

Methotrexate (Amethopterin) – Chemotherapy agent and immune system suppressant. Check with GP due to autoimmune disease. Only proceed if you have permission from Doctor

Raynauds Disease – affects blood circulation DO NOT PROCEED IF SECONDARY AS AUTO-IMMUNE, FINE TO PROCEED IF PRIMARY.

Grave's Disease - Causes the thyroid gland to produce to much thyroid hormone called Hyperthyroidism (AUTO IMMUNE)

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - Group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin and bones - prone to bruising

IVF - In Vitro Fertilisation - Hormonal changes will cause pigmentation

Blepharitis - Swollen and itchy eyelids - Wait for the infection to clear before performing MD treatment.

Anemia -  Not defined as auto immune , but can be caused by other auto immune diseases. You need to establish what has caused the anemia and if it is because of another contraindication - you will require a doctors note before treating

Steroids

DO NOT PROCEED WITH MD AS THEY CAN CAUSE THINNING OF THE SKIN

Wait 6 Months before proceeding with MD when taken orally or injected

Topical Steroid - 1 Month before proceeding with MD

Steroid Inhalers - FINE TO PROCEED WITH MD

Antibiotics - If client is taking antibiotics, we would recommend not to window for an MD treatment as it can cause antibiotic resistance when stopping and starting them

Fine to proceed with MD:

Pacemaker - device to control abnormal heart rhythms

Epilepsy - check if taking any medication number as may contraindicate

Thyroxine

Nerve Damage

Glaucoma - avoid the eye area

Bell's Palsy - type of facial paralysis / inability to control the facial muscles

Asthma

Ramapril- blood pressure tablets

Fragmin - prevents blood clots

Atorvastatin - medicine used to lower cholesterol

Duac – acne gel

Benzoyl Peroxide Gel – acne treatment - dries out the skin

Epiduo - treats acne/acne gel

Oxytetracycline - antibiotics for acne

Eumovate Cream - used for burns/blistering- avoid the affected area

Difene - used to relive pain/inflammation (DO NOT PROCEED IF TAKING FOR AN AUTO IMMUNE DISEASE)

Differin (Adapalene) - acne gel - if having an MD treatment first then wants to use the gel, wait 72 hours

Ladies that are breastfeeding - 6-8 weeks after birth

Ankylosing Spondylitis - Chronic condition where the spine and other areas become inflamed

PROCEED WITH CAUTION AS MAY CAUSE PIGMENTATION:

Lymecycline - (tetracycline antibiotics for acne)

Dianette

Tetrasyl – acne tablets or cream

Trimethoprim

FINE TO PROCEED UNLESS CLIENT IS TAKING STEROIDS

Thyroid Problems (which are not autoimmune related) - unless the client is taking steroids. All other tablets for Thyroid are okay unless the client is experiencing side effects from medication.

Fibromyalgia - muscle stiffness and joint pain - DO NOT PROCEED IF TAKING STEROID MEDICATION

PROCEED WITH CAUTION:

Erythromycin - (Acne treatment – This is a Macrolide Antibiotic)

Kidney Disease - Proceed with caution as this can turn into Auto Immune

Warfarin & Allopurinol - blood thinners - may cause bruising

Clopidogrel - blood thinners - may cause bruising

Asasantin Retard Capsules - blood thinners - may cause bruising

Erythromycin - acne treatment – this is a macrolide antibiotic

Sebaceous Hyperplasia – Papules (lumps) on the face – Avoid benign lumps.

SPMU/Microblading - AVOID AREA

Topical Acne Creams (other than the ones listed) - Suggest a 5 day window around each treatment, just to be safe. BUT if they are an antibiotic cream or have an exfoliant in them, then no – stick with the course prescribed.

Antibiotics for acne – If client is taking antibiotics, we would recommend not to window for an MD treatment as it can cause antibiotic resistance when stopping and starting them.

Differin - Acne Gel - Wait at least 6 weeks after discontinuing. If having an MD treatment first then wants to use the gel, wait 72 hours.

Adapalene - topical acne treatment - This can be in a lot of acne creams. Adapalene has Retinoid in so you need to wait at least 6 weeks after discontinuing.

Tamoxifen – Medication that prevents breast cancer FINE TO PROCEED WITH MD AS LONG AS CLIENT HAS BEEN IN REMISSION FOR 6 MONTHS.

Extra Info

Acne Vulgaris – as this is very active, the client needs to avoid MD until the flare-up has been addressed. If there is only a small area of the face affected by this, you can treat the rest of the face and just avoid the flare-up. Clients suffering with acne can often enjoy the best results from MD, as it can remove acne scarring 100% in around 6 treatments. 15-20 treatments may be required for severe scarring, but if the scarring is TOO severe/deep, they may not be fully removed.

Minimum Age - The minimum age we would recommend for MD treatment is 13 years old for treatment of teenage skin concerns. You will need to check with your insurance, gain a parent or guardian signature on the consultation form, and always have a parent or guardian present for the treatment.

Pigmentation - If the pigmentation is just topical(like sun damage or hormonal), it can come right off, but if it is too deep, MD will not work but could still reduce the appearance.

Stretch Marks– in order for them to be treated successfully, they need to still be pink and at least 6 months old. MD can make them look worse before they get better. For stretch marks that are very old/silver, MD will not work. Micro needling is the best treatment for these.

Broken Capillaries/Red Veins– avoid the area completely. The skin may be red, flushed and thin so an alternative treatment is best for the affected area (maybe acid peels).

Tattoo's - Tattoo pigment is sat much deeper in the skin than microdermabrasion would affect. The most important thing is to use a very good SPF as tattoo's can fade in the sun. 

Under 16's - Parental/guardian consent is required, also check with your insurance. Ensure parent/guardian signs the consultation form and is present for the duration of the treatment. Perform the treatment on a low level. DO NOT TREAT ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 12.

Male Clients - Men should close shave the night before for an AM appointment, or in the morning if the treatment is PM.

Asian/Black Skin - NEVER use higher than level 2 on the face - Risk of post inflammatory pigmentation

Pregnant Therapist - A pregnant therapist can perform the treatment but cant receive a treatment until 6-8 weeks after birth. This is due to hormonal changes and the increased risk of pigmentation.

Giving Blood - 4 months is the waiting period before having an MD treatment

Chemical Peels - If 20% strength or less, clients need to allow 1 week before having MD. If the percentage is stronger, they need to allow 4 weeks.

Cheek Implants - waiting period of 6 months before MD

Micro Current - Wait 1 week before performing MD

Dermaplaning - Wait 1 week before performing MD

Microblading - Wait until completely healed

RF can be done straight after MD if client can tolerate, if not then wait 2-3 days after MD & RF can be performed. This can be alternated.

HIFU Treatment - Wait 1 week after treatment before having MD.

Light Therapy - Ok to proceed with Light Therapy straight after MD/ Hydro

Elemis -Tri-Enzyme' Wash - Helps with pigmentation - Wait for 72 hours as it is a resurfacing treatment

Tretinoin - Wait for 6 months of discontinued use

Agera - Helps with pigmentation - Wait 72 hours before and after an MD treatment to use

Metal Plates - Fine to proceed, okay to work over

Agera - Helps with pigmentation - A skincare range great for pigmentation

*Pre*-Treatment Advice

We recommend that clients adhere to the following advice prior to commencing treatment:

Botox/Dermal Fillers/Skin Boosters 'Profhilo'- Allow 2 weeks before performing microdermabrasion, including any touch up injections, to allow Botox/fillers to settle. 48 hours is the waiting period after MD before having Botox.

Men - should close shave the night before a treatment if the treatment is in the morning, or in the morning if the treatment is in the afternoon.

Laser Treatments - A course of laser treatments cannot run concurrently with a course of SkinBase microdermabrasion treatments. Please allow at least 2 weeks before commencing microdermabrasion after completing a course of Laser.

Skin Needling - Do not use for 4 weeks prior to microdermabrasion treatment.

Electrolysis - Hair Removal, wait 4 weeks before having MD

Cheek Implants - Wait 6 months before having MD

Chemical Peels - If 20% strength, clients need to allow 1 week before having MD. If the percentage is stronger than 20%, they need to allow waiting period of 4 weeks.

Microcurrent - Wait 1 week after MD before having microcurrent. If wanting microcurrent first, wait until the skin is completely cooled down and all redness has gone (know your clients tolerance).

SPMU/Microblading - Wait 4 weeks before having MD (including top ups) or until completely healed, whichever is longest. Wait at least 48 hours after MD for Microblading.

Derma Rollers - If a lighter treatment wait 2 weeks before having MD, deep treatments will require a 4 week waiting period.

Waxing - Allow 24 hours before waxing after an MD treatment. After waxing, you will need to wait 24-36 hours (base this on how your client reacts /sensitivity to waxing)

Laser/IPL - allow 2 weeks before having MD treatment, a 1 week waiting period is required after MD before IPL can be performed on the area.

Lip Bleeching/Lightening Creams - Wait 72 hours before having an MD treatment.

Aftercare Advice

For 12 Hours after treatment:

No heavy Makeup.

For 24 Hours after treatment:

No swimming, no facial waxing.

For 48 Hours after treatment:

No sauna, sun beds or sun exposure. No ‘Botox’, collagen injections or dermal fillers.

For 72 Hours after treatment:

Do not use anti-ageing creams, AHA’s, Glycolics or Retinol.

Do not use exfoliating products, the newly abraded skin is receptive to any products applied, so the use of any exfoliants after treatment can irritate the skin.

At all times during a course of treatment:

SPF 15 minimum must be applied and exposure to U.V. should be avoided. Regular moisturiser applications are vital to replenish moisture and prevent the skin from becoming dry and peeling.

Products must be between pH 4.5 and 7

Skin care products that contain a high percentage of botanicals and essential oils are UNSUITABLE for use after microdermabrasion treatment as some of the ingredients contained may cause an allergic reaction. Should this occur, there is a real danger of both the therapist and client thinking that it is the treatment they are allergic to, where it is actually the ingredients within the skin care preparations. It is important that products are used that replace or add moisture back to the skin to stop the skin becoming dry or peeling.