Microdermabrasion: Home vs Doctor's Office

Most people I know would rather go see a doctor for microdermabrasion treatment instead of rubbing foam or cream against their face by themselves with bare hands. There is a certain peace of mind that comes with professional treatment along with a large hole in your pocket.

Other people prefer the personal microderm abrasion kits because a) they can be used in the privacy of your own home and b) they are much more affordable. There's a trade-off though.

Office skin resurfacing will always outperform home microderm in terms of effectiveness. It's equally true that the office treatment will always be more expensive and time-consuming than its home counterpart. So how do you find the right balance between money, comfort, results and side effects?

Microdermabrasion Comparison
Both home and professional microderm use micro crystals to abrade the skin. The results are similar: reduction of fine wrinkles and scars, smoother, fresh-looking skin, removal of age spots (professional microabrasion is more effective, due to the precision and depth of the abrasion).

The main difference between personal and professional microdermabrasion is that in the office, specialists use hand-held machines, similar to sandblasters, to spray and circulate high-pressure crystal flow (aluminum oxide, sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate) onto your skin. A vacuum system of the machine sucks away used crystals and dead skin cells, leaving the skin refreshed and smooth.

In home micro dermabrasion kits, the professional machine is replaced by a small foam applicator which you use with your fingers to apply the micro-crystal cream or foam; massage it gently across your face, so that the crystals are pushed against your skin; then wash and rinse.

Professional microdermabrasion is performed in spas, beauty centers and doctor offices, by trained professionals. The procedure lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the area treated. Several sessions are needed (6 to 12, depending on your skin condition and your expectations).

If time or money are in short supply, you can always choose to buy and use one of the many home rejuvenation systems. But remember that the trained hand of a professional is steady and precise, unlike your own fingers.

A certified professional moves the microdermabrasion wand over the target area, applying even and steady pressure to remove the top layer without affecting the deeper skin layers. He knows exactly how much pressure to apply and how many times to go over the treated area (usually, between 1 and 3 times per session).

What about after treatment recovery? Your face will look red for about 24 hours (similar to suffering from a mild sunburn) after professional microderm. With home microdermabrasion your skin doesn't burn or become red because most micro-crystal creams have special ingredients that calm and nourish the skin during treatment.

Both types of microdermabrasion treatment need long term commitment. For visible results, home kits must be incorporated in your daily or weekly skin care routine. Professional microdermabrasion must be performed in a series of 10-12 weekly sessions, followed by maintenance sessions every 2-3 months in order to achieve good results.

Professional microabrasion costs somewhere between $100 and $300 per session while home products are much cheaper: $15-$200 (and last a long time).

Bottom line is this: professional microderma is more effective but also more expensive, it requires several visits to the doctor's office and it will leave your face red for a few hours after the procedure. At home kits require less time and money, but are not as effective in removing deeper skin imperfections.

Home Microdermabrasion Reviews
Top home microderm kits rated and reviewed.