Medical Microdermabrasion vs Spa and Home Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion has been a very popular form of skin treatment for a number of years. There are various systems and treatments available, which at times can be confusing, making it difficult to decide. There is medical microdermabrasion, spa or salon meicrodermabrasion, and then there are home microdermabrasion kits. Although all of them utilize the same concept, not all deliver the same results – regardless of how wonderful it sounds on the infomercial on television.

Compared to salon and medical microdermabrasion, many home microdermabrasion kits are ineffective. Many so-called home microdermabrasion kits do not actually employ proper microdermabrasion. Examples would be microdermabrasion creams and microdermabrasion cloths. Although these treatments provide some abrasive quality, the actual scientific principles of microdermabrasion is not employed (crystals forced onto the skin, propelled by an air jet).

Some of these home microdermabrasion kits do actually work in the same manner as their professional counterparts, but for safety reasons the efficiency had to be limited – the person using the machine is not a trained professional, and a powerful machine could increase the risk of injury.

Salon, or spa microdermabrasion, uses professional quality equipment, which can easily cost more than twenty thousand dollars. The reason for the cost is not only the extra power and components, but professional machines are designed and built to work continuously, day after day, and still be reliable. The added strength and components requires that the person using the machine needs to undergo some training.

Medical microdermabrasion is separated from salon treatments by three factors:

Firstly, the machine used is even more powerful than those used in salon settings.

Secondly, due to the risks posed by the deeper penetration of the crystals, the aluminum oxide crystals have to be of medical grade – incredibly high purity.

Lastly, due to the extra power and risk involved, a professional person has to take responsibility – hence it only being available form medical professionals.

Medical microdermabrasion is the most effective treatment of the lot; but it is also the most expensive one of the lot. The qualifications needed to perform this procedure falls in the “professional services” category, and it is reflected in the price tag.