7 Best Microdermabrasion at Home Machines

You only have seven seconds to make a great first impression. That, coupled with the fact that clear, unblemished skin is associated with good health and upbringing, makes skincare incredibly important.

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy, youthful, and glowing complexion is to regularly get microdermabrasion treatments. However, we all know that many of us don’t have the time or money to do that.

Well, enter microdermabrasion machines for home use. These machines are designed to be a cost-effective alternative to professional treatments at a spa.

In this guide, we’ll talk about the benefits of having the best microdermabrasion machine at home, as well as all of the most compelling reasons why you should get your hands on these devices. Additionally, we’ll help you choose the best at-home microdermabrasion device for your needs and give you a few tips for using it properly.

Ready? Let’s go!

Benefits of microdermabrasion at home

Microdermabrasion removes dead skin cells and encourages the formation of younger and healthier cells. In the process, it helps with the following skin concerns:

• Rough skin texture. Roughness on the skin is usually caused by the accumulation of dead skin cells. When dead skin isn’t properly removed, it builds upon the skin’s surface and prevents the younger, smoother, and fresher layers of skin underneath from being revealed. This is why microdermabrasion is highly recommended if you want smoother skin.
• Acne marks and hyperpigmentation. Exfoliation through microdermabrasion will help your skin shed its upper layers that may have been marred by pigmentation from acne, irritation, or sun exposure. Over time, as new layers of skin replace the older layers that have been affected by dark spots, you’ll notice that your acne marks and sunspots will eventually fade.
• Uneven skin tone. Just like how it helps fade dark spots, microdermabrasion also helps even out skin tone by encouraging darker patches of skin to shed.
• Fine lines and wrinkles. Microdermabrasion also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin—two important proteins that give the skin its structure, strength, and elasticity. Collagen and elastin help the skin resist signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles.
• Clogged pores. Clogged pores occur when dead skin cells, combined with oil and dirt, accumulate and become trapped in your skin. This can lead to all sorts of skin problems, so it should be remedied as quickly as possible. Performing microdermabrasion removes dead skin cells, which helps you maintain clean and clear skin.
• Acne prevention. Acne happens when bacteria infect the built-up dead skin cells, dirt, and oil inside your pores — causing your skin to become inflamed. That said, keeping your skin clean and your pores unclogged through a microdermabrasion machine will help fight acne formation.

Why should you get your own microdermabrasion machine at home?

We can all agree that the abovementioned benefits of microdermabrasion are already pretty convincing. But if you’re looking for just a little more push, here are the top reasons you should invest in a microdermabrasion machine that you can use at home.

It’s an easy and non-invasive way to visibly improve your skin’s appearance.

Performing microdermabrasion at home is an easy yet effective way to address various skin concerns. It’s not as invasive as more powerful treatments like fractional lasers and deep chemical peels, but it’s guaranteed to produce visible results, especially after a couple of sessions.

What’s more, having microdermabrasion at home is relatively quick. One session wouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes, and after a single session, you’re good to go for a couple of days. It’s not as burdensome as religiously applying a cream twice a day, every single day. No need to allot time for traveling to and from a clinic, either.

It’s virtually painless and requires no downtime.

If you’re a busy bee, you know how inconvenient downtime can be. With microdermabrasion, you can instantly resume your normal day-to-day activities right after treatment (as long as you don’t go directly under the sun, of course). No need to miss a few days of work. Bed rest? Not necessary!

It’s cost-effective.

While at-home microdermabrasion machines are generally a bit pricey, they’re all undoubtedly a lot more cost-effective than having to go to a clinic or spa multiple times. Over time, the machine you purchased will pay for itself.

How to choose the best microdermabrasion at home machine

Here are all the factors you have to consider when scouring the market and choosing the best microdermabrasion machine for yourself.

Crystal/Diamond tip

The exfoliating tip is primarily responsible for loosening dead skin cells. That said, the best microdermabrasion machines will usually either use a crystal tip or a diamond tip to exfoliate the skin.

Some models even come with multiple wand tips to cater to different skin types and body parts. The coarser the tip, the higher its exfoliation power is. However, note that coarser tips are more likely to irritate sensitive skin.

Suction Power

Aside from the quality of the tip, the device’s suction power is the most important feature you should look for in a microdermabrasion machine. Suction is necessary to remove dead skin, debris, and dirt from your pores.

Buying a machine whose section is too strong may lead to damaged skin. On the flip side, a device whose suction is too weak won’t give you the results you’re looking for. It’s important, then, to ensure that the model you’re eyeing will meet your needs. If you want assurance, go for something that features adjustable suction strengths so you can choose the right level for you.

User-friendliness and ergonomics

Lightweight and ergonomically-designed devices will be much more comfortable to hold and control during treatments. You’ll also want to invest in a device that is user-friendly. Using it should be intuitive, and its control buttons and usage instructions must be clear and easy to understand.

For something that you have to hold and maneuver for 10 to 20 minutes, it shouldn’t feel too heavy or bulky in your hand. If it doesn’t feel comfortable enough, you might not be inclined to use the device as often as you should.

Included accessories

Some microdermabrasion kits for home use come with accessories that could enhance your treatments or make your experience more convenient. Common accessories include extra crystal tips, free replacement filters, a travel case, extra batteries, or even cleansers and creams that you can use before or after your treatment.

Durability and maintenance

Obviously, you’ll want to buy a microdermabrasion machine that will stand the test of time. When researching, it’s important to look at reviews to check whether the machine is durable or not.

Additionally, consider the complexity of the cleaning and maintenance process. As with any other treatment, the result you get is only as good as the machine you use. That said, choose a device that isn’t too difficult to clean and maintain. Does it need to be disassembled for cleaning after every use? Are filter replacements enough? It’s important to be honest with yourself and assess which machines you can realistically maintain.

Portability

Are you looking for something that you can easily take with you on your travels? Are machines that require an external power source too fussy for you? Would you like to have a completely cord-free device? Take these things into consideration when choosing the best microdermabrasion machine.

If you live a jet-setting lifestyle, go for something that comes with a case. It might also be helpful to ensure that the case has enough space for all the accessories you need. This way, you can avoid losing these accessories in transit.

Price and warranty

A microdermabrasion machine is an awesome investment. But at the same time, you wouldn’t want to buy something that will make you go broke.

Assess the cost of a product against the features and accessories it comes with. Take any warranties or guarantees into consideration, as well. A pricey product may be off-putting at first, but if it comes with an excellent warranty policy, the peace of mind you’ll get to enjoy might make it well worth the price.

Is microdermabrasion at home safe?

Giving yourself a microdermabrasion treatment at home is safe, but note that you have to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. If you don’t, you risk bruising yourself or getting broken vessels. To safeguard your safety, check out our useful tips and tricks below.

Are there any side effects?

Side effects will vary from person to person, but normal side effects of microdermabrasion include some redness and tightness. Remember: you’re basically sloughing off the topmost layer of your skin, so your body will react as if it were an injury.

That said, these are all very minimal compared to other exfoliation procedures like chemical peels. Some people might even hardly experience any side effects at all.

Usage tips and tricks

1. Start off with clean skin.

Starting with a freshly-cleansed face is important in microdermabrasion. You wouldn’t want to use your device on greasy, bacteria-infested skin, would you? For best results, use a gentle cleanser that’s oil- and fragrance-free. This will help minimize irritation and redness after the treatment.

2. Make sure your microdermabrasion machine is clean and dry before using it.

Starting off with a clean face is useless if the machine itself is dirty, right? Also, microdermabrasion machines should be used dry.

3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Different machines will come with different instructions. Regardless of the model and make you have, it’s always best if you take the manufacturer’s instructions to heart before your first treatment. This way, you can avoid any untoward incidents that could arise due to improper use.

4. If it’s your first time, start on the lowest suction level.

You never really know how powerful a machine is until you try it. That’s why starting on the lowest exfoliation setting is a smart move. If it’s too weak, you can easily adjust the controls and move on to a more powerful setting. But if you start with a high suction level right away, you risk damaging or injuring your skin.

5. Don’t overdo it!

Your skin needs enough time to recover after every microdermabrasion session. Exfoliation is great—scratch that, it’s amazing and everyone needs to do it. However, over-exfoliation is a thing, and exfoliation is something you shouldn’t do more than twice a week.

Using an at-home microdermabrasion machine too frequently can lead to severe irritation, inflammation, flaking and peeling skin, and even rashes and burning. Obviously, no one wants to go through that, so take it slow.

6. Perform filter replacements as needed.

As you exfoliate your skin using a microdermabrasion machine, dead skin and dirt accumulate and build upon the filter. Replacing the filter regularly will help prevent build-up from clogging the machine. Also, it will safeguard the quality and performance of the device itself—therefore giving you the best possible results with each use.

7. Avoid the sun in the next couple of days.

Any means of exfoliation will make your skin more vulnerable to the damaging effects of the sun’s rays. After all, you’re exposing a brand-new layer of skin cells that are more sensitive to UV damage. That said, avoid going out under the sun for a few days after each treatment.

8. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen every day.

Sunscreen is something that you should wear every day, period. It doesn’t matter whether your last microdermabrasion session was yesterday or last week, you should still be wearing sunscreen diligently.

Many of our skin problems, such as fine lines, dark spots, and uneven skin tone, are triggered by UV exposure. Microdermabrasion may help address these issues, but your efforts will all be in vain if you don’t protect your skin from the sun.