With the introduction of home microdermabrasion kits, people often ask about the difference between professional and home dermabrasion kits. There is a lot of difference in the costs of both. Is there same degree of difference in their results?
Most home microdermabrasion products do some skin peeling, but their effect is so mild that they should not even be called microdermabrasion. They are nearer to scrub than to microdermabrasion.
But all home dermabrasion kits are not the same. Many home kits like Youthful Essence, Personal Microderm System, and Dermanew (to name a few) can give you surprisingly good results.
As the product becomes more effective at peeling off the outer layer of skin, it needs a more skilled person to operate. Similarly, effective home derma kits require cautious use. That’s why, I prefer professional microdermabrasion performed by trained people, rather than risking my skin. Due to this reason, I recommend professional microdermabrasion as the main treatment and the use of home microderma kits to maintain the results for longer periods of time.
You can try home kits (which come close to professional treatment) before professional peeling, to have an idea of what home kits can do for your skin. Then you can have a professional treatment and see the difference. But remember that both treatments require care, like cleanser before the treatment, moisturizing and nourishing cream after the treatment, and daily sun protection.
For fine lines, minor scars, age spots, and overall improvement in complexion, professional treatment is more effective due to its precision and depth of the abrasion. Following table shows a comparison between professional treatment and home kits.
| Professional Treatment | Home kits | |
| Place differences | You have to take the appointment and go to the doctor’s office or beauty clinic. | You can have it in the comfort of your own home. |
| Intensity of treatment | Machines, which go deeper in the skin, are only available at professional treatment, and can be operated only by trained dermatologists or their trained staff. | Home kits do not abrade deeper layers of skin. |
| Procedure | Professional treatment uses handheld machines to spray and circulate high-pressure crystals (aluminum oxide, sodium chloride, or sodium bicarbonate) onto the skin. They abrade the top layers of skin, suck the abraded skin and used crystals at the same time. | You apply special creams with a hand or with a small foam applicator instead of machines. You massage it yourself and wash the skin afterwards. |
| Precision | A trained professional moves the wand over the skin, applying steady and even pressure to achieving uniform peeling. This professional knows how many times to go over the skin (1-3 passes per session). | Even, good home kits use the same crystals used in professional machines, hands tend to be less steady and precise. |
| Recovery | After professional treatment, skin remains red for about 24 hours. | Home kits are less aggressive, and do not cause much redness of the skin. |
| Time | Professional treatment takes between 20 to 60 minutes. | Home kits require about 10 minutes per session. |
| Cost | It costs between $75 and $200 per session. | Home kits are much cheaper and cost between $1 and $3 per session. |