Professional Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion
Difference between these two aggressive exfoliation treatments |
Professional Microdermabrasion
Professional microdermabrasion treatments are completely different from at-home microdermabrasion kits, which are more like fine scrubs. While the at-home kits can make your skin feel very smooth, the results do not compare to professional microdermabrasion treatments.
Professional microdermabrasion is much stronger and can reduce the appearance of light wrinkles, scars, and hyperpigmentation. They are usually recommended for anti-aging or fading dark marks, but some dermatologists will suggest them as acne treatments. As far as using microdermabrasion for active acne, it could help but would take multiple treatment sessions. The extent of improvement also depends on how your skin responds.
Microdermabrasion is becoming increasingly popular at spas and dermatologists’ offices. Like chemical peels, you can purchase microdermabrasion treatments as packages (of either 5 or 6) because you will need more than one anyway for your desired results. You generally get microdermabrasion spaced one month apart to give your skin time to heal and regenerate.
There is little to no downtime associated with this facial procedure. Your skin might be red and pink for the rest of the day and maybe even the next day, but that's about it. Some people may also experience dry skin or tiny breakouts after the treatment as the microdermabrasion brings clogs to surface.
Microdermabrasion is performed using either a diamond tip or tiny crystals. With crystal microdermabrasion, tiny crystal particles are used to exfoliate your skin. With the diamond tip, a wand-like device with a "diamond tip" is used to exfoliate your skin instead. Both of these methods exfoliate your skin and use a sucking motion to suck away the exfoliating grains and any dead skin cells.
It is this sucking motion that many people believe helps regenerate collagen. However, there isn’t much evidence backing up this claim. If you have skin prone to broken capillaries, you may want to avoid microdermabrasion because the suction could be overly irritating.
I have personally tried a series of professional microdermabrasion treatments for my acne, but they did nothing. My skin was neither better nor worse so it was pointless for me to continue getting these facials. Your experience might be different though, since everyone's skin varies.
Dermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is often confused with dermabrasion. They sound like the same thing, but they aren’t. Dermabrasion is a much more serious cosmetic procedure.
In dermabrasion, the surface of your skin is pretty much sanded away, using lasers or mini-electric sanders, though the sanders are less common now. You will usually be given anesthetics (or a numbing cream like lidocaine on your face) because this treatment can be very painful. Like TCA peels, there is also downtime associated with dermabrasion. Your skin will be red and irritated for several weeks until it gradually heals and regenerates.
For both microdermabrasion and dermabrasion treatments, make sure to stay out of the sun and wear a good sunscreen. Before you get any of these procedures done, make sure the person giving you the treatment is a qualified professional. Ask your friends for good aestheticians, dermatologists, or plastic surgeons. Do proper research about the procedure so you fully know what to expect and how to care for your skin afterwards. Like with all facial procedures, there are side effects and risks so make sure you know what you are getting into. Don't be like me.