One of the fastest growing skin care and beauty trends is microdermabrasion. Once limited to day spas and doctor’s offices, microdermbrasion kits are now available for sale at your local drugstore. If you’ve never heard of this process before or are looking for a new way to liven up your skin, check out the possibilities microdermabrasion at home has in store for you.

Microdermabrasion is a special technique developed to smooth rough textured skin, promote new skin cell growth and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Ultra-fine aluminum-oxide crystals or other chemicals and ingredients are used to gently blast away the top layer of the skin, allowing the newer and fresher skin underneath to become exposed. The results can last between 3-6 weeks before another treatment is needed. Depending on your tolerance, having microdermabrasion done can be uncomfortable but is rarely painful. It is common for the skin to be red and very sensitive. This usually passes after a few hours.

The only downside to this process is that it often takes multiple treatments to get the best results and with microdermabrasion costing between $100-150 per treatment, not many people are able to afford it. In order to make microdermabrasion more accessible to the general public, manufacturers have developed microdermabrasion kits that can be used in the privacy of your own home. These kits are fairly inexpensive ($25-30+) compared to the professional treatments and can be purchased anywhere. At-home kits normally contain aluminum oxide crystals, creams, exfoliating micro-crystal creams, lotions and special applicators in the forms of wands and foams. When using an at-home microdermabrasion kit, make sure you do a patch test first. After applying the microdermabrasion treatment to your skin, thoroughly wash off the aluminum dioxide so there are no traces left. Because this process removes a layer of the skin, it is important to apply sunscreen to the area and stay out of direct sunlight after each treatment. Your skin is more prone to UV rays during this time so keep your skin safe from any sun damage.

Consumers should be cautious about using such kits in the home. Incorrect use can result in skin damage so it’s important to read all the directions carefully and contact the manufacturer or consult with an esthetician if you have any questions or concerns about the product you’re using. Consider getting it done professionally first to see how your skin reacts before buying an at-home kit. Also take your skin type into account. Microdermabrasion isn’t recommended for sensitive skin types or skin that reddens easily. Microdermabrasion, whether done professionally or at home, should not be used on a daily basis, but once every few weeks or as needed.   

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