Final Up to date on August 17, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Your toilet cupboard most likely has a minimum of a few exfoliating merchandise sitting in it proper now. So, is microdermabrasion truly going to do something they’ll’t? They’re not as totally different as they appear. Exfoliation is the method of eradicating lifeless 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 effective crystals or a diamond-tipped wand to buff away lifeless pores and skin cells, normally with suction on the identical time. On this article, I’ll share whereas you want microdermabrasion or if other ways of exfoliating work higher, so you can also make your best option in your pores and skin:
How Every Technique Truly Works on Your Pores and skin
Exfoliation works in two foremost methods:
- Bodily exfoliation: Scrubs, brushes and instruments manually take away the highest layer of lifeless pores and skin cells. Assume sugar scrubs, konjac sponges or cleaning brushes. You get that instantly clean feeling, nevertheless it’s additionally fairly simple to overdo it, significantly 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 lifeless pores and skin cells collectively to allow them to shed extra simply. Since you’re not bodily scrubbing your pores and skin, the exfoliation tends to be extra even. Some acids also can 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 got management. You select the product, how sturdy it’s and the way typically you utilize it. In case your pores and skin hates it, you’ll be able to cease. If it’s working, you’ll be able to maintain going.
Microdermabrasion takes bodily exfoliation a step additional. A wand is handed over your pores and skin, utilizing both tiny crystals or a diamond tip to buff away lifeless pores and skin whereas suctioning it up on the identical time. And since it’s extra intense, you’ll most likely discover extra of a distinction after one session. Assume smoother, brighter pores and skin and an enchancment in issues like uneven texture, solar harm and effective traces. There’s additionally some proof it may possibly stimulate collagen manufacturing too.
The draw back? Your pores and skin may not like it fairly as a lot as you do. Redness and irritation can occur, particularly when you have delicate pores and skin, and one session normally isn’t sufficient should you’re attempting to sort out a particular pores and skin concern. You’ll usually want a number of remedies, spaced round two to 4 weeks aside. So, is all that really value it when you’ll be able to exfoliate at dwelling? Let’s examine the 2.
Associated: Bodily VS Chemical Exfoliation: Which One Is Finest For You?
Price Breakdown: What You’ll Truly Spend
| Technique | Price Vary | Frequency |
| At-Residence Bodily Exfoliation | $5 to $50 per product | 2 to three occasions per week |
| At-Residence Chemical Exfoliation | $10 to $80 per product | Each day to weekly |
| Handheld Microdermabrasion Machine | $30 to $200 one-time | A few times every week |
| Skilled Microdermabrasion | $100 to $200 per session | Each 2 to 4 weeks |
Should you’re having a sequence {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 consider any upkeep remedies you may want afterwards. At-home exfoliation prices a fraction of that. A good chemical exfoliant can final for months and offer you gradual, constant outcomes with out paying for appointments each few weeks.
So, for most individuals, I believe exfoliation offers you significantly better worth for cash until you could have a particular concern that really warrants microdermabrasion. Should you go for a handheld microdermabrasion gadget 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 Therapy For Your Pores and skin Sort And Pores and skin Targets?
EXFOLIATION
Exfoliation can work for just about anybody, however you should select the proper.
The largest downside with exfoliation? It’s very simple to overdo it. Exfoliating too typically or throwing a number of sturdy merchandise at your face can harm your pores and skin barrier, leaving you with redness, irritation and probably 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 Discover The Finest Exfoliant For Your Pores and skin Sort
MICRODERMABRASION PROCEDURE
Microdermabrasion isn’t for everybody, both. If in case you have regular or oily pores and skin and also you’re attempting to sort out pores and skin circumstances like gentle zits scars, solar harm, effective traces or uneven texture, it may very well 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 prone to find yourself with redness and irritation afterwards.
The advantage of getting it accomplished 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 gadget. And maintain your expectations real looking. 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 take a look at remedies that go deeper, like chemical peels or lasers.
What You Can Realistically Count on: Outcomes and Timing
With constant at-home exfoliation, it is best to regularly 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 (normally round 4 to 6 classes) you might even see enhancements in effective traces, age spots, uneven pores and skin tone and general texture.
It might probably 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 remains to be going to age. You’re nonetheless going to build up lifeless pores and skin cells. And until you out of the blue plan to dwell underground, you’re nonetheless going to be uncovered to UV. So, if you wish to keep the outcomes, you’ll most likely want upkeep remedies each few months.
For long-term upkeep, I believe common exfoliation (significantly chemical exfoliation) makes extra sense for most individuals. It’s reasonably priced, simple to take care of and doesn’t contain always reserving appointments. Microdermabrasion makes extra sense if you would like sooner outcomes and are completely satisfied 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 go away your pores and skin barely pink for a couple of minutes, whereas chemical exfoliants could cause some tingling, significantly should you’re utilizing a stronger acid. However exfoliation shouldn’t harm. If an acid is inflicting vital burning or leaving your pores and skin very irritated, that’s not an indication it’s “working.” It’s worthwhile to cease utilizing it or swap to one thing gentler. There’s additionally no actual downtime. You may get on along 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 (significantly round your nostril and brow) can really feel a little bit extra intense. Your pores and skin might look pink 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 Good or Overkill?
You CAN se each. You simply don’t wish to use all the pieces directly. Should you’re having skilled microdermabrasion, you’ll usually want to tug 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 present you finest outcomes. It’s simply going to break your pores and skin.
You would, 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 if you would like one thing extra intensive for solar harm or uneven texture. Should you’re utilizing a handheld microdermabrasion gadget at dwelling, deal with that as your exfoliation for the day and skip your different exfoliating merchandise. If in case you have delicate pores and skin, persist with lactic acid a few times every week.
FAQs
Is microdermabrasion protected for darker pores and skin tones?
Sure. There’s no purpose to keep away from microdermabrasion simply because you could have darker pores and skin. Analysis exhibits it may be safely used on darker pores and skin tones. The one factor I’d watch is how aggressive you go. Darker pores and skin is extra prone to develop darkish spots after irritation, so light exfoliation is healthier 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.
Associated: How To Deal with Put up-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Can I exploit 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 sturdy actives might 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 momentary redness has gone, you’ll be able to regularly get again to your regular skincare routine.
Does microdermabrasion take away peach fuzz?
A bit, however don’t e-book microdermabrasion if eliminating peach fuzz is your foremost objective. The exfoliation can catch some very effective hairs sitting on the pores and skin’s floor, nevertheless it isn’t a hair-removal remedy. Should you particularly wish to take away peach fuzz, dermaplaning does a significantly better job as a result of the blade is definitely designed to take away each lifeless pores and skin cells and effective facial hair.
The Verdict: Which Is The Proper Exfoliation Technique For You?
For most individuals, I’d save your cash and stick to an excellent exfoliant. You may spend $15 on a bottle of glycolic acid, use it for months and get smoother, brighter pores and skin with out having to e-book an appointment each few weeks. Plus, with chemical exfoliants, you’ll be able to truly choose one based mostly on what you’re attempting to repair, whether or not that’s clogged pores, pigmentation or uninteresting pores and skin.
So when would I hassle with microdermabrasion? Should you’ve received cussed tough texture, age spots or shallow zits scars that aren’t budging along with your skincare, it ‘s value a strive. You’ll get higher fast outcomes than you’d with an exfoliant at dwelling.
