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Have you taken into consideration using microdermabrasion to smooth your scars? You might have thought about which technique is the best one for your concerns. Because of the many microdermabrasion products and techniques you might have realized it's difficult to find that out. Every cosmetic manufacturer claims to have the best product. Let's have a look at the most common methods used, how they work and how they act on your skin.

Microdermabrasion Machines

This traditional method relies on tiny crystals blasted onto the skin with the help of a microdermabrasion machine. The machine consists of a tubing system and 2 cartridges, the cartridge filled with crystals leads them to the the wand which in a second step releases them with pressure to the skin. After scrubbing off the top dead skin cells they are then sucked back into another tube and stored in another cartridge before disposal. This technique is best used for deep scars, because of the hard texture of the crystals.

The tiny crystals used are called aluminum oxide crystal or sometimes also corundum crystals. Those hard, but very light crystals exfoliate, meaning peel away, the dead cells on the top layer of the skin.

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 are well usable as acne treatment.

Be Aware of Side-Effects and Over-Expensive Treatments

Facts in Contra: Only experienced and specially trained persons should perform crystal microdermabrasion as there are some risks to it. Depending on the frequency of the treatment, this might get expensive. But, keep in mind, accidental inhalation of crystals can temporarily lead to respiratory problems and the crystals should never get into the eyes or nostrils as this can cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes.

Facts in Pro: Crystal microdermabrasion technique does not hurt and is usually very effective.

Home Microdermabrasion Methods

A range of home microdermabrasion kits exist nowadays, they usually consist of a hand piece to massage the microdermabrasion cream on the skin and the cream itself which contains micro-crystals. Some kits may also include a foam head to apply the cream regularly.

How Home Microdermabrasion works:

Clean your face with lukewarm water and then apply the cream evenly massaging on your skin with the wand or your fingers for some minutes. Then, wash away all remains of the cream with lukewarm water and tap the skin dry gently. The microcrystals contained in the cream perform like the ones used by the machine, the exfoliation process of dead skin cells.

The use of Microdermabrasion Cream, its Pros and Contras

The home microdermabrasion cream is used for all kind of moderate scarring, like chicken pox scars and normal acne scars. They are, if applied correctly and not too often, completely unharmful and give the skin its smooth and even texture back.

Facts Contra: Microdermabrasion creams are not very effective on big deeply pitted scars, but they still can help the skin to speed up the skin cell regeneration process.