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Medical Author:

Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD

Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD

Dr. Alai is an actively practicing medical and surgical dermatologist in south Orange County, California. She has been a professor of dermatology and family medicine at the University of California, Irvine since 2000. She is U.S. board-certified in dermatology, a 10-year-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Fellow of the American Society of Mohs Surgery.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What is microdermabrasion?
• Who should consider microdermabrasion?
• How does microdermabrasion work?
• What ages are appropriate for microdermabrasion?
• How often can I have microdermabrasion?
• What does the vacuum do in microdermabrasion?
• What should people expect before, during, and after microdermabrasion?
• Does microdermabrasion help with acne scars?
• Can microdermabrasion help with melasma?
• Does medical insurance pay for microdermabrasion?
• Can microdermabrasion help with keratosis pilaris?
• What are possible side effects of microdermabrasion?
• How effective are at-home microdermabrasion kits?
• How much does at-home microdermabrasion cost?
• What home remedies can produce results like microdermabrasion?
• What is the average cost of professional microdermabrasion?
• Where can people get more information on microdermabrasion?
• Microdermabrasion At A Glance
• Find a local Doctor in your town
• Microdermabrasion Index

What home remedies can produce results like microdermabrasion?

There are multiple ways to exfoliate the skin:

• Use a pumice stone, loofah, or Buf-Puf.



• Use beach sand to gently exfoliate.



• Prepare homemade brown sugar and honey rubs.



• Apply sea salt rubs.



• Apply Epsom salts scrubs.

What is the average cost of professional microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion costs may range from $100-$250, the average cost being around $100 per session. Costs have decreased considerably over the last five to 10 years as these units have become more readily available. Professional microdermabrasion can usually be obtained in a doctor's office, typically dermatologists or less commonly plastic surgeons, as well as aesthetic spas, and facial clinics. Microdermabrasion is quite affordable and much less expensive than other skin-resurfacing treatments such as dermabrasion or laser peels, which may cost around $2,500.

Where can people get more information on microdermabrasion?

The treatment of microdermabrasion can be performed by a physician, a nurse, aesthetician, or other trained medical personnel. It is recommended for patients to consult a dermatologist or medical aesthetician before starting any resurfacing treatment. Careful evaluation on the patient's skin for changes in texture, severity of photoaging, depth of scarring, and the type of skin from a specialist will help patients select the proper resurfacing modality in order to address the skin problems effectively.

Microdermabrasion At A Glance

• Microdermabrasion is a simple, quick, and painless cosmetic treatment with no downtime and minimal risk.
• Microdermabrasion helps to gently exfoliate surface layers of skin using abrasion and suction.
• Microdermabrasion uses fine crystals or minute diamond-studded tips to abrade the skin and vacuum suction to remove dead skin cells.
• Microdermabrasion has low risk and rapid recovery; it is painless and requires no needles or anesthesia.
• Microdermabrasion can help improve the skin appearance by reducing fine lines, early sun damage, and mild, shallow acne marks. It is not as useful for deep acne scars or deep wrinkles.
• Skin may become noticeably smoother even after one treatment and better absorb moisturizers.
• It is an affordable professional treatment with a fairly low cost, averaging $100-$200 per treatment.
• Most often, microdermabrasion may be repeated every three to four weeks for optimal results.
• Microdermabrasion is not a laser.
• Several at-home microdermabrasion creams and home machines are now available.

REFERENCES:

Alkhawam, Lora, and Murad Alam. "Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion." Facial Plastic Surgery 25.5 Dec. 2009: 301-310.

Karimipour, D.J., G. Karimipour, and J.S. Orringer. "Microdermabrasion: An Evidence-Based Review." Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery 125.1 Jan. 2010: 372-377.

Wheatley, Michael J. "Financing Your Cosmetic Surgery." WebMD.com. Sept. 19, 2009. <http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/financing-your-cosmetic-surgery?action=related_link&src=rss_cbsnewsfull>.