Home microdermabrasion: where do you start?

Given that the cost of microdermabrasion treatment at a skin clinic is going to set you back about $150 nowadays – home microdermabrasion looks like a great idea.

The difficulty is in choosing from the huge range of options available and finding a microdermabrasion home kit that works for you. So – here’s the first of several articles looking at do-it-yourself microdermabrasion products to help you navigate the skin care buying jungle.

There are really only two broad approaches with microdermabrasion at home. You can either buy a special microdermabrasion cream (sometimes in combination with other topical products) and apply it manually OR buy a microdermabrasion kit including a battery operated microdermabrasion applicator to help you achieve the salon experience in your home.

Buying a kit with a microdermabrasion tool included is usually – but not always – the most expensive option. Using a microdermabrasion cream can be a good way to start home microdermabrasion and there are some creams that stand out from others from their consistently good reviews on skin care forums and user reviews on skin care sites.

The next article in this series gives my top picks from some of the best microdermabrasion creams out there. But for now – some general tips on choosing a great home microdermabrasion cream.

First off – make sure you go for a product that is more than simply an exfoliating cream. Exfoliation is light surface cleaning of the skin – it can be done every day with a gentle product and is essential to enable skin care products to be absorbed effectively.

Microdermabrasion is an altogether stronger and more deeply penetrating process. Originally a completely in office treatment – microdermabrasion machines blast the skin with tiny rough particles (either aluminium or salt) and vacuum away the debris including the dead skin cells. Removing the surface skin cells reveals the fresher, healthier and younger skin below.

Microdermabrasion machines in skin clinics are usually of two types – depending on how powerful and agressive they are. Less powerful equipment is usually handled by estheticians to achieve a light abrasion of the skin. The most powerful microdermabrasion machines which are capable of much more agressive results are usually only handled by qualified physicians.

Microdermabrasion home systems – creams or kits – are intended to achieve the sort of results that you would get from an in office treatment using a lower powered machine. No home treatment could give you the same results as the more powerful microdermabrasion machines.

Microdermabrasion creams usually use the type of aluminium crystal used in an in office treatment. The composition of the creams vary according to the manufacturer but might include other lightening or peeling ingredients – like glycolic acid – to enhance the microdermabrasion effect.

If you decide to try a microdermabrasion cream – what can you expect it to do for you? Well – you can expect that regular use as directed on the packet will reduce fine lines and surface blemishes, help to fade sun spots, even out your skin tone and make your skin softer and brighter. What it can’t do is penetrate deeper into the skin and tackle deep rooted sun damage or deeper wrinkles.

The anti aging effects of microdermabrasion creams will be greatest when you use them with other complimentary anti aging skin care – like retinol based serums – to produce a visible improvement in your skin.

If you can – it is often a good idea to use other products from the same line as the microdermabrasion cream you buy. After all products from the same manufacturer are designed to work together. This isn’t essential though – you don’t need to buy a whole new range of anti aging skin care to get great results – despite what the manufacturer may say!

Finally a couple of words of general advice. Don’t forget you need time and regular use to get the effects you want. Follow the instructions carefully and give your skin a few weeks to see results and get used to the product.

If it doesn’t work for you or you get an adverse reaction then move on and try another approach. This is where buying online comes into its own – most reputable online skin care stores like SkinStore have good return policies. Something you probably couldn’t easily do at your local drugstore – even if you could find the product you want.

Coming up next – my selection of five great creams to get the results you want from home microdermabrasion.

Related articles:

• Microdermabrasion creams: three great buys