After 16 hours of research evaluating 68 products, we picked PMD Personal Microderm Classic as our top choice.
If you are into skincare or see an esthetician regularly, you’ve likely already heard the term microdermabrasion. But how do you get salon-quality microdermabrasion at home?
What is microdermabrasion?
According to OGLF.org, microdermabrasion uses tiny crystals to exfoliate the skin and then draws out debris and impurities with suction.
The procedure uses no chemicals and will remove the dead outer layer of skin to rejuvenate and brighten your complexion.
Microdermabrasion is great for clearing up acne, evening out dark spots, and eliminating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Sounds great, right? Well, be aware that one microdermabrasion treatment will likely cost you anywhere between $80 and $200 dollars, and typically it will take about 6 to 10 treatments before you begin to see results.
The solution? Microdermabrasion at home!
What’s the bottom line?
Now, for a more reasonable price, you can enjoy the benefits of a microdermabrasion machine without having to visit your dermatologist or esthetician.
#1 Best Microdermabrasion Machine Overall
PMD Personal Microderm Classic
- Includes several levels of exfoliating disks
- Easy-to-use weekly treatments
- Treat wrinkles, blemishes, and enlarged pores
Pros
Combines patented spinning disk technology with perfectly calibrated vacuum suction to reveal smoother, brighter, more youthful-looking skin and significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes. Oh…and did we mention it comes in a variety of adorable colors? Bonus!
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#2 Best Budget Microdermabrasion Machine
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion Starter Kit
- Works just as well as its costly competitors
- 91% of users has smoother skin instantly while 88% of users had visible improvements in the look of fine lines after just one week
- Totally indispensable skincare system
Pros
Perfect if you’re curious about Microderm but not totally ready to commit to an expensive machine. The Neutrogena kit is an affordable way to try Microderm treatments for a month, and expect to experience some great results in a very short period of time.
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#3 Best Microdermabrasion Machine for Travel
Vacuum Microdermabrasion Portable Machine
- Smoothes and softens skin
- Helps lessen/remove superficial scars
- Great for tightening pores and eliminating black heads and white heads
Pros
In addition to tightening pores, eliminating acne, and lessening the appearance of scars and wrinkles, this professional-grade (used by dermatologists, might we add) machine does an excellent job of reducing oiliness as well. Expect great results and easy to use. Plus, the included carrying case makes this machine the easiest Microderm system to take on the go. And what’s not to love about that?
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#4 Best for Tools and Attachments
Kendal Professional Diamond Microdermabrasion Machine HB-SF01
- Professional microdermabrasion machine that produces noticeable results
- Suitable for all skin types
- Lessens the appearance of acne, age spots, uneven skin tone, superficial scars, fine lines, and wrinkles
Pros
The Kendal is a professional grade machine that comes with 9 well-made exfoliating crystals. Easy to clean and 360 filters included in the kit. An advanced machine if you’re a skin care pro, but can be a little intimidating if you’re new to Microderm.
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#5 Best Professional-Grade Microdermabrasion Machine
Trophy Skin MicrodermMD at Home Microdermabrasion Beauty System
- Super easy to use and features eight suction level
- Dermatologist recommended for professional grade exfoliation
- Comes with 100 replacement filters
Pros
This best-selling home Microderm machine is clinically proven to reduce the visible signs of aging by polishing away dead cells to reveal a healthy, more youthful complexion. This product is dermatologist recommend, and will produce results similar to what you would expect from professional Microderm treatments.
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#6 Best Lightweight Microdermabrasion Machine
Microderm GLO MINI Diamond Microdermabrasion and Suction Tool
- Spa-grade results at home
- Dermatologist recommended
- Complete treatment in 4 minutes
Pros
GLO MINI is the powerful and easy way to reverse years of aging and skin damage in the comfort of your own home. Skin will be noticeably smoother and softer after just one treatment.
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#7 Best Machine to Improve Skin Tone
Silk’n Revit Microdermabrasion Machine
- Beautiful, younger looking skin in as little as one week
- Includes a variety of Diamond attachments, including: Fine, Precision, and Coarse
- Easy to use, painless, and minimal redness post-treatment
Pros
Silk’n ReVit’s unique combination of suction and exfoliation will stimulate the skin, improve circulation, reduce scarring and age spots, and improve skin texture and elasticity for a smooth, radiant, and more youthful-looking appearance.
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Microdermabrasion at Home Machines Tips & Advice
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.
