MICRODERMABRASION

Pros

• The treatment takes less than an hour, and downtime is minimal.
• You’ll see results like smoother, brighter skin immediately. 
• This is a noninvasive, safe procedure.
• It’s painless. You won’t need anesthesia or a numbing agent.
• It’s safe for most skin colors and skin types.

Cons

• You’ll need more than one session for optimal results
• Results can be subtle. If you’re looking for more dramatic skin rejuvenation, consider a chemical peel, laser resurfacing, or microneedling combined with radiofrequency.
• Side effects are rare, but you might experience some swelling, tenderness, or redness for a few hours after your treatment. 
• Microdermabrasion may worsen skin conditions, like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, active acne, herpes, and warts. It’s also contraindicated for those with a history of hypertrophic scars, including keloids.

• Average Cost:
• $173

• Range:
• $90 - $350

Your cost will depend on the experience level of your provider, their practice location, and the size of the treated area. Some offices offer discounts or special deals, if you buy a series of treatments up front.

See our complete guide to microdermabrasion costs

The microdermabrasion photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Most people are good candidates for a microdermabrasion facial.

However, it can aggregate sensitive skin, so again, it isn’t a good choice for patients who have:

• rosacea
• eczema
• psoriasis
• active cystic acne

If you’ve recently had a facial laser treatment or completed an isotretinoin regimen (or are still on it), it’s wise to hold off on microdermabrasion for a few months.

Finally, skip microdermabrasion if you’re pregnant; it can be too irritating and lead to breakouts.

To ensure your skin is prepped for the treatment:

• Don’t use Retin-A or exfoliators for three days prior
• Avoid sun tanning or using tanning creams or sprays during the week beforehand.
• Wait two to three weeks after getting injectables (including fillers and neurotoxins).
• Refrain from waxing or tanning the treatment area for a few weeks prior to microdermabrasion.
• Wash your face and neck with a non-oily, soap-free cleanser before your treatment.
• If you get red welts or hives when scratched (called dermatographism), you may have a similar reaction after microdermabrasion. Take an oral histamine before your appointment to alleviate it.

Before your aesthetician or provider begins the microdermabrasion session, they’ll cleanse and steam your face, to soften skin and open up the pores. Then, working counterclockwise, they’ll begin the exfoliating process with their handheld device of choice.

There are two methods: crystal microdermabrasion and diamond microdermabrasion. Both range from 20 minutes (for the quickest facial) to an hour (if the treatment includes your face, neck, and chest). 

• With crystal microdermabrasion, fine crystals, typically made of aluminum oxide, are sprayed over the skin. Because the system is on a closed loop, the crystals and dead skin cells are simultaneously vacuumed into a receptacle in the microdermabrasion device and discarded. To protect your eyes, you’ll need to remove your contact lenses and wear goggles.
• Diamond microdermabrasion uses a wand with a diamond-encrusted tip to exfoliate and resurface the skin with each pass. As with crystal microdermabrasion, the particles are vacuumed away with the same wand, but it’s safer for your eyes.

Some doctors believe that the diamond tip reduces the redness and dryness that can occur after the treatment. “I prefer the microdermabrasion diamond hand pieces over the crystals for two reasons,” Dr. Allenby says. “I think the skin can get too dried out from the crystals (which were the original treatments). Less importantly for the outcome, the crystals seemed to end everywhere, and patients felt too ‘gritty,’ even outside of the treatment zones.”

Afterward, any excess crystals or residue will be removed with a warm towel, and your provider will apply a moisturizer and sunscreen.

Microdermabrasion should not hurt or require anesthesia of any kind, if it’s performed appropriately. This is a gentler and less invasive procedure than traditional dermabrasion, which exfoliates at a deeper level.

With this more mild form of abrasion, you’ll likely feel only a slightly gritty sanding sensation, which some compare to being licked by a cat’s tongue. Your skin may feel a little itchy or tingly, but you’ll quickly acclimate to the sensation. 

Microdermabrasion providers can easily adjust their pressure and speed settings to suit your skin and pain tolerance, so speak up if it feels uncomfortable.

There’s no real recovery time needed after microdermabrasion. However, it’s normal for skin to be dry and tight following the procedure, and some people say their skin was flushed pink. These side effects should subside over the next day, with the use of a gentle cleanser and moisturizer. 

To get the maximum effect of the treatment, avoid anything that overheats your body—including showers, a sauna, steam rooms, and exercise—for the first 24 hours. 

You can somewhat resume your regular skin-care routine after 48 hours, but you should avoid topical anti-aging, exfoliating, or anti-acne products that contain salicylic acid, AHA/BHA acids, retinols, vitamin C, or benzoyl peroxide, for seven days due to prevent possible irritation.  

In the next few weeks, your new skin may be more sensitive to sun exposure, so it’s important to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and practice smart sun protection (think: hats, sun shields, shade).

A 2016 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that microdermabrasion is safe, with benefits that include increased collagen density.

“Microdermabrasion is a safe procedure at any age. But, like most procedures, the experience of the person doing the microdermabrasion is the key to getting a good result with few adverse reactions,” explains Dr. Mitchell Schwartz, a dermatologic surgeon in South Burlington, Vermont.

A few caveats:

• People with very sensitive or thin skin might notice light bruising, scabbing, or flaking, but there isn’t any evidence of long-term damage in these cases.
• The crystals used are also considered safe and are nontoxic if accidentally ingested, though they can be irritating to the lungs. 
• Goggles will help protect your eyes.

The biggest risks would stem from an unsanitary environment or inexperience. Your aesthetician or provider should always wear gloves and use sterilized tools. Read consumer reviews and check before and after photos prior to booking an appointment—and steer clear of anyone who has injured or over-exfoliated their clients.

Aestheticians usually recommend monthly sessions, since your skin cells naturally turn over every 28 days or so.

That said, the ideal time table for this treatment will vary based on your age (cell turnover slows over time), skin sensitivity, goals, and skin care regimen. You also have to factor in any other procedures you may routinely have done at the derm’s office, especially if they’re resurfacing in nature.

Some people get weekly microdermabrasion sessions, as part of a series, in the initial phase of treatment, and then return for occasional maintenance treatments a few times a year. Others view microdermabrasion as a great seasonal fix, since it buffs away dry, flaky skin on the heels of winter as well as sun-damaged cells after a summer spent outdoors.

The results of most at-home microdermabrasion devices won’t match those you’d get from a professional, but they can still improve your skin over time. “We like to tell patients that home devices are good and work even better in combination with a good skin-care routine from a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon’s office,” says Dr. Michael Gold, a dermatologic surgeon in Nashville.

“We often recommend that the microdermabrasion procedure start in the office, and then it can be finished and maintained in your home. Most dermatologists know of several good home devices, and we do make them available as adjuncts to what we do in our office.”

Though rare, there are risks that come with using a device at home, also typically due to sanitization. One study reported that a woman developed a bacterial abscess from her home device. Following the cleaning instructions is essential to avoid side effects of microdermabrasion at home.

	HydraFacial nonsurgical	Chemical Peel nonsurgical	Microneedling nonsurgical	Laser Resurfacing nonsurgical
Worth It Rating	96%	85%	84%	89%
Average Cost	$206	$429	$887	$2733
Downtime	No downtime	Up to 2 weeks of downtime	1–3 days of downtime	1–12 days of downtime (depending on intensity)
Anesthesia	No anesthesia	No anesthesia	Topical anesthesia	Topical anesthesia

HydraFacial has been gaining a reputation as a more effective exfoliation treatment, with gentler ingredients. The procedure includes a type of microdermabrasion, and it also opens pores, vacuums extractions, and infuses skin with a customized blend of serums. Dr. Allenby says that she regularly gets HydraFacials herself. “Part of the treatment incorporates microdermabrasion using either a regular tip or a more aggressive wet diamond tip. I like having this done because I can add or subtract growth factors, peels, and hydration.”

For more dramatic results, consider a chemical peel. 

If you have pronounced acne scars or wrinkles, Dr. Paul recommends microneedling or laser resurfacing. “Microneedling and laser resurfacing are much better uses of your money for improving acne scarring and stimulating collagen,” says Dr. Paul. “If you have dark skin, be very cautious with laser treatments, to avoid post-treatment inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Microneedling is often a safer avenue.”

Shah M, Crane JS. Microdermabrasion. [Updated 2023 Jun 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan.

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, (AOCD). “DERMATOGRAPHISM.” Dermatographism - American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), 2020.

Abd-Elazim, Nagwa E, et al. “Microdermabrasion and Topical Tacrolimus: A Novel Combination Therapy of Vitiligo.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Oct. 2019.

El-Domyati, Moetaz, et al. “Microdermabrasion: a Clinical, Histometric, and Histopathologic Study.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 2016.

Grubbs, Justin, and Casey Bowen. “Mycobacterium Abscessus Infection Following Home Dermabrasion.” Cutis, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2019.

Shah, Muneeb. “Microdermabrasion.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 13 Jan. 2020.