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Confused as to what microdermabrasion is or does? There are so many cosmetic procedures out there to improve the appearance of aging skin that it can be confusing. The aim of most of these products and treatments is to improve your skin by stimulating healthy skin cell regeneration. By abrading or burning away the epidermis, these treatments force the body into healing mode and starts to replace lost skin, thereby replacing damaged skin with new cells.

Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a skin resurfacing procedure that roughly abrades away the outermost layer of skin with a motorized tool. Due to the depth of skin removed, this procedure is conducted using local anesthesia or a numbing spray like Freon. Afterwards, the skin is very sensitive, red and swollen.

Your surgeon will prescribe pain medications to treat the pain and discomfort that will be felt while talking and eating. Recovery time is at minimum 2 weeks. Your face will be sensitive for 4-6 weeks so avoid activity that might aggravate it. Within 3 weeks the pinkness should disappear from your skin. Be cautious with your skin for the first year: avoid sun so that regular color of your skin can safely return. You cannot undergo another treatment until your skin has fully recovered, which is typically 1 year.

All microdermabrasion treatments use some sort of tool with crystals to remove 10-15 microns of skin. For those skin problems deeper than 10-15 microns, microdermabrasion results are less effective. If you are considering microdermabrasion for acne, take in mind that it works best with mild acne and can aggravate severe cases.

It is much less invasive, not requiring anesthesia. It can also be used on the neck, a very delicate part of the body.

Although some skin irritation and pinkness will result from treatments, you do not need to stop everything like you would with dermabrasion. A series of treatments is required in order to achieve full results.

After factoring all costs (anesthesia, hospital, consultations, etc.), dermabrasion can cost form $2000 to $4000, depending on the degree of the procedure. Microdermabrasion cost is minimal in comparison, between $70 to $250 per session. You can also save by purchasing a microdermabrasion at home kit and doing it yourself.

Microdermabrasion: How it Works

The abrasive nature of microdermabrasion crystals removes dead skin. It also activates body's natural response to irritants. Microdermabrasion activates the production of skin cells to replace those lost. Skin matrix is better organized with larger and healthier skin cells.

Microdermabrasion's effects are most powerful at the dermal layer. Fibroblasts also become more plentiful and produce more collagen. You can thank collagen for 'tight' skin and thickness. Elastin fibers also increase, giving our skin its elasticity, helping prevent further wrinkles. Microdermabrasion does stop at just removing dead or ugly skin. It improves the skin that replaces it.