What should you know about personal microdermabrasion?

Home microdermabrasion can make the outer surface feel temporarily smoother by loosening dead cells. It does not remove all acne scars, erase wrinkles, or reliably clear pigmentation. Results depend on the device, pressure, skin condition, and how often it is used.

The skin barrier may feel tight, dry, warm, or sensitive afterward. Scrubbing over active acne, eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, a wound, or a cold sore can intensify inflammation and delay recovery.

Begin with clean, dry skin and the mildest setting recommended by the manufacturer. Keep each pass light and moving, and avoid eyelids, lips, moles, and any area that is sore or broken. Use only a clean attachment and do not lend the device to another person.

Afterward, use gentle moisturiser and sunscreen. Avoid retinoids, exfoliating acids, rough scrubs, waxing, and fragranced products while the skin is sensitive. If your concern is stubborn texture or discolouration, a clinician can compare this approach with a Chemical Peel or another option.

Contact a clinician if pain, swelling, warmth, redness, crusting, or discharge is increasing rather than settling. Ask for an examination of any changing, bleeding, or non-healing spot before treating it at home. Persistent burning or unexpected colour change should also be reviewed.

Discuss your skin diagnosis, current products and medicines, recent sun exposure, and previous procedures. Ask which areas are safe to treat, how often to use the device, and what alternative would address the actual cause of your concern.