Why Microdermabrasion Is the “Horse and Buggy” of Aesthetics

To those lovers of microdermabrasion I ask, “Why?” The 21st century has moved on and the technology is obsolete. It’s fine if all you want is a light exfoliation, however, you can do the same thing at home with a gentle exfoliating scrub, a facial brush...

Microdermabrasion is Over-Hyped

The problem with microdermabrasion is ever since it debuted over 30 years ago, it has been sold as a cure for every skin issue that ever existed. Every day I consult with patients that say they have treated their scars or brown spots for years with microdermabrasion without success. It is not successful because microdermabrasion cannot get to the deep layers of skin, it is too superficial of a treatment. It’s that simple.

More Harm Than Good

Not only is it a do nothing treatment, but it can irritate rosacea. The suction that is vacuuming up the exfoliated skin is also strong enough to break delicate capillaries in someone prone to get them. Rosacea is one of the most common skin problems, over 16 million Americans suffer from it, and a person with rosacea should NEVER have a microdermabrasion treatment.

Why is it so Popular?

The reason for the popularity of microdermabrasion is that it is a feel-good treatment. You can feel it doing something, you can see the exfoliated skin, your skin appears smoother and brighter. It is also popular because it has no downtime and many people are not willing to appear red or flakey for any length of time. When microdermabrasion was first introduced it was cutting edge, the latest and greatest, it was the only device for aesthetic improvement with little or no downtime.

What Else is There?

For the same amount of money as a microdermabrasion, or possibly less, you could have any number of medical treatments that can actually improve your skin. Some of the possibilities include chemical peels, microneedling, laser peels, broadband light, intense pulsed light, fractional resurfacing and the list keeps growing. The good news is there are more devices on the market now with better results and still very little downtime.

Decide What Your Goals Are

If your goal is to have a relaxing, polishing spa treatment, then microdermabrasion may be a good choice for you unless you have rosacea. Just don’t expect any long lasting benefits from microdermabrasion. The “feeling” is short lived. If, however, you are looking to change and improve your skin then you need to talk to your Board Certified Dermatologist. We at Soine Dermatology & Aesthetics will have answers to your most troubling issues and can guide you to make the choices to improve your skin.