Regarding the great amount of microdermabrasion products on the market it's really hard to find out which is the best product for the individual needs of your skin. It's a jungle of microdermabrasion products. Each cosmetic company claims to have the best product, but information about which product or method to use for which demands is hard to find.

The Traditional Crystal Microdermabrasion

This method relies on tiny crystals blasted onto the skin. The crystals used are normally aluminum oxide crystal which are sometimes also called corundum crystals. Those hard, but very light crystals perform the removal of the dead skin cells on the top skin layer.

How it Works:

A cartridge filled with crystals feeds the machine consisting of a tubing system, wand and tip. After skin contact they are sucked back into the tubing system and stored in another container for disposal.

What it is Used for, its Pros and Contras

Because of the hardness of aluminum oxide crystals this method is best suitable for deeper acne scars. Normal scars are much less affected by it. Another crystal method uses organic sodium bicarbonate crystals which are not as hard as aluminum oxide crystals, but have antiseptic properties. Due to this fact sodium bicarbonate crystals are best suitable as acute acne treatment.

Contra: Crystal microdermabrasion does have some risks to it, therefore it should only be done by specially trained persons. Specialist treatment can be very expensive. Accidental crystal inhalation can temporarily lead to respiratory problems. The crystals should never reach into the eyes or nostrils as this can cause serious irritation of the mucous membranes.

Pro: Crystal microdermabrasion technique does not hurt and it's usually very effective.

Home Microdermabrasion Methods

Nowadays a lot of home microdermabrasion kits can be found on the market. They packets come with a cream containing microdermabrasion crystals, a hand piece and, in some cases, also a foam head to apply the cream more evenly.

How it Works:

Before applying the microdermabrasion cream you should wash your face. Then apply the cream evenly on your face and massage it into the skin with the hand piece or with your fingers for a few minutes. Then, wash away all remains of the cream with lukewarm water and tap the skin gently dry.

What it is Used for, its Pros and Contras

A home microdermabrasion cream is best suitable for moderate scarring, like acne or chicken pox scars. Home microdermabrasion creams give the skin a soft and smooth texture and they are, if not applied too often, completely unharmful for the skin.

Cons: There are no noticeable results in the application of the creams onto very deep scars, even though they still smooth out the skin.