When your skin feels rough or your pores are congested, you know it’s time for some exfoliation. Usually, you can turn to acids or a chemical exfoliator, but when you really want an intense and effective physical exfoliation, at-home microdermabrasion is a great option.
What is micro peeling of the skin?
“Microdermabrasion is a form of exfoliation and can improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, discoloration, age spots, and melasma,” he explains. Marina Peredo, MDa board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.. “It’s a procedure that improves skin texture and tone. Microdermabrasion is non-invasive and usually uses aluminum oxide crystals to exfoliate the skin. The crystals are hard like diamonds but gentle.”
She notes that the treatment is good for all skin types and skin tones, but can be too harsh on sensitive or fragile skin. “If you have acne, rosacea, eczema, or atopic dermatitis, micro-exfoliation is probably not a good treatment for you,” she adds.
How does micro peeling work?
The tip of the microdermabrasion tool (pictured at left) features a ring of hard diamond-like aluminum oxide crystals. The tip connects to a suction device (pictured right) that allows the crystals to move across your face with some pressure, then suck up any dead skin, fat, or other debris that comes out.
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When you remove dead, uneven skin from your face, you keep your pores clean, which may help prevent pimples. Plus, it removes old skin that may have discolored due to dark spots while speeding up cell turnover, which can help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
The difference between skin peeling inside the office and at home
Micro-peeling is usually done by a dermatologist or cosmetologist, but there are tools that allow you to get similar results at home. However, Dr. Perido points out that getting an in-office skin peeling is more effective than using the DIY technique.
“Professional equipment is more powerful and the professionals performing the treatment can guide the patient to the best possible outcome,” says Dr. Peridot. When you are in control is very It’s easy to overdo it, which can cause irritation, acne, and bruising.
However, if you are careful and use a good tool, microdermabrasion at home is not difficult. If it’s within your budget, it may be worth booking at least one session with a professional before going into it on your own so you at least know how you should feel. Below, learn how to perform microdermabrasion at home and the best tools to use.
How to do peeling at home
1. Choose the right tool
When performing micro-exfoliation on yourself, it is important to have a tool with which you feel you have good control. Some tools provide different levels of suction while others have only one setting and are controlled by how hard you press down. Shop three options below.
PMD Personal Microderm Classic – $159.00
This PMD tool works in one speed and comes with six heads (three for the face and three for the body) with three different degrees of exfoliation. The brand offers eight heads in total available for purchase separately. Operates with a reusable lid and filter that must be washed after each use.
Lancer Skincare Pro Polish Microdermabrasion Device – $200.00
This Lancer tool comes with three suction modes (low, medium and high) and two heads (one for the face, one for the body). It features a swivel head to allow you to change the angle of the head to help you perform the treatment with ease. They come with disposable filters that must be changed after each use.
Trophy Skin UltradermD – $349.00
This tool takes all the guesswork out of skin peeling at home. It features four guided modes (automatic, sensitive, kinetic, and extraction) that guide you through your treatment, showing you when to move to a different area of your face while automatically changing the level of suction. It also features a manual mode for experienced users.
2. Read the instructions
This may sound obvious, but exfoliating your skin with a bunch of tiny crystals and suctioning isn’t the time to just wing it. Sit down with your device and read the instructions before you even think about touching it with your body.
3. Wash your face
“You should prepare your skin by cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil or makeup and then letting your face dry completely,” says Dr. Peridot. This prevents you from taking any sticky substance on your skin and grinding it deeper into your skin.
4. Start low and slow
If your machine has multiple heads, use the one with the best grit. “When applying to the face, it should have a smooth texture and not too rough on the skin,” says Dr. Peridot. While using it, start with low suction and don’t press it into the skin too hard. “You should always start with the bottom line to see how your skin reacts.”
5. Tighten your skin
To be able to easily swipe the tool over your skin, pull your skin taut, as you would when applying eyeliner. This gives you a smooth surface so the tool won’t get stuck in the curves and lines of your skin.
6. Move fast
During the micro-peeling procedure, you must keep the tool moving. Do not hover in one place and do not go over an area more than twice. Follow an upward motion as you gently move the tool across your skin. You should feel suctioning and exfoliating, but that shouldn’t be annoying — and it certainly won’t hurt. Also keep in mind that certain areas, like your eyes, won’t be able to handle strong pressure like your forehead, so be sure to walk gently in these spots. Listen to how the device feels on your face and adjust the pressure accordingly.
7. Finish with soothing products
After careful peeling, it should not hurt your skin, but it can be a little sensitive. Use soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides to relax your skin while it recovers.
8. Clean the flange and replace the filter.
With the device unplugged, remove the tip and clean it with your face wash and a soft brush (such as a toothbrush). Rinse and allow to dry completely before next use. If your device has disposable filters (to capture all the pollutants removed from your face), change the filter.
9. Repeat weekly
Since home exfoliators are not as powerful as office tools, you can use them more often. Space your sessions apart for at least a week.
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