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Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion

A woman's bare shoulder beside a dark marble block with a handpiece and a dish of crystals

Two procedures share a root word and little else. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery says dermabrasion uses a wire brush or a diamond wheel with rough edges to remove and level the upper layer of skin, that the treated area heals so new skin can grow in its place, and that it is often used for facial procedures. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says dermabrasion and dermaplaning help to "refinish" the skin's top layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping, and that the treatments soften the sharp edges of surface irregularities, giving the skin a smoother appearance.

Microdermabrasion is the lighter of the two. Cleveland Clinic says microdermabrasion uses a spray of tiny abrasive crystals to soften all skin types, that it is a lighter procedure than dermabrasion and won't work for deep skin issues such as stretch marks, scars or wrinkles, and that it doesn't require anesthesia and your skin recovers in 24 hours. The American Academy of Dermatology says microdermabrasion appeals to many patients because they can see more youthful skin without having downtime. Read its overview of microdermabrasion before you decide which procedure to ask about.

Read the claims for each procedure against a second source. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery lists microdermabrasion as relatively inexpensive yet effective for treating superficial skin issues, safe for all skin types and colors, not changing skin color, not causing scarring and needing minimal recovery time. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has its own pages on microdermabrasion and on dermabrasion.

Terms that separate the two

  • Dermabrasion: Cleveland Clinic says it was first developed to lessen acne scars and pox marks, and that today it is also used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, remove tattoos and reverse sun damage.
  • Dermabrasion procedure: Cleveland Clinic says that once the numbing medication has taken effect, your healthcare provider will use a high-speed rotary instrument with an abrasive diamond wheel or wire brush to scrape away the outer layers of skin and reveal the fresh layers underneath.
  • Who performs it: Cleveland Clinic says only a trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon should perform a dermabrasion.

Four guides to open next

Open the dermabrasion guide first if you are weighing the heavier procedure, and the others if you are weighing the lighter one. Each page is listed below in order:

Articles in this guide