Which Will Benefit You More? Microdermabrasion or Micropeels?

In effect, microdermabrasion and micropeels accomplish the same thing. They exfoliate. Both processes cause a sudden increase in cell turnover which forces your skin to do something it would not otherwise do-show newer, fresher skin cells faster. This is the reason regular microdermabrasion or micropeel treatments can help you look younger longer and stave off more radical treatments.

If you are considering a microdermabrasion or micropeel, there are factors you need to consider before deciding which is right for you. These are especially important if you are seeing an esthetician in a spa, or if you are going to do it yourself at home, as these situations tend to give the client more independence in making the choice than seeing a medical esthetician in a doctor's office.

Get out a pen and paper and answer the following questions.

First, let's ask a question most people don't bother with until after everything else is said and done, but is probably more important than 90% of the other questions out there. Will you be consistent and complete in your follow-up care? You know yourself better than anyone, and you need to know that you will keep up the steps of care that are needed after such a process. If you are certain you will, read on. If you are not sure or pretty certain you won't, save yourself some time, money and disappointment and put these procedures off until you know you will be able to give yourself consistent and proper post Uniquepurse care. You will not be happy with the results of your treatments if you do not take steps every day to maintain them.

You will definitely take care of yourself afterward? Good, let's move on . . .

1) What are your reasons for wanting micropeel or microdermabrasion treatments? Do you want to soften fine lines? Are you trying to improve the overall color of your skin? Do you want to improve acne? These are all valid reasons for trying these methods.

2) What is the condition of your skin? Is it dry and flaky? Oily and/or acne prone? Neither?

3) What is your comfort level with each process? Does the idea of gritty crystals on your face make you cringe? Are you frightened of even the smallest stinging sensation on your face?

Now, let's check your answers and decide which procedure is better for you.

1) If you wish to soften fine lines or improve the overall color of your skin, either procedure will work. If you want to improve the look of acne, the antiseptic nature of micropeels have a distinct advantage. In addition, microdermabrasion should never be used on severe acne, as it can actually spread the infection.*

2) Skin that is normal to dry should respond well to either treatment. Especially dry skin may benefit more from the physical exfoliation of microdermabrasion, simply because it gives the user a little more control than the acid in a micropeel. Oily and acne skins tend to respond better to the chemical exfoliation of a micropeel.

3) Microdermabrasion is going to feel like rubbing sand on your face. If you are especially sensitive, it may feel like sanding your face. While doing a microdermabrasion, the exfoliation is immediate and the results become visible over the next few days. With manual microdermabrasion (rather than a professional machine--all home microdermabrasion applies here) you can make the pressure as light and gentle as you like, though more pressure is going to yield more results.

A micropeel will probably give you a mild stinging sensation that may worsen as the peel stays on longer and does its work. A micropeel is going to have minimal exfoliation right away, but your skin will peel (sometimes dramatically) over the next week or so, exposing the fresh new skin underneath.

Once you have weighed the answers to these questions, you should have a pretty good idea which procedure is right for you. Keep in mind, you will probably need several treatments of either process to produce the desired result. If you are still not sure which treatment suits you better, make an appointment for a consultation with your esthetician or dermatologist. The small fee they charge you will pay for itself in improved results. And as always, consistency in your post procedure care is of the utmost importance in making your results last and the overall health of your skin.

* Severe acne should always be treated by a doctor.

Marie Esselstein is the Managing Esthetician of http://www.notsonaturalbeauty.com