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Microdermabrasion vs Microneedling
Finding the right skincare treatment that will address skin concerns can be difficult. Two such popular treatments that make visible changes in your skin are microdermabrasion and microneedling. Both treatments are considered professional services that you can get at a medispa or dermatologist’s office, but there are also modified versions that you can do at home with the right products and tools. So, if you have ever confused the two (and it’s easy to see why since they both start with the word “micro”) here’s a quick guide for telling the difference and determining which one is right for your skin.
What is Microdermabrasion?
The definition of microdermabrasion is a process in which a skincare professional uses a tool to lightly exfoliate the skin. The goal is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells to improve the texture and tone reducing hyperpigmentation, scars and even age spots. There are at-home kits that follow the same basic procedure without going to a doctor’s office or medispa.
These kits usually include a device that blasts the skin with tiny microparticles that are crystal or have a diamond-based tip on the tool to buff away dead skin cells. Some kits may offer microdermabrasion scrubs that don’t use a tool, but instead have some pretty heavy-duty exfoliating particles in the product to simulate a microdermabrasion treatment.
No matter which type of tool or product is used, whether it’s at a skincare professional’s office or with at home, the goal is essentially the same: A super exfoliation of the skin to remove dead skin cells and debris that is clogging the pores and making the skin dull.
What Does Microdermabrasion Treat?
Microdermabrasion treatments are performed with the intent of improving the skin in a number of ways. For normal skin, it will give the skin a refreshed and radiant glow. It also can help address the following issues and makes noticeable improvements in the skin:
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Dull skin tone
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Dark spots, age spots, and sun damage
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Rough patches
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Clogged pores with blackheads
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Fine lines and wrinkles
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Large pores
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Acne scarring
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Collagen production
Microdermabrasion is such an easy way to make real improvements in the skin can be done on a regular basis.
How Does Microdermabrasion Work?
The microdermabrasion cosmetic procedure works by enacting a super state of exfoliation in this deep polishing technique. In this way, the skin sheds dead skin cells faster and stimulates collagen production to make skin cells turn over better. The more effective the turnover, the better the results of a more even tone and smoother texture. Pores appear smaller and are less clogged. Overall, the appearance of the skin is radiant and healthy.
The increase in collagen production will help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as an anti-aging treatment. The skin will look smoother and be firmer as well.
So, whether you do the treatment at home with a device or go to a dermatologist, the results will be similar. You won’t, however, get the same results using a strictly microdermabrasion-based scrub as you would with a microdermabrasion device.
It’s also important to remember to treat the new skin after any microdermabrasion procedure with serums and moisturizers to hydrate and protect it. You may be wondering how often you can get microdermabrasion treatment? In a dermatologist’s office, it’s every two to four weeks. Some of the at-home kits aren’t as intensive, and you can do them more often. Most people aim to use them once a week.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy (CIT), is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a device with tiny stainless-steel needles to superficially stimulate skin. The microneedling procedure can be done as an office treatment at a medispa or dermatologist. The treatment uses an automatic pen with microscopic needles controlled by a skin practitioner.
The concept of doing this type of treatment at home with a tool is called derma rolling. At Cosmedica Skincare, we offer a Derma Roller System for microneedling treatment you can easily do at home. The derma roller has very fine needles that move painlessly over the skin to cause hundreds of tiny punctures in the top layer of skin causing a healing process that helps to increase blood flow and skin rejuvenation. In turn, the healing process triggers collagen and elastin production and allows skincare products to absorb better in any skin type or color.
What Does Microneedling Treat?
Microneedling treats a number of skin issues by generating new collagen and elastin. This will address the following issues.
- Acne scars
- Hyperpigmentation
- Stretch marks
- Large pores
- Fine lines and wrinkles
How Does Microneedling Work?
A typical microneedling session in a skincare practitioner's office is done with a skin pen that the FDA has classified as a medical device. Sometimes this treatment is referred to as a vampire facial if it’s microneedling with PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, that comes from your own blood cells. There is also regular microneedling without PRP that just uses the microneedling pen.
Inside the pen, there are tiny needles that are stainless steel. During the treatment, each one of these needles causes slight injuries in the form of tiny holes in the skin, which triggers beneficial turnover and enhanced collagen production. The needles vibrate at a sonic rate of at least 6,000 to 8,000 rpm (rate per minute). You’ll notice a little redness after the treatment, but improved skin texture, tone, and radiance.
When using our Cosmedica Skincare’s Derma Roller System, the handheld device has 540 stainless steel needles that roll, without any pain, across the skin. It’s meant to be used every two to seven days on clean skin. All you have to do is roll the device over the skin four to five times in each direction across your face, avoiding the eye area, lips, and nose. Use it for at least a full minute to effectively stimulate the surface of your skin. Our Derma Roller System will create a brighter complexion, giving you glowing and radiant skin that is more flawless-looking in every way. Want to know more about how microneedling can benefit you? Read more about how it treats acne or what aftercare looks like.
Skincare Products to Combat Similar Issues
As we mentioned before, our Cosmedica Skincare Derma Roller System is a great tool to try that produces similar results to what you can get with professional microneedling. We also offer other products that will combat similar skincare issues and are effective treatment for the problems that microdermabrasion and microneedling aim to solve. Here are some of our favorites:
A cleanser that is geared towards brightening the skin and making the texture more even. Our Vitamin C Facial Cleanser is loaded with antioxidants to help repair and protect the skin from environmental damage. Use it twice a day to sweep away dirt, oil, and makeup for sparkling, clean skin.
A scrub is one of the best ways to exfoliate the skin, but when you add in a chemical exfoliate like glycolic acid, you will get a more effective deep-down exfoliation. This is the product you need to treat dull skin. Plus, it diminishes fine lines and reduces hyperpigmentation or age spots. Get ready for a boost of radiance that will leave your friends and family asking if you just went on vacation because your skin looks so fantastic.
One of our newest products is the Hyaluronic Dew Multi-Mask. It’s a boost of beneficial hydration that will infuse the skin with moisture. Dry patches and dehydrated skin will be a thing of the past. You’ll notice skin that is plumped up, nourished, and glowing with a beautiful dewiness. All it takes is 10 to 15 minutes, and then a quick rinse. You can even leave it on overnight.
Advanced 2.5 % Retinol Facial Serum
This serum will make a significant difference in the way your skin looks. Powerful retinol is the key to skin transformation. Your skin will feel more firm, brighter, and have a more youthful look. It’s a blend of hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to bind moisture to the skin while delivering effective retinol for a dramatic difference in your skin.
Multi-Active Hydrating Night Cream
Your skin naturally renews itself at night. You can give it the extra nutrients it needs to smooth away rough patches and wake up to better skin with our Multi-Active Hydrating Night Cream. Alpha-hydroxy in this cream will refine and retexturize the skin, making imperfections less noticeable.
With nourishing rose hip seed oil and vitamin C to correct skin’s discoloration and imperfections, this day cream is a little bit of magic in a jar. Its super-rich texture feels luxurious on the skin, so that each time you use it, you’ll notice an improvement in dull, aging skin. Say goodbye to redness and irritation with this gentle formula that is exactly what your skin needs.
2.5 % Retinol Facial Night Cream
A night cream that not only hydrates but helps the skin cells turn over faster is our 2.5 % Retinol Facial Night Cream. It dramatically renews your skin while you sleep without any effort on your part. This night cream will make your skin look better in every way and goes a long way to improve redness, fine lines, and dry patches.