Is Personal Microdermabration As Good As Professional Treatment?

This is by far the most common question I get and it's no wonder. There is so much confusion on the topic and most of it is due to dishonest advertising practiced by many companies selling home microdermabrasion kits. I used quite a few of these personal abrasion systems and also had professional microdermabrasion which puts me in a good position to tell you which of these products work and which of them actually compare with the real microderm abrasion.

Most of these home micro dermabrasion products may do some skin peeling but their effects are so mild that they shouldn't even be called microdermabrasion kits. But there is a handful of personal systems that imitate the professional procedure fairly well and the results are surprising (at least Youthful Essence and Dermanew, which I've tried myself, were).

Professional vs Personal Microdermabrasion

I prefer the comfort of knowing a professional is doing the procedure rather than rub microdermabrasion cream against my face with my bare hands. This is why I always choose professional microabrasion as the main treatment (if I can afford to) and only use home micro dermabrasion systems to maintain the results.

You could also try personal microderm kits first, before the professional peeling, to get an idea of what microdermabarasion can do for your skin (this applies only to those products which come closest to the office treatment in terms of effectiveness; with all the others, you might just end up disappointed with the whole concept of 'microdermabration').

Whichever route you take, remember that just like professional microderm abrasion, home systems:

Differences Between Home Microdermabrasion and Medical Treatment

I've compiled a comprehensive list of differences between office and home microdermabrasion in the table below.

Professional Microderm Do-It-Yourself Microderm
Where You Have It
  • Trained aestheticians are qualified to perform mild microdermabration in spas and beauty salons.
  • More aggressive microderm machines which go deeper in the skin are only available in doctor's offices and can only be operated by trained nurses and dermatologists.
  • Most women I know have personal micro derm abrasion in the privacy of their own home (usually, the bathroom).
How It Works
  • Microabrasion specialists use hand-held machines, similar to sandblasters, to spray and circulate high-pressure crystal flow (aluminum oxide, sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate) onto the skin.
  • The compressors and pumps in microderma abrasion machines abrade the top layers of the skin and at the same time suck in dead skin cells, dirt and used crystals.
  • Newer microdermabrasion tools use a single, diamond-tipped wand instead of the crystal flow but also have the vacuum system needed to clean your skin of debris.
  • You use a special cream and small foam applicator instead of using a micro dermabrasion machine.
  • To use the micro-crystal cream or foam: spread and massage it gently all over the face, so that the crystals are pushed against the skin; wash and rinse.
Precision
  • A certified professional moves the wand over the target area, applying even and steady pressure to achieve peeling without affecting the lower skin layers.
  • They know exactly how much pressure to apply and how many times to go over the skin (usually, between 1 and 3 times per session).
  • Even though at-home micro dermabrasion creams and foams use the same crystals used in professional salons, your hand tends to be less steady and precise.
Skin Redness
  • After clinic or spa microdermabrasion the face is red for about 24 hours (the redness is similar to a mild sunburn).
  • Home microderm doesn't burn the skin (it also prevents it from becoming red) because most micro-crystal creams have special ingredients to calm and nourish the skin during treatment.
How Long It Takes
  • Professional treatments last between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the size of the area.
  • At-home microderma takes 10 minutes at most (with before and after care).
When To Have It
  • With spas and clinics you need an appointment.
  • You can have it whenever you like.
How Long Do Results Lasts
  • You may need 10-12 weekly micro brasions for visible, lasting results.
  • Have one session each month to maintain results.
  • Some are designed for daily use; others can be used a few times a week.
  • At-home micro dermabration kits need regular use or the results fade quite quickly.
How Much It Costs
  • Professional microdermabrasion costs somewhere between $75 and $200 per session.
  • Personal microdermabrasion kits are much cheaper and cost around $1-3 per session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Microdermabration Cause Scarring?

A: If the microdermoabrasion home kit or want is not handled properly, skin damage may occur. Extreme pressure of the flow of crystals or insisting over the same area may lead to severe scarring. Having microderma treatment while taking Accutane or immediately after a chemical peel might also cause scarring and inflammation.

Q: How Can Micro Derma Abrasion Make Skin Texture Smooth?

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

Q: How Safe Is Using Micro Derm Abrasion While Nursing?

A: We recommend that you wait until you deliver your baby and finish the nursing period before microdermation Your skin is more sensitive during pregnancy and nursing and microdermbrasion tools may cause irritation or severe scarring. This procedure is also not recommended for pregnant and nursing women because hormonal changes during this period may reduce the effectiveness of the procedure.

Q: How Can Micro Derma Abrasion Make Enlarged Pores Smaller?

A: Micro derma brasion set stimulates collagen growth which is why it's effective on enlarged pores. Collagen production is stimulated through skin exfoliation. Furthermore, the vacuum function of most microderm abrasions devices 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 Micro Derma Brasion Help The Face?

A: By resurfacing the top layer of the skin, personal microdermibrasion does work. It can help fight mild acne, acne scarring, clogged and enlarged pores, age and sun spots, stretch marks, freckles, and fine lines, tired and dull skin. More severe skin imperfections require more invasive procedures like laser or chemical peeling. Self microderma is also not as effective as professional microderm abrasion.

Q: Is Microdermbrasion Safe After Accutane (Isotretinoin)?

A: Microdermibrasion is not recommended for patients taking Accutane. This acne treatment works by reducing the amount of oil produced by the skin's sebaceous glands which reduces the skin's ability to recover after body or facial exfoliation. Having microderm abrasion while on Accutane may cause permanent scarring. This applies to OTC kit and office treatment.

Q: Does Microdermabasion Help Asian Skin?

A: Home microdermation product is appropriate for all skin colors (including Asian skin ) because this procedure sandblasts only the outermost skin layer which is made of dead skin cells. There's no damage to live tissue which could cause scarring or severe irritation. The exfoliation process involved in specialist microdermabrasion helps the skin renew itself quicker and more effectively.

Q: Does Micro Derma Abrasion Make Tattoos Fade?

A: You can use cosmetic microderm abrasion on tattooed skin with no risk or side effects. This skin resurfacing technique is too mild to remove tattoos.

Q: Does Microdermabasion Help Reduce Uneven Skin Tone?

A: Uneven skin tone is the result of a skin disorder called hyperpigmentation. It can be evened out through several sessions of microabrasions. The micro-crystal flow abrades the top layer of the skin where unevenly pigmented skin cells are stuck.



Q: Can I Have Microderm Abrasion On The Decollete?

A: Do-It-Yourself microdermabarasion sets can be used on your decollete as long as it's especially formulated as a body microdermabrasions system. Using a face microderm kit on your decollete will not have the desired effect because it's much too mild to have a significant effect on your back. Beauty Salon microderm is suitable for use on the decollete.

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