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How Is Microdermabarasion Different To Other Rejuvenation Procedures?

Between me and my closest six girlfriends, we've tried almost all of the non-surgical rejuvenation techniques available today. With their help and after many hours of research, I'm now in a position to give you an exhaustive comparison of the most popular six of them: dermabrasion, microdermabarasion, laser resurfacing, IPL, Obagi Nu-Derm and chemical peels.

Comparison Between Skin Rejuvenation Procedures

Dermabrasion is a mechanical procedure that uses a power-driven, hand-held machine with a rotating metal wheel, diamond fraise or a wire brush to remove the top layers of the skin. It can be performed using a general or local anesthetic, depending on area.

Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are both peeling procedures: the former is a gentle mechanical peel that uses a stream of crystals (or a diamond tip wand) and suction to gently peel the skin, while the latter involves using a mild acid solution to exfoliate the skin.

Laser skin resurfacing and Intense Pulse Light work with high intensity light emissions which either vaporize the top layers of the skin in order to remove scars and wrinkles, or stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin.

Obagi Blue Peel and NuDerm use TCA, hydroquinone and tretinoin to correct skin imperfections and conditions but it's more invasive and risky.

The downtime associated with each procedure depends on the depth of the injury caused to the skin. For example, microderma abrasion has virtually no downtime, while a deep chemical peel can keep you at home on painkillers for as long as 2 weeks (which is why I'd never consider having it). After a dermabrasion treatment, the skin is red and swollen for around ten days.

Cosmetic Statistics

Risks And Side Effects Associated With Skin Resurfacing

Dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser resurfacing can cause permanent damage like scarring or pigmentation changes if performed unprofessionally. Microdermabration has the advantage of not having any of these risks. On the other hand, being the least invasive procedure, microderm abrasion has limited effectiveness on removing deeper acne scars, wrinkles, age spots or stretch marks.

By resurfacing a thicker layer of skin, laser skin rejuvenation, dermabrasion and deep chemical peels can visibly reduce larger and deeper skin imperfections. But these three procedures are also more expensive than a microbrasion treatment. For example:

Cost of Skin Resurfacing (in brief)

Cost Comparison with Chemical Peels, Dermabrasion and Laser

Prices for Chemical Peels

Prices for Dermabrasion

Prices for Laser Resurfacing
  • Deep Chemical Peel - performed only once, costs between $2,000 and $7,000.
  • Medium Chemical Peel - performed 3 times a year, costs between $1,000 and $2,000, a total average of $4,500 per year.
  • Mild chemical peel - performed around 10 times per year, costs between $150 to $300, a total average of $2,100 per year.
  • Professional dermabrasion treatment costs between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on the size and depth of the treated area.
  • For example, if you want to get rid of acne scars on your cheeks you can expect to pay around $3,000.
  • Fortunately, only one dermabrasion treatment is enough to see results.
  • This cost, unfortunately, does not include the price of anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay and any other related expenses which can add up to another $2,000-$4,000.
  • Laser resurfacing costs somewhere between $1,500 and $5,000 depending on the type of the laser used.
  • This doesn't include anesthesia and hospital fees, which may add to another few thousand dollars.

Microdermabarasion costs $300-$1,950 per year

(it's not as effective as other procedures, works on superficial imperfections only)

Of all the non-surgical procedures described above, microdermabrasion is the only treatment that can also be done at-home using personal kits or machines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Microdermabasion Help Smooth Acne Marks?

A: By removing the top layer of the skin, microdermabrasions diminish or even remove superficial acne marks. Deeper acne marks require a more invasive procedure, like deep chemical peeling or laser resurfacing.

Q: Does Micro Dermabration Help For Men?

A: Men can have microderm abrasions just as women can. The procedure and results are the same, there are no side effects or risks. The procedure and results are the same, there are no side effects or risks.

Q: Is Home Microdermal Abrasion As Effective As Spa?

A: Both home and spa microbrasion work on the same principle and have the same reported results: reduction of fine lines, superficial scars, age spots and acne scars. But home microderm abrasions procedures cannot offer the same effectiveness you get from spa micro derma abrasion treatments on more severe skin imperfections.

Q: Can Microbrasion Make Skin Age?

A: No, if performed right, microabrasion does not age your skin.

Q: Micro Derma Abrasion Is It Effective On The Eye Lids?

A: OTC microderm abrasian products should not be used on your eye-lids even if it's especially formulated as a facial microdermabarasion set. Using a face micro dermabration set on your eye lids may result in irritation or scarring (the lids are too thin and can easily be damaged). Clinic micro dermabration is not suitable for use on eye lids either.

Q: Does Micro Dermal Abrasion Make Skin Texture Even Itself?

A: This procedure exfoliates the top layer of skin which consists of dead skin cells. Microdermabarasion system stimulates collagen production, essential to healthy skin and also evens out skin texture and tone.

Q: What Qualifications Are Needed For Microdermal Abrasion?

A: Microdem abrasion equipment can only be operated by people with specific theoretical and practical training. Since this procedure is still relatively new, regulations regarding microabrasion certification vary from state to state. Generally speaking, for a person to perform professional in-office micro abrasion. one needs to conclude a supervised 14 to 30 hour training and pass a practical exam with the institution offering the course. This institution can be a large spa, a vocational school, a dermatology clinic, a beauty academy or a device manufacturer.

Q: How Can Micro Derm Abrasion Make Hyperpigmentation Less Noticeable?

A: Microdermabarasion tool works on hyperpigmentation. The micro-crystal flow abrades the top layer of the skin where unevenly pigmented skin cells are stuck. Several specialist microdermabarasion sessions are required to even out skin tone and get rid of hyperpigmentation.

Q: How Can Microabrasion Make Large Pores Shrink?

A: Micro dermal abrasion kits stimulate collagen growth which is why it works on large pores. Collagen production is stimulated through skin exfoliation. Furthermore, the vacuum function of most microdermabration units sucks out hardened oil, dust and other dirt which may clog your pores. This way, the oil in the glands can again reach the surface of your skin and your pores can return to their natural shape and size.

Q: Can You See A Difference After Having One Microabrasion?

A: Yes, results are visible after the first microdermabarasion. especially if we are talking about beauty salon microdermal abrasions which is more effective than at-home sets. Best results are obtained after 6 to 12 sessions (depending on your expectations and severity of skin imperfections), respectively one month of use for one of the OTC micro dermal abrasion system.