Final Up to date on August 17, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Your lavatory cupboard in all probability has a minimum of a few exfoliating merchandise sitting in it proper now. So, is microdermabrasion truly going to do something they will’t? They’re not as totally different as they appear. Exfoliation is the method of eradicating useless pores and skin cells from the floor of your pores and skin, whether or not that’s with acids, scrubs, brushes or skilled remedies. Microdermabrasion is one particular kind of bodily exfoliation that makes use of high quality crystals or a diamond-tipped wand to buff away useless pores and skin cells, often with suction on the identical time. On this article, I’ll share whereas you want microdermabrasion or if alternative ways of exfoliating work higher, so you can also make your best option to your pores and skin:
How Every Methodology Really Works on Your Pores and skin
Exfoliation works in two important methods:
- Bodily exfoliation: Scrubs, brushes and tools manually remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Suppose sugar scrubs, konjac sponges or cleaning brushes. You get that instantly clean feeling, however it’s additionally fairly simple to overdo it, notably when you have dry or delicate pores and skin.
- Chemical exfoliation: Acids like AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) loosen the bonds holding dead skin cells together so they can shed more easily. Since you’re not bodily scrubbing your pores and skin, the exfoliation tends to be extra even. Some acids can even promote collagen manufacturing over time, whereas salicylic acid can get inside pores, which is why it’s so helpful for acne-prone pores and skin.
The good factor about exfoliating at house is that you’ve management. You select the product, how robust it’s and the way usually you employ it. In case your pores and skin hates it, you may cease. If it’s working, you may preserve going.
Microdermabrasion takes bodily exfoliation a step additional. A wand is passed over your skin, using either tiny crystals or a diamond tip to buff away dead skin while suctioning it up at the same time. And since it’s extra intense, you’ll in all probability discover extra of a distinction after one session. Suppose smoother, brighter pores and skin and an enchancment in issues like uneven texture, sun damage and fine lines. There’s also some evidence it can stimulate collagen production too.
The draw back? Your pores and skin won’t find it irresistible fairly as a lot as you do. Redness and irritation can occur, particularly when you have delicate pores and skin, and one session often isn’t sufficient if you happen to’re making an attempt to sort out a particular pores and skin concern. You’ll sometimes want a number of remedies, spaced round two to 4 weeks aside. So, is all that really value it when you may exfoliate at residence? Let’s evaluate the 2.
Associated: Physical VS Chemical Exfoliation: Which One Is Best For You?
Value Breakdown: What You’ll Really Spend
| Methodology | Value Vary | Frequency |
| At-Dwelling Bodily Exfoliation | $5 to $50 per product | 2 to three occasions per week |
| At-Dwelling Chemical Exfoliation | $10 to $80 per product | Day by day to weekly |
| Handheld Microdermabrasion System | $30 to $200 one-time | A couple of times every week |
| Skilled Microdermabrasion | $100 to $200 per session | Each 2 to 4 weeks |
If you happen to’re having a collection {of professional} microdermabrasion remedies, you can simply spend wherever from $500 to $1,200 over just a few months. And that’s earlier than you think about any upkeep remedies you may want afterwards. At-home exfoliation prices a fraction of that. A good chemical exfoliant can final for months and provide you with gradual, constant outcomes with out paying for appointments each few weeks.
So, for most individuals, I believe exfoliation offers you a lot better worth for cash except you have got a particular concern that really warrants microdermabrasion. If you happen to go for a handheld microdermabrasion machine as a substitute, simply don’t anticipate it to do what an expert machine does. It sits someplace within the center: extra intensive than a scrub, however much less highly effective than an in-clinic remedy.
Which Is The Proper Remedy For Your Pores and skin Sort And Pores and skin Targets?
EXFOLIATION
Exfoliation can work for just about anybody, however that you must select the correct.
The largest downside with exfoliation? It’s very simple to overdo it. Exfoliating too usually or throwing a number of robust merchandise at your face can injury your pores and skin barrier, leaving you with redness, irritation and doubtlessly much more breakouts. Your pores and skin shouldn’t really feel uncooked or painfully tight after exfoliating. If it does, you’ve gone too far.
Associated: How To Find The Best Exfoliant For Your Skin Type
MICRODERMABRASION PROCEDURE
Microdermabrasion isn’t for everybody, both. When you’ve got regular or oily pores and skin and also you’re making an attempt to sort out pores and skin circumstances like gentle zits scars, solar injury, high quality strains or uneven texture, it might be value contemplating. But when your pores and skin is already indignant? I’d keep away. The rubbing and suction could make issues like energetic zits, rosacea and eczema worse. And when you have delicate pores and skin, you’re additionally extra more likely to find yourself with redness and irritation afterwards.
The advantage of getting it performed professionally is that whoever is doing the remedy can dial the depth up or down relying on how your pores and skin reacts. You clearly don’t get fairly the identical management with an at-home machine. And preserve your expectations sensible. Microdermabrasion works fairly near the floor, so it’s not going to magically do away with deep wrinkles or pitted zits scars. For these, you’d want to have a look at remedies that go deeper, like chemical peels or lasers.
What You Can Realistically Anticipate: Outcomes and Timing
With constant at-home exfoliation, it’s best to step by step discover smoother pores and skin, extra brightness and fewer clogged pores over the course of a few weeks. Skilled microdermabrasion offers you quicker outcomes. Even after one session, your pores and skin can really feel noticeably smoother. After a course of remedies (often round 4 to 6 classes) you may even see enhancements in high quality strains, age spots, uneven pores and skin tone and total texture.
It may well additionally stimulate collagen manufacturing, so some enhancements might proceed after your remedies. However there’s a catch: the outcomes aren’t everlasting. Your pores and skin continues to be going to age. You’re nonetheless going to build up useless pores and skin cells. And except you instantly plan to dwell underground, you’re nonetheless going to be uncovered to UV. So, if you wish to preserve the outcomes, you’ll in all probability want upkeep remedies each few months.
For long-term upkeep, I believe common exfoliation (notably chemical exfoliation) makes extra sense for most individuals. It’s reasonably priced, simple to take care of and doesn’t contain continually reserving appointments. Microdermabrasion makes extra sense in order for you sooner outcomes and are pleased to spend the additional cash to get them.
Ache, Downtime, And Restoration Time
Neither ought to contain a lot downtime. Exfoliation is mostly fairly simple to suit into your routine. A bodily exfoliant may depart your pores and skin barely pink for a couple of minutes, whereas chemical exfoliants could cause some tingling, notably if you happen to’re utilizing a stronger acid. However exfoliation shouldn’t damage. If an acid is inflicting vital burning or leaving your pores and skin very irritated, that’s not an indication it’s “working.” You want to cease utilizing it or change to one thing gentler. There’s additionally no actual downtime. You may get on together with your day as regular.
Microdermabrasion feels a bit like a scratchy little vacuum being moved throughout your face. It isn’t usually painful, though sure areas (notably round your nostril and brow) can really feel a little bit extra intense. Your pores and skin might look purple and really feel tight for just a few hours afterwards, and a few folks get a little bit peeling over the next days. However most individuals can go straight again to their regular actions.
Combining Each: Is It Sensible or Overkill?
You CAN se each. You simply don’t need to use all the pieces without delay. If you happen to’re having skilled microdermabrasion, you’ll usually want to drag again in your at-home exfoliation earlier than and after your remedy. Microdermabrasion is already exfoliating your pores and skin. Including extra acids, scrubs and exfoliating remedies on prime isn’t going to offer you finest outcomes. It’s simply going to break your pores and skin.
You can, for instance, use a delicate chemical exfoliant like a low-strength glycolic or lactic acid as a part of your regular routine after which have occasional microdermabrasion remedies in order for you one thing extra intensive for solar injury or uneven texture. If you happen to’re utilizing a handheld microdermabrasion machine at residence, deal with that as your exfoliation for the day and skip your different exfoliating merchandise. When you’ve got delicate pores and skin, follow lactic acid a few times every week.
FAQs
Is microdermabrasion secure for darker pores and skin tones?
Sure. There’s no cause to keep away from microdermabrasion simply because you have got darker pores and skin. Research shows it can be safely used on darker skin tones. The one factor I’d watch is how aggressive you go. Darker skin is more likely to develop dark spots after irritation, so mild exfoliation is best right here. You need smoother, brighter pores and skin, to not irritate it a lot you find yourself with extra pigmentation than you began with.
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Can I take advantage of retinol or exfoliating acids after microdermabrasion?
Not immediately. Your pores and skin has simply been exfoliated. It doesn’t want one other spherical. Retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and different robust actives could be extra irritating instantly after microdermabrasion, so give your pores and skin a break and focus on moisturiser and sunscreen as a substitute.As soon as any sensitivity or non permanent redness has gone, you may step by step get again to your regular skincare routine.
Does microdermabrasion take away peach fuzz?
A bit, however don’t guide microdermabrasion if eliminating peach fuzz is your important aim. The exfoliation can catch some very high quality hairs sitting on the pores and skin’s floor, however it isn’t a hair-removal remedy. If you happen to particularly need to take away peach fuzz, dermaplaning does a a lot better job as a result of the blade is definitely designed to take away each useless pores and skin cells and high quality facial hair.
The Verdict: Which Is The Proper Exfoliation Methodology For You?
For most individuals, I’d save your cash and persist with a superb exfoliant. You possibly can spend $15 on a bottle of glycolic acid, use it for months and get smoother, brighter pores and skin with out having to guide an appointment each few weeks. Plus, with chemical exfoliants, you may truly choose one based mostly on what you’re making an attempt to repair, whether or not that’s clogged pores, pigmentation or uninteresting pores and skin.
So when would I trouble with microdermabrasion? If you happen to’ve received cussed tough texture, age spots or shallow zits scars that aren’t budging together with your skincare, it ‘s value a strive. You’ll get higher instant outcomes than you’d with an exfoliant at residence.
