Regarding the huge 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 microdermabrasion jungle out there. Each cosmetic company claims to have the best product, but information about which product to use for which skin concerns is hard to find.

The Traditional Crystal Microdermabrasion

Tiny crystals which are blasted on the the skin are used in this method. The crystals used are commonly aluminum oxide crystal or sometimes also called corundum crystals. Those hard, but very light crystals perform the peeling of the skin's dead 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 hard structure of aluminum oxide crystals this method is best suitable for deeper acne scars. Normal scars are very little affected by it. Another microdermabrasion 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 should only be done by specialists as there are some risks to it. Specialist treatment can be very expensive. Accidental crystal inhalation can temporarily lead to respiratory problems. Deviation of the crystals into eyes and nostrils can cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes.

Pro: Crystal microdermabrasion technique shows good results and is absolutely painless.

Home Microdermabrasion Methods

There are many home microdermabrasion kits available, they usually consist of a microdermabrasion cream containing crystals and a hand piece which massages the cream on the skin, some kits may also include a foam head to apply the cream regularly.

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. Finally, wash away the cream with warm water and tap the skin carefully dry.

What it is Used for, its Pros and Contras

A home microdermabrasion cream is best suitable for moderate scarring, like chicken pox scars or acne. They are, if applied correctly and not too often, completely unharmful and give the skin its smooth and even texture back.

Cons: For very deep scars the creams are not optimal, they may make the skin smoother and more even, but the scars normally do not get noticeably better.