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Updated April 30, 2015.

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure used as a facial rejuvenation tool.

During a microdermabrasion treatment, a machine is used to physically abrade the outermost layer of the skin while simultaneously vacuuming the exfoliated particles away. Although it sounds brutal, microdermabrasion is a non-invasive, and more-or-less painless, procedure.

Microdermabrasion originally was developed as an anti-aging treatment, but the procedure is popular among acne sufferers, too.


Microdermabrasion deeply exfoliates, softens and revitalizes the skin, and can help reduce non-inflamed blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Don’t confuse microdermabrasion with dermabrasion, though. They have similar sounding names but the procedures are very different. Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure done by a physician to treat acne scars (among other problems) and works on much deeper layers of the skin.

The main benefits of microdermabrasion are that it's quick, it's inexpensive compared to other skin rejuvenation procedures, and there is no down-time. You can have a treatment done during your lunch hour and head back to work directly afterwards.

When you're ready for a microdermabrasion treatment, call your local salon or day spa, medical spa, or dermatologist office. The pros there will let you know if microdermabrasion is a good treatment option for you.

<sub>Sources: American Academy of Dermatology. "Facial Skin Rejuventation." Schaumburg, IL; 2008.

Karimipour D, Kang S, Johnson TM, Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, Voorhees JJ, Fisher G. "Microdermabrasion: A molecular analysis following a single treatment."Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 52.2 (2005):215-23.</sub>