What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a gentle skin treatment that exfoliates and polishes your skin more effectively than your typical cleanser and washcloth routine. You may hear about treatments called power peeling or mechanical skin resurfacing. These are simply less attractive names for microdermabrasion.
Is microdermabrasion worth it?
Don't take our word, see what RealSelf members say about their real-world experience in microdermabrasion reviews and testimonials.
How does microdermabrasion work?
Think of microdermabrasion as a mini-sandblasting. Just like a sandblaster that strips away grime and old layers of paint on a stone surface, a microdermabrasion treatment removes your outer skin layer (but gently!). A professional provider will use a hand-held piece to spray tiny crystals across your face. The procedure uses gentle abrasion and suction to remove the dead, outer layer of skin. This process unclogs pores, loosens and vacuums away dead skin cells, and stimulates circulation.
Microdermabrasion also promotes the renewal of surface skin cells and deeper collagen production. Your body interprets the removing or breaking up of your outer layer of skin as a mild injury and rushes to replace the removed skin cells with new, healthy ones.
How long does microdermabrasion take?
Microdermabrasion is most often used to treat facial skin problems, but it could also be used on your hands, chest, or back. Treatment sessions last less than an hour, usually about 20 to 30 minutes. You can be seen in public immediately after a session, but you may need to use pressed powder to hide some facial redness.
Most people who opt for microdermabrasion report leaving the session with a newly radiant complexion and glowing skin tone.
Who should get a microdermabrasion treatment?
Microdermabrasion is best for quick skin-repair jobs and complexion improvement. Spas and dermatologists use microdermabrasion to promote more youthful skin, to soften facial lines, and to treat:
- rough skin texture
- some types of scarring including acne scars
- uneven pigmentation
- age spots or liver spots
- some stretch marks
- fine wrinkles
Microdermabrasion is also a good choice for people who are sensitive to chemical peels. If you can handle both, a light chemical peel in combination with microdermabrasion will give you significantly noticeable results.
Home Microdermabrasion
Home microdermabrasion is becoming popular because it lets you get many of the professional microdermabrasion benefits without spending as much money. Home microdermabrasion kits are easy to use and give you spa-like results for under $100.