While you might have heard about skin dermabrasion, you may be asking “what is microdermoabrasion?” This treatment is an alternative to the more rigorous and harsh skin treatments previously available and it is rapidly gaining popularity among those who want great results without having to suffer through weeks of unsightly skin. Here we will discuss the basics of what is microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is similar to dermabrasion, but much gentler. It uses a crystallized cream containing aluminum-oxide crystals to gently abrade the skin and remove only the outer layers. This cream is most often applied with a battery-operated tool that has interchangeable heads, a scrubbing brush, an applicator, and a sponge. These help lightly “sand” the affected skin, remove it and then soothe it with a gel or cream designed to stimulate cell growth.

What is microdermabrasion effective at treating? This new method of improving problem skin is very useful for virtually any surface problem. It has been proven effective against fine lines and wrinkles, age or liver spots, mild sun damage and also surface scars, such as those caused by acne. It can also reduce or even eliminate stretch marks and large pores. Many people are turning to microdermabrasion for minor problems instead of resorting to the major process of chemical peels or regular dermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion has many benefits over the more standard, invasive techniques previously used to treat similar problems. For one, it has virtually no recovery time, you can do it on your lunch break and go right back to work afterwards. You might be a little red, but the slight discomfort experienced during the procedure shouldn’t affect you once it is over. You will probably even have your co-workers wondering what is microdermabrasion, eager to try something so simple.

By now, you are probably wondering “what is microdermabrasion NOT good at?” While very effective against surface problems like little scars and uneven skin tone and texture, microdermabrasion is not meant for deeper treatments. Even for such disorders as acne scarring or stretch marks, you may need repeated treatments in order to get the results you want. This can end up being nearly as expensive (though not as painful!) as a regular dermabrasion treatment.

If you were asking, “what is microdermabrasion?” you now know. Deciding whether or not to choose this treatment over regular skin resurfacing methods is really a matter of personal preference, budget and pain tolerance. Microdermabrasion might just be for you!