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Formerly reserved for Hollywood stars, microdermabrasion is a non-invasive exfoliation technique that improves the texture, tone, and luminosity of the skin while regenerating its elasticity. It is the ideal alternative to more invasive procedures such as laser skin resurfacing and deep chemical peeling as it allows similar results without breaking the bank. Doing microdermabrasion yourself will not only help you control your budget but also treat yourself from the comfort and privacy of your home. So, it will be a great benefit if you know how to do microdermabrasion at-home.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about performing microdermabrasion at home, including the safety and effectiveness of home kits, the benefits and side effects of microdermabrasion, and more.
Each microdermabrasion kit will be delivered with an instruction manual, so take the time to read it carefully before starting the procedure.
Procedure
Before starting with a microdermabrasion machine, it is essential to thoroughly wash the skin with an oil-free, gentle cleanser to ensure that your skin is free of any substances that may cause irritation during the procedure and reduce the machine’s effectiveness.
Then, make sure to dry the skin thoroughly with a towel and let it dry completely in the air before starting to use the machine.
Once the skin is completely dry, turn on the microdermabrasion machine, pull a skin area tight before gently gliding the tip over it in one or two passes. Continue this process one area at a time, until the entire face or any treatment area has been covered.
You don’t need to use a numbing agent or anesthesia because the technique is less aggressive compared to dermabrasion.
As a last step, apply a toner and a moisturizer on your skin, as well as any other skin care products you would like to use. The toner will help to restore the pH of your skin and the moisturizer will hydrate your skin and help to reduce redness.
Are At-Home Microdermabrasion Kits Safe?
Microdermabrasion kits are totally safe to use, recognized dermatologists and experts have, in fact, confirmed that these at-home kits are effective and completely safe, provided that you follow closely the user’s manual that comes with the kit and that you don’t overuse them.
Note that you should not use microdermabrasion if you have active acne or active rosacea, open sores or skin infections.
Are At-Home Microdermabrasion Kits Effective?
Microdermabrasion has been proven to be a non-invasive and effective way of improving your skin appearance. Note that microdermabrasion is a personalized process, which means that what works for one person’s skin may not be effective on another person.
However, you can find high-quality at-home kits that may not be as effective as professional skin treatments, but you can still get excellent results for a wide range of skin conditions.
Benefits of Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion has many wonderful benefits, it is an effective treatment for stretch marks, wrinkles, scarring, hyperpigmentation, melasma, it can shrink enlarged pores and treat blackheads.
It also helps improve uneven skin tone and firm your skin by promoting collagen production.
Microdermabrasion can work wonders for all kinds of different skin conditions and leave your skin looking radiant, healthy, and beautiful.
Side Effects of Microdermabrasion
Now, there can be some small side effects of having a microdermabrasion treatment done. Thankfully, most side effects will clear up within a few hours to a day and are very mild.
The side effects can be: redness, slight tenderness, swelling, and minor skin discomfort.
It is highly recommended to use a good moisturizer and a sunscreen after the procedure to keep your skin from drying out, it is also recommended to avoid using chemical peels after you have had the procedure as this can irritate your skin.
You should be able to see noticeable results after just one treatment. There is also no downtime after you have had the procedure either, you can go and get a treatment done, and then go straight to work right afterward.
Microdermabrasion at Home vs Professional Treatment
Let’s talk about the differences between getting a microdermabrasion treatment done at a clinic or spa, vs. doing it yourself at home.
Many different drugs stores and cosmetics stores will sell microdermabrasion kits that you can do yourself, at home.
Now, most people will probably tell you that getting this procedure done by a professional is the best way to go, and they are right, to an extent. But the do-it-yourself kits are wonderful too and have nearly the same benefits.
They are completely safe and work almost as well as a professional treatment! The biggest differences are that the professional treatments are just a little bit more powerful, and you’re getting professional treatment by a licensed doctor.
The treatments that you get professionally are more thorough and deeper, that doesn’t mean the at-home kits aren’t as good though.
For more sensitive skin, or for those who like to get the treatments done a little more often, an at-home kit is perfect, and probably the better option!
You will love the results and it’s normal to want to just give yourself these treatments all the time, but you shouldn’t ever over-do it, giving yourself too many microdermabrasion treatments can damage and even injure your skin, it can cause pain, dryness, and irritation.
Your best bet is to always follow the directions on the kit or consult with your dermatologist about how often you should give yourself a treatment.
If you’re looking to purchase a microdermabrasion machine, check out our reviews of the top microdermabrasion home kits on the market.
There are two types of microdermabrasion home kits: crystal-tipped devices and diamond-tipped devices.
The crystal machines include a crystal-tip to gently remove the top layer of dull, dead skin, what follows is that an integrated suction system will suck up the dead cells, impurities, and oils.
The diamond devices are similar to the crystal ones, the only difference is that they are equipped with a diamond-tipped wand to sand or scratch the top layer of the skin and the vacuum system is used to suck away debris, dead cells, and dirt.
Note: Professionals sometimes perform a third type of microdermabrasion. The procedure includes a hand-held device that propels a continuous flow of aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin, an integrated vacuum system will then suck away dead cells, oils, impurities, and crystals.
What to expect
There is usually little to no recovery time after microdermabrasion. Expect to go back to your normal schedule after you undergo the skin treatment procedure.
After the skin procedure, your skin may be red and swollen. This may last for only 24 hours but you need to use sun protection and moisturizer. This will ensure that you achieve the best results and reduce side effects risks. In case you have cold sore breakouts or you scar easily, microdermabrasion procedure may not be a suitable skin treatment option for you.
In this video, dermatologist Dr Davin Lim gives some helpful tips about Microdermabrasion at home, as well as some alternatives.
Now that you’ve learned a good deal about microdermabrasion, we hope you’ll consider getting a treatment done yourself. The cost of an at-home kit isn’t too hefty, and you can’t argue with the fantastic results and benefits that you’ll get from the treatment. When it comes to microdermabrasion, you get the most bang for your buck, and you’ll love how much more youthful and vibrant your skin will be.
I’m a passionate skincare specialist and writer. I have more than 7 years of experience as a beauty, fashion, and lifestyle writer and editor, and I’m extremely passionate about what I do.
