Microdermabrasion Gone Wrong: Burns, Scarring and Skin Damage
Microdermabrasion is intended to remove the top layer of dead skin cells using controlled exfoliation. The treatment can help improve skin texture, enlarged pores, age spots, fine wrinkles and the appearance of some superficial acne scars.The benefits of microdermabrasion can vary depending on the kind of skin concern being treated, but the most important matter is whether the skin is recovering as expected rather than becoming increasingly painful, showing signs of infection or failing to heal. The treatment is often described as relatively painless, although some temporary sensitivity may still occur.
If you have had a microdermabrasion treatment on your face and are experiencing unexpected side effects, you may be trying to understand what is normal or what your rights are.
In this guide, the experts at Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors explain the warning signs to look for, how treatment failings can cause injury, what evidence to preserve and when specialist legal advice may be appropriate.
What should skin normally look like after microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion uses a handheld device to exfoliate the outermost layer of skin. Southwark Council's A-Z of Special Treatments explains that the skin can appear red immediately after treatment, with this usually fading after a few hours.
Most people can therefore expect some temporary pinkness, tightness or sensitivity while the treated skin recovers. Light flaking may also occur over the following days.
The treated area should generally become less irritated as it recovers. Symptoms that become more painful, swollen or noticeable instead of improving may require further assessment.
What should recovery from microdermabrasion look like?
Recovery after microdermabrasion should generally move in the direction of improvement. Mild redness, sensitivity and light flaking can occur because the treatment removes dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin, leaving the treated area temporarily more sensitive.
The exact recovery time can vary depending on skin type, treatment intensity and how the skin responds.
The first few days
Immediately after treatment, the skin may look pink or flushed and feel slightly tight or sensitive. Some people may also experience mild swelling or flaking.
During this period, patients should follow the aftercare advice provided by their practitioner. This may include using a gentle moisturiser, applying sunscreen and avoiding irritating skincare and makeup products.
The Southwark Council A-Z of Special Treatments notes that redness can occur immediately after microdermabrasion and will usually fade after a few hours. Light flaking can also occur for 1-3 days post-treatment.
Around one week
By around a week after treatment, most short-term irritation should be noticeably improving.
The skin may still be more sensitive to sun exposure, so patients should continue to protect the treated area as exposing treated skin to UV rays can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Retinoids, strong exfoliating acids, waxing and chemical peels should not be restarted until the skin has recovered and any specific aftercare period advised by the practitioner has passed.
Redness, burning, swelling or pain that is becoming worse rather than settling should not simply be assumed to be normal recovery.
Two weeks and beyond
By this stage, the skin should generally have settled from the immediate effects of a routine treatment.
Persistent blistering, significant redness, dark or light patches, open areas or unexpected scarring may indicate that the skin has suffered more than temporary surface irritation.
Pigmentation changes and scars can take longer to improve, so the fact that a mark remains after two weeks does not necessarily prove that it is permanent. However, symptoms that remain significant or continue to worsen should be medically assessed.
If the skin is still painful, infected or failing to heal after several weeks, further treatment should not be undertaken simply because another session had originally been scheduled.
Who is not suitable for microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is suitable for many people, but it is not appropriate for every skin type or condition. A practitioner should assess the patient's skin, medical history and recent treatments before deciding whether the procedure should go ahead.
People may need to avoid or postpone microdermabrasion if they have:
Active acne
Active or inflamed acne can make the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to irritation. Treating areas with inflamed spots, pustules or broken skin may aggravate the condition and make recovery more difficult.
Microdermabrasion can sometimes be used to improve the appearance of mild acne scars, but it is not suitable for deep scars and should not be used over actively inflamed acne.
Sun exposure
Recent sun exposure can leave the skin more sensitive, particularly if it has become sunburnt. Microdermabrasion should not be carried out over sunburned or irritated skin because removing the top layer may worsen the damage.
Patients may also be advised to avoid sun exposure before and after treatment and use suitable sunscreen while the skin recovers.
Sensitive or damaged skin
People with very sensitive skin, active irritation, open wounds or a compromised skin barrier may not be suitable for treatment until the area has healed.
Recent chemical peels or other resurfacing treatments
Recent chemical peels, laser procedures, waxing or other exfoliating treatments can leave the skin more vulnerable to damage. A practitioner should establish when these treatments were carried out and whether enough time has passed for the skin to recover.
Certain medicines and skincare products
Retinoids and some other medicines or active skincare products can increase skin sensitivity. These should be discussed during the consultation so the practitioner can decide whether treatment should be delayed or modified.
A proper suitability assessment should take place before treatment. If a practitioner ignores clear risk factors and this leads to avoidable skin damage, it may be relevant when considering whether the expected standard of care was met.Who is not suitable for microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is suitable for many people, but it is not appropriate for every skin type or condition. A practitioner should assess the patient's skin, medical history and recent treatments before deciding whether the procedure should go ahead.
People may need to avoid or postpone microdermabrasion if they have:
Active acne
Active or inflamed acne can make the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to irritation. Treating areas with inflamed spots, pustules or broken skin may aggravate the condition and make recovery more difficult.
Microdermabrasion can sometimes be used to improve the appearance of mild acne scars, but it is not suitable for deep scars and should not be used over actively inflamed acne.
Sun exposure
Recent sun exposure can leave the skin more sensitive, particularly if it has become sunburnt. Avoid sun exposure for at least one week before treatment. Microdermabrasion should not be carried out over sunburned or irritated skin because removing the top layer may worsen the damage.
Patients may also be advised to avoid sun exposure before and after treatment and use suitable sunscreen while the skin recovers.
Sensitive or damaged skin
People with very sensitive skin, active irritation, open wounds or a compromised skin barrier may not be suitable for treatment until the area has healed.
Recent chemical peels or other resurfacing treatments
Do not use exfoliating products one week prior to microdermabrasion. Recent chemical peels, laser procedures, waxing or other exfoliating treatments can leave the skin more vulnerable to damage. A practitioner should establish when these treatments were carried out and whether enough time has passed for the skin to recover.
Certain medicines and skincare products
Retinoids and some other medicines or active skincare products can increase skin sensitivity. These should be discussed during the consultation so the practitioner can decide whether treatment should be delayed or modified.
A proper suitability assessment should take place before treatment. If a practitioner ignores clear risk factors and this leads to avoidable skin damage, it may be relevant when considering whether the expected standard of care was met.
What are the signs that microdermabrasion may have damaged the skin?
Possible signs of more significant injury include:
- Persistent or worsening redness rather than gradual improvement
- Blistering, burning or raw areas of skin
- Increasing pain or sensitivity
- Significant or prolonged swelling
- Dark or unusually light patches of skin
- Broken capillaries or noticeable bruising
- Unexpected scarring
- Discharge, heat or worsening inflammation that could indicate infection
These symptoms do not prove negligence by themselves. The cause of the injury and whether the treatment was performed to the expected standard will need to be considered.
What qualifications should a microdermabrasion practitioner have?
There is not one single national professional title that every person performing microdermabrasion in England must hold. The requirements can depend on the treatment offered, the location of the clinic and local licensing rules.
However, practitioners should have suitable training and be competent to carry out the treatment safely.
A recognised route is a Level 3 qualification in microdermabrasion treatments. VTCT lists a Level 3 Certificate in Micro Dermabrasion Treatments designed to provide the practical and theoretical skills required to carry out the procedure.
Training should cover more than how to operate the device. A competent practitioner should understand:
- How to assess different skin types and identify when treatment should be postponed
- How to select an appropriate treatment intensity
- How to recognise contraindications and relevant medical history
- How to prepare, use and maintain the equipment safely
- How to reduce infection risks
- What reactions are expected after treatment
- How to recognise complications and provide suitable aftercare
Patients may wish to ask about a practitioner’s training and experience before undergoing treatment. Qualifications alone do not guarantee that treatment will be performed correctly, but they can provide evidence that a practitioner has received appropriate training. If a practitioner lacks suitable training and this contributes to poor treatment decisions, inappropriate settings, inadequate aftercare or avoidable skin damage, this may be relevant when considering whether the expected standard of care was met.
What treatment failings can cause skin damage?
Problems can arise when the practitioner fails to adapt the treatment to the patient's skin or uses an inappropriate technique.
Potential failings may include:
- Using excessive suction or pressure
- Passing the device over the same area too many times
- Treating sensitive or already damaged skin too aggressively
- Failing to assess whether the patient's skin type is suitable
- Treating skin shortly after chemical peels, waxing or other procedures without appropriate consideration
- Failing to ask about retinoids or other products that may increase sensitivity
- Providing inadequate aftercare advice
- Failing to recognise or respond to complications
The circumstances will need to be independently assessed before any of these issues can be considered negligent.
What should you do if microdermabrasion has damaged your skin?
If symptoms are worsening rather than improving, contact the provider and seek appropriate medical advice.
Patients should also:
- Take dated photographs of the treated area
- Keep consultation, consent and treatment documents
- Save emails and messages exchanged with the provider
- Record when symptoms appeared and how they changed
- Keep records of GP, dermatologist or hospital appointments
- Retain receipts for medication, corrective treatment or other expenses
- Follow medical advice about skincare, sunscreen and when to avoid sun exposure
Avoid applying strong active products or arranging further resurfacing treatment until the skin has been medically assessed where significant damage is suspected.
When can skin damage amount to negligence?
An unwanted result does not automatically mean negligence has occurred. There must generally be evidence that the practitioner failed to meet the expected duty of care and that this failure caused avoidable harm.
Before treatment
The practitioner should assess suitability, explain material risks and realistic outcomes, and discuss reasonable alternatives. Relevant skin conditions, previous treatment, medications and sensitivity should be considered.
During treatment
The procedure should be performed using an appropriate technique and intensity for the patient's skin. Avoidable damage caused by excessive treatment may indicate that the expected standard was not met.
After treatment
Appropriate aftercare advice should be provided. If significant redness, infection, burns or other complications are reported, the practitioner should assess the problem and recommend or arrange further medical care where necessary.
What evidence should you preserve?
Good records can help establish what was agreed, how the procedure was performed and how the injury developed.
Photographs, treatment notes, consent forms, correspondence and medical records may all be relevant. Independent medical evidence can then help establish whether the outcome was a recognised complication or resulted from substandard treatment.
Our cosmetic surgery claims process explains how clinical records and independent expert evidence are used when investigating a claim. Further information is available in our guide to proving clinical negligence.
How can Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors help?
If microdermabrasion has caused avoidable burns, scarring, infection or other skin damage because a practitioner failed to meet their duty of care, Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors can assess whether there may be grounds to pursue compensation.
Our specialist team can obtain treatment and medical records, review photographs and correspondence, arrange independent medical evidence and deal with the provider or their representatives on your behalf.
Our cosmetic surgery compensation guide explains what may be considered when compensation is assessed. You can also read our guide to the steps involved in claiming compensation when cosmetic treatment goes wrong.
Cosmetic Surgery Solicitors has secured more than £10 million in compensation for clients and achieves an approximate 95% success rate in cases pursued after obtaining supportive medical evidence.
If you have suffered avoidable skin damage following microdermabrasion, consult our team for a confidential discussion about your circumstances. Call 0161 877 1066 or complete our online enquiry form to find out whether you may be able to make a claim.
