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Have you taken into consideration using microdermabrasion to smooth your scars? Maybe you wondered which method is best for your skin's needs. Due to the many microdermabrasion products and techniques and products you might find it difficult to find that out. Each 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 technique is the traditional one, using micro crystals that are blasted onto the skin to scrub off the dead skin cells. The machine consists of different cartridges and a tubing system, the one filled with crystals feeds the wand which then releases them with pressure onto the upper skin layer. After making contact with the skin the crystals 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 aluminum oxide crystal or sometimes also corundum crystals. These light, but very hard micro crystals exfoliate, meaning peel away, the dead cells on the top layer of the skin.

Sodium bicarbonate micro crystals are used in this technique too, they are not as hard as aluminum oxide crystals, but are known to have antiseptic properties. Due to this fact sodium bicarbonate crystals are best suitable as acne treatment.

Be Aware of Side-Effects and Over-Expensive Treatments

Facts in Contra: Crystal microdermabrasion should only be done by specialists as there are some risks to it. Specialist treatment can be very expensive. But, be aware, accidental crystal inhalation can temporarily lead to respiratory problems and the crystals should never get into the nostrils or eyes as this can cause severe irritation of the mucous membranes.

Facts in Pro: Using micro-crystal microdermabrasion is normally very effective and absolutely painless.

Home Microdermabrasion Methods

There are many home microdermabrasion kits available, they usually consist of a hand piece to massage the microdermabrasion cream on the skin and the cream itself which contains micro-crystals. A foam head, to apply the cream evenly, is also included in some kits.

How Home Microdermabrasion 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. Rinse the cream away thoroughly and gently dry your skin. 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.