Question: I have been interested in getting microdermabrasion treatments and have been doing some research. Is there a difference between this and dermabrasion?
Answer: Both microdermabrasion and dermabrasion are the mechanical exfoliation of the skin. Microdermabrasion simply means that we only exfoliate the very superficial layer of the skin which is essentially the dead layer of skin cells called the stratum corneum. Dermabrasion on the other hand can be performed quite deep to the point where the entire epidermis had been mechanically removed and even portions of the dermal layer of the skin have been removed. This much more aggressive treatment can be rather bloody but can provide dramatic improvements in scars or deep wrinkles. I personally prefer the use of lasers due to the fact that they have more precision and less chance of user error. Microdermabrasion on the other hand is very nice for polishing the skin, has no downtime, and leaves patients with a wonderfully refreshed look.
