As usual, after a professional microdermabrasion treatment I go looking for a good home product to help maintain the results. I had used four at-home microabrasion kits previously, but none of them was as effective as I had hoped them to be (except Youthful Essence). So this time, I chose a very popular kit: the ReFinish Microdermabrasion System from l'Oreal.
L'Oreal Microdermabrasion has been discontinued - You might want to read about the top three micro dermabrasion kits reviewed on this site: Youthful Essence, Dermanew and Neutrogena (also see my latest microdermabrasion kit review, the Personal Microderm System).
One thing that I found interesting about Refinish was the Biosaccharide Complex, an ingredient designed to protect and sooth the skin. I was very curious to see how this invention would work on my skin.
I bought the kit for $23. The box had two products in it: a Gentle Micro-Dermabrasion Exfoliator (with the usual aluminum oxide crystals and the patented Biosaccharide Complex) and a Post Treatment Protective Moisturizer (with hydrating ingredients, Vitamin E and SPF 15).
Before doing the usual patch test, I searched for information about what the biosaccharide complex is and what it does. As I understand it, the biosaccharide complex is a carbohydrate compound that acts as an effective antibacterial skin agent. Its main role in cosmetic products is to sooth, calm and protect the skin from inflammation and irritations.
My friend Dominique is very fond of the home body microdermabrasion kit from l'Oreal. It is called ReFinish Chest, Arms & Hands Micro-Dermabrasion Kit and Dominique says it works great against sun spots and stretch marks.
The patch test having turned out ok (no side effects after 48 hours), I started using Loreal Refinish according to the kit instructions booklet: three times a week, always in the morning and never on consecutive days. I have normal skin but the booklet says to use the Refinish kit only twice a week or massage the skin for less than one minute, if you have dry or sensitive skin.
I stuck with the morning use advice because I don't have a job to hurry to every day, but I believe evening use would yield similar results. This is how I used the Refinish kit over a 7 week period.
One thing to remember is that L'Oreal makes the face look red for about an hour after treatment. I can avoid going out while I look like a lobster but your work may not allow for such flexibility. If there is one reason to switch from morning to evening use, then this is it (especially since liquid foundation is also not recommended).
I used the Refinish kit on my face and neck for almost two months and the thing I liked most was that each use took me 5 minutes at most. No electrical devices to handle, no batteries to change, no sponges to clean. On the other hand, I disliked the way the creams made my skin break out from time to time. Fortunately, though, the little whiteheads would disappear by on their own the next day.
My expectations of L'Oreal were high because, at the time, beauty forums were raving about how good it was. I can agree with the hundreds of people who say L'Oreal is the most "affordable home kit" but sadly, the results it brought are moderate at best. I achieved better results with Dermanew.
I have to admit it, though, that I saw some improvement after the very first use. I had this blemish on my right cheek and Refinish made it go away while also making my whole face look better toned and fresh. I was stunned when my husband later said I looked nice and asked if I was wearing any make-up.
I believe L'Oreal to be a good product because it helped maintain the effects from my professional microderm for a while. The kit may have done its job but I expected to see a real improvement, not just effective maintenance. This is, after all, L'Oreal.
Most of the people who use Refinish say the kit has quick results on dull skin. Many women say they like to use the l'Oreal microdermabrasion kit for a quick boost in freshness before important events, like business meetings or parties. On the other hand, some upset consumers complain about the kit causing breakouts and dryness, while others complain about the moisturizer being too oily.
A: Liver spots can be reduced or even removed entirely through several microdermabarasion sessions - the flow of crystals exfoliates the top layer of the skin and evens out skin tone.
A: The right candidate for microdermabrastion is anyone over 14 who wants to get rid of superficial acne scars, blotchy skin, large pores, age or sun spots, fine wrinkles or uneven skin tone and texture. All skin types and colors can be treated with microdermbrasion. But if you are pregnant, nursing or suffering from a chronic skin disease, or have been on Accutane or had laser surgery recently, consult with a specialist before having this treatment.
A: Best results are obtained after 6 to 12 professional sessions (depending on your expectations and severity of the skin imperfections), respectively one month of use for a self microdermabarasion product.
A: You should not have microdermibrasion if you've used a betahydroxy acid (BHA) product in the last 14 days because the two exfoliating procedures combined are too aggressive and might affect your skin's ability to recover. This applies to do-it-yourself kits and specialist treatment.
A: By removing the top layer of skin, micro abrasion pulverizes away the dead skin layer (the outermost layer) in order to even out skin texture and facial scarring. Deeper facial scars needs more invasive non-surgical techniques, like deep chemical peels or laser facial resurface.
A: You must stop using Renova for 14 days before cosmetic microderm abrasion treatment because Renova makes the skin more sensitive and the combined effect can cause irritations and scarring. This applies to self systems and office treatment.
A: Collagen is produced when the skin sheds dead cells and new ones are stimulated to grow. Microdermal abrasion machine vaporizes dead cells at the skin's surface using an aluminium oxide crystal flow or a diamond-tipped wand.
A: Yes, there is no reason not to have micro dermabration on your body. If you choose salon microderma. the specialist who performs it will adjust the settings of the machine for body microdermabrasion kit. If you decide to do the procedure on your own, be sure to search for a specially designed body microdermabrasion product.
A: Redness following microdermabarasion fades in a few hours after the procedure.
A: By removing the top layer of the skin, spa microdermabrasian diminishes or even removes superficial red marks. Deeper red marks require a more invasive procedure, like a deep chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing.
A: Micro derm abrasion system is effective on fine lines. It evens out skin texture through abrasion of the top layer of skin. The effect is a reduction or even total removal of fine lines.
A: Alpha Hydroxy Acid is used as a light chemical peel. It removes the uppermost layer of skin. Light chemical peels and micro dermabration are both non-invasive procedures that can also be performed at-home with special consumer kits. Neither has any major risks or side-effects and both have limited effectiveness. They can help diminish or even remove superficial scarring and wrinkles, age spots, stretch marks and uneven skin texture. For deeper skin imperfections, you may need a more invasive procedure.
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Information and advice on microderabrasion and skin resurfacing
Microdemabrasion is a safe alternative to chemical peels & laser rejuvenation for acne scars & fine lines
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My micro dermabrasion kit reviews: Neutrogena - Youthful Essence - Dermanew