The microdermabrasion is a cosmetic treatment that removes the outer layers of the skin. This procedure involves performing a mechanical peel with a diamond-tipped machine or tips made of aluminum crystal.
Choosing the right device to buy is crucial because, in the case of purchasing an unsuitable one, the before-and-after results can vary significantly, making it, for example, only useful for superficially rejuvenating the skin, removing acne, or, if chosen correctly, acting on deeper layers and not just the stratum corneum or superficial layer.
In addition, home microdermabrasion works very well, but you can also opt for the professional version, which is performed in aesthetic clinics. This one, as it is done with higher-quality devices, has a much more intense rejuvenating effect, and can be done on the face, on stretch marks on the body, or even with lasers.
Since there are different options and treatments you can choose from, let’s explain everything below and give you the keys to doing it correctly, both at home and in a beauty center.
Contents
What is microdermabrasion and what is it for
It is a procedure that performs a sweep over the outer layer of the epidermis. Microdermabrasion is a mechanical peel, it does not use cosmetic acids like chemical peeling, and its results are gentler, although its intensity can be adjusted.
Microdermabrasion is used to:
- Eliminate wrinkles.
- Treat acne.
- Remove facial spots.
- Eliminate stretch marks.
- Remove scars.
- Treat actinic keratosis, melasma, etc.
- Rejuvenate the skin.
- Eliminate the aged appearance of hands, face, and décolletage, etc.
- Make the skin smoother.
The entire function of microdermabrasion consists of removing the outer layers of the skin, causing the aging cellular tissue to be renewed.
After a microdermabrasion session, the formation of new collagen and elastin fibers is stimulated, producing a firming effect that eliminates wrinkles, evens the skin tone, and if done on the body, also helps to remove stretch marks or treat keloid and atrophic scars.
It is essentially a treatment to rejuvenate the skin, making imperfections, small wrinkles, and facial spots that may have appeared due to the sun or age disappear in just a few sessions.
The name “microdermabrasion” comes from “micro” because it uses microcrystals of diamond or aluminum, and “dermo” because it is for treating the skin. The term “abrasion” refers to the abrasion or removal of the stratum corneum of the epidermis through contact, meaning with the tip of the machine that is passed over the skin.
Benefits before and after
- Smoother skin.
- Lighter and rosier facial tone.
- Disappearance of facial spots.
- Elimination of wrinkles.
- Fewer pimples, blackheads, and acne breakouts.
- Reduces enlarged pores.
- Works against dark, red, and white stretch marks.
The benefits of microdermabrasion are remarkable. Its results make most people form positive opinions, frequently recommending it to others.
This is because it produces facial and body exfoliation, renewing the cellular tissue. Something that makes you look younger.
The greatest advantages and benefits occur when microdermabrasion with a diamond tip is used, with noticeable before and after results (see photos).
Microdermabrasion treatments
There are several types of microdermabrasion treatments, with the most interesting being diamond tip or the so-called Hydro microdermabrasion.
Below, we list all the microdermabrasion treatments available:
- Diamond tip.
- Hydro.
- Homedics.
- Neutrogena.
- Kiehls.
- Mary Kay.
- Neutrogena.
Microdermabrasion machines
These are the most used as they achieve better results than creams. They can be used to rejuvenate the skin, remove acne scars, eliminate wrinkles, and as a treatment for sun spots.
Below, we list the best microdermabrasion machines:
Diamond tip
It is the most demanded because its results are very good. Microdermabrasion with a diamond tip can be done with a home device or you can choose to have the session in a center.
A few years ago, microdermabrasion devices were very expensive, which is why most people went to the professional. However, today the prices have dropped significantly, making diamond-tip microdermabrasion much cheaper and more affordable to do at home. Check the prices of diamond-tip microdermabrasion:
Hydro
It is a variation of the one done with a diamond tip, but it includes the application of moisturizing serums and cosmetic substances to accelerate the recovery of the epidermis.
With Hydro microdermabrasion, you can choose the substances that will be injected, meaning that while the mechanical peel is being done, pure hyaluronic acid, collagen, and other moisturizers and skin nutrients can be applied.
Since these machines are newer and have some advantages, the price of hydro microdermabrasion is higher. However, its results are professional:
Homedics
This is a series of devices with the same functionality, meaning that the Homedics microdermabrasion performs an exfoliation that works for wrinkles, acne, stretch marks, and small scars.
The accessories included in the Homedics microdermabrasion are:
- Diamond tip, precision, body, blackhead, and infusion tips.
Not as expensive as Hydro, it falls into a mid-range price, making it affordable for anyone to use the device at home.
After each session, you will notice how the texture of your skin improves, feeling smoother with fewer imperfections, and the wrinkles become smaller.
Additionally, if you use it to remove acne scars, it will also give good results, making them less visible and eliminating blackheads.
Neutrogena
The Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Kit is a system to fight skin aging. It works for facial spots, blackheads, and can also be used on the body to reduce the presence of stretch marks and superficial scars.
It is a type of home microdermabrasion, you can use it at home with no problems.
The Neutrogena Kit includes:
- 12 pads for treatment with different intensities (1-month duration).
- Headpiece.
- 2 AA rechargeable batteries (lithium ION battery).
- Home microdermabrasion machine (for domestic use).
The results with Neutrogena are noticeable starting from the 4th week of use. Before this time, you might notice how your skin is rejuvenating, but to get a complete opinion, it is ideal to use it for several weeks.
The usage is very simple:
- Place a new pad on the machine’s headpiece, with the blue side facing up.
- Moisten the pad to avoid skin irritation.
- Attach the headpiece.
- Press the “ON” button and pass it over your facial skin for 1 to 2 minutes.
Finally, you should dispose of the Neutrogena microdermabrasion pad. They are single-use. The rest of the kit parts can be reused.
Microdermabrasion creams
In addition to being performed with machines, microdermabrasion cream is another form of facial rejuvenation that works quite well. However, it is important to consider the differences.
With machines, the treatment is more intense, requiring extra care to avoid damaging the tissue. In contrast, facial microdermabrasion with cosmetics is gentler, making it ideal for use as a maintenance or preventive treatment for wrinkles and facial spots.
Below, we list the best microdermabrasion creams:
Kiehls
It is a strong exfoliating cream that works similarly to a peel. It provides exfoliating effects, leaving the skin feeling soft and clean.
Kiehls microdermabrasion reduces small wrinkles and expression lines, acting as a facial cleanser for pores and blackheads.
After using this microdermabrasion cream, it is recommended to apply sunscreen with full protection to prevent spots from appearing on the skin.
Mary Kay
The Mary Kay microdermabrasion is an exfoliating kit with crystals that gives the face a younger and more radiant appearance. It contains the TimeWise Refining Cream which serves as an exfoliant and the TimeWise Pore Minimizer which acts as an astringent, helping to close dilated pores in no time.
The active ingredients in Mary Kay microdermabrasion are aluminum oxide for the exfoliant (TimeWise Refining Cream) and extracts from the silk tree and soy for the pore reducer.
These two microdermabrasion creams work against spots and stretch marks, although the best way to use them is for the face, where you will notice the results much more before and after.
Microdermabrasion results
The type of dermabrasion you choose to perform has a significant impact here. More expensive devices usually work better, and most people notice positive progress, meaning that the skin rejuvenates, with wrinkles becoming smaller as you undergo sessions.
At this point, it’s important to differentiate between the results of using microdermabrasion machines and those obtained with creams like Mary Kay, Kiehls, etc.
Although using a microdermabrasion cream has benefits, these cannot be compared to the mechanical exfoliation performed by the device. The abrasion is greater, and thus the regeneration of the skin tissue is as well.
Risks and contraindications
- Skin redness.
- Irritation.
- Facial spots.
- Do not use with skin infection.
- Avoid the vicinity of the eyes and mucous membranes.
- Do not apply on wounds.
Skin redness is quite common, being a usual side effect that disappears after a few hours. If you have sensitive skin, you may be more prone to it. Always use the device for the recommended amount of time, and if it is a cream, do not exceed the application time under any circumstances.
To avoid facial spots, always use full-protection sunscreen after each session.
Opinions
If you can afford it, you should always opt for a professional microdermabrasion treatment. These are much more intense and beneficial for the skin, although their price is high. Generally, with one or two sessions, you can buy one of the machines we’ve mentioned, so you will always depend on the beauty center.
Below, we share our opinions on microdermabrasion:
Advantages of home microdermabrasion:
- You can do it whenever you want.
- You have the device, which will always be yours.
- The price of microdermabrasion is lower.
Disadvantages:
- Lower results.
- Longer treatment time.
- You must apply some kind of cream afterward to help regenerate the epidermis, usually a moisturizing cream with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera to avoid irritation, etc.
If you’re looking to slightly improve your skin and don’t need a deep treatment, you can opt for using a cream. Although, as we’ve mentioned, the results won’t be the same, you will still notice them.
Then, there are the home diamond-tip microdermabrasion machines. In most cases, they won’t completely eliminate wrinkles, but they will make them less visible, reducing skin folds and lightening spots. They are also suitable for acne marks. They help treat blackheads, reduce pimples, and make imperfections less deep.
And if you want something intensive, a beauty salon can give you a full treatment for deep wrinkles, as a treatment for stretch marks, and for surgical scars.
