Microdermabrasion | Costs & Disadvantages

The process is about making your skin look healthier and younger by removing the surface layers of dead, dull skin cells.

Note that microdermabrasion is most effective for the treatment of scars if the scar is raised.

The microdermabrasion procedure is typically done by a professional as an office visit and works by applying fine aluminum oxide crystals to your skin.

These crystals will remove the outer dead layers of the skin. In particular this stimulates blood flow to the surface of the skin increasing the oxygenation which is what allows skin regrowth of collagen which in turn causes skin cell renewal.

The massaging action of the microdermabrasion procedure gets below the skin to flush and cleanse producing that healthy, natural look.

As an adult, your skin cells typically replace themselves about every 28 days or so, but with a microdermabrasion treatment those skin cells get replaced faster resulting in new skin cells coming up to the surface a lot quicker.

The process takes about 20-40 minutes and there isn't really any pain involved except that some people do complain of some redness and irritation afterwards.

However, after just one treatment, microdermabrasion can really fade fine lines and wrinkles as well as fade age spots and damage from the sun. It can also refine enlarged pores and stimulate circulation which is what gives your skin that glowing, healthy look that we all love.

The Downside of Microdermabrasion

The microdermabrasion treatments can give you the feeling of a new face, but the one big disadvantage is that it's expensive.

The national average of 1999 surgeon fees for microdermabrasion was $181 (Source: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).

U.S. Regional averages:

New England states: $193

Middle Atlantic states: $219

South central states: $163

North central states: $154

Mountain/Pacific states: $189

Those figures are even a little dated, today you can expect costs that are about 10% higher. And these fees don't include anesthesia, the operating room facility, hospital stays (if needed) or any other related expenses.

Fortunately there is an alternative to expensive microdermabrasion office treatments which are the microderm abrasion kits you can use right in the comfort of your own home. The really good news is that they will cost you considerably less money.