Difference Between Microneedling And Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is one of the top 5 non-surgical procedures performed by medical providers. Using a mechanical device, the provider exfoliates the skin surface with an ablative material, like sodium bicarbonate crystals, to scrub off dead and dull surface skin cells. The device simultaneously uses suction to stimulate circulation in the skin. The result is smoother, brighter looking skin. There is little discomfort, treatments take about an hour, and there is no down-time afterwards. It is suitable for most skin types, but not all.

Microneedling, however, is different than a superficial Microdermabrasion treatment and provides much more benefit, because it reaches below the skin surface. The procedure creates many microscopic punctures in the skin’s outer layers. This is sometimes called “collagen induction therapy,” because the process stimulates the body’s production of collagen and elastin during the wound healing response. It is used to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and even stretch marks on the body. There are at-home devices called “dermal rollers,” which have small surgical steel needles which are rolled over the skin. This is very superficial in nature, so it is not very effective; and it can be difficult to keep the device sanitary, so it is also potentially problematic.

The SkinPen Microneedling device used at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center has revolutionized microneedling, offering improved results compared to dermarollers and microdermabrasion. SkinPen is more sanitary because it uses disposable needle cartridges. Numbing cream is used to ensure comfort during the treatment session, and there is little down-time. Nothing should be put on the face (including products and makeup) for 48 hours post-treatment, until the micro-channels in the skin close. You may experience light peeling (like dry skin) a few days after your session, but nothing that should take you out of your normal routine.

In this guide, we review the Difference Between Microneedling And Microdermabrasion, microdermabrasion vs microneedling cost, microdermabrasion vs microneedling for hyperpigmentation, and microdermabrasion or microneedling for scars.

Difference Between Microneedling And Microdermabrasion

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about microneedling and microdermabrasion lately, so I thought it would be helpful to answer the most frequently asked questions (and give you some ideas for trying these treatments at home).

First of all, microneedling and microdermabrasion are totally different treatments.

First of all, microneedling and microdermabrasion are totally different treatments. Microneedling is a form of physical exfoliation that uses tiny needles to puncture the skin, creating tiny channels in which your body can naturally remove dead skin cells. Microdermabrasion uses small exfoliating crystals to remove outer layers of dead skin cells and smooth out wrinkles. While both methods can be used on any part of your body (including face), they are more invasive than other methods like chemical peels or IPLs because they actually poke holes into the epidermis (the outermost layer).

Microneedling is a form of physical exfoliation (i.e., you manually dissolve the dead skin with a device) that creates tiny punctures in the topmost layer of skin to stimulate the production of collagen, which promotes healing.

You can think of microneedling as a form of physical exfoliation. It creates tiny punctures in your skin to stimulate the production of collagen, which promotes healing. Microneedling is also known as micro needling or skin needling, and it’s different from microdermabrasion because you manually dissolve dead cells with a device instead of using abrasive crystals like those found in microdermabrasion treatments.

While both procedures use needles to penetrate into deeper layers of tissue, they differ in how many needles are used and how deep they penetrate:

• Microneedling uses one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) long needles that penetrate about 0.25 mm below the surface; this allows them to reach damaged tissue without causing bleeding or scarring.* Microdermabrasion uses diamond beads ranging from 0.5 mm – 1 mm wide that remove only surface debris while leaving healthy cells intact

Microdermabrasion, on the other hand, is a skin treatment that uses small exfoliating crystals to remove outer layers of dead skin cells. This process rejuvenates the face while also evening out pigmentation and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.

Microdermabrasion, on the other hand, is a skin treatment that uses small exfoliating crystals to remove outer layers of dead skin cells. This process rejuvenates the face while also evening out pigmentation and reducing the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.

Microdermabrasion can be done in-office or at home; however, if you’re interested in performing it yourself (or having a professional do so), make sure you’re using the proper tools–such as a diamond tip wand or microdermabrasion machine–and follow all safety precautions before starting.

The most common uses for microdermabrasion include: acne treatment; scar reduction; hyperpigmentation correction; fine line smoothing; enlarged pore reduction; wrinkle reduction

Microneedling is more invasive than microdermabrasion.

In terms of invasiveness, microneedling is more invasive than microdermabrasion. While both procedures use a device to create tiny punctures in the topmost layer of skin, microdermabrasion uses a machine that vacuums away dead skin cells to reveal fresh new ones beneath. Microneedling uses a device with small needles to create these same tiny holes–but instead of removing them after they’ve done their job as with microdermabrasion, microneedling leaves them there for longer periods of time (a few days) so that they can heal over time and form new collagen fibers underneath your skin.

The side effects for microdermabrasion are much less severe than those for microneedling.

Microdermabrasion is a gentler treatment, so the side effects are much less severe. The procedure is not as painful and recovery time is faster.

The skin does not become inflamed after microdermabrasion, but it may take longer for your skin to heal because of all the exfoliation that has taken place.

In-office microneedling treatments can range from $200 to $700, according to Dr. Jaliman. But you can also try at-home dermarollers for one-tenth of that price with results that could last up to six months (depending on your skin type and frequency of use).

You can also try at-home dermarollers for one-tenth of that price with results that could last up to six months (depending on your skin type and frequency of use).

In-office microneedling treatments can range from $200 to $700, according to Dr. Jaliman. But you can also try at-home dermarollers for one-tenth of that price with results that could last up to six months (depending on your skin type and frequency of use).

Dermarolling involves rolling a needle tool over the surface of your face in order to stimulate collagen production and promote cell turnover–which helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars and other imperfections in the skin’s texture or tone.

microdermabrasion vs microneedling cost

Similar in name, microdermabrasion and microneedling are cosmetic procedures that treat similar skin concerns using different technologies. Let’s see how they work, what to expect from the treatments, and how to choose between them.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that uses mechanical abrasion to resurface the skin’s top layer. It was introduced in 1985 as a less aggressive procedure than dermabrasion and chemical peels.

Microdermabrasion involves using a wand-like device to “sandpaper” the skin’s top layer. The device exfoliates the skin by spraying tiny crystals (usually aluminum oxide) on the skin’s surface or by scraping off dead cells using a rough-textured diamond tip.

The exfoliation results in brighter, more even-toned skin. The mildly abrasive process also stimulates the body to produce more collagen, gradually improving the skin’s texture and helping to reduce acne scars, wrinkles, large pores, and hyperpigmentation.

Microdermabrasion is an excellent standalone procedure, but it can also be combined with laser, chemical peels, microcurrent, and other cosmetic treatments.

The procedure is painless and doesn’t require numbing cream. The medical provider first cleans the patient’s skin. They then move the microdermabrasion handpiece across the patient’s skin in all directions to rub off dead cells and impurities. The device’s built-in vacuum removes the crystals, dead cells, and impurities. Alternatively, a washcloth is used.

Many providers apply serums after the procedure because exfoliation improves the penetration potential of active ingredients. The serums applied after microdermabrasion usually contain vitamins C, E, and A.

One microdermabrasion session lasts 15-60 minutes, depending on the treatment area size, and patients usually require at least six treatments spaced several weeks apart to achieve desired results.

Microdermabrasion is among the gentlest cosmetic procedures and requires little to no downtime. Common side effects include a feeling of tightness, redness, and swelling, which disappear after a few days. Avoid scratching the treatment area, tanning and hot baths for at least one week, and strenuous physical activity for 24 hours.

Microdermabrasion costs vary depending on the patient’s skin concern, desired effects, and the medical provider’s experience. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a microdermabrasion session in 2020 was $167.

What Is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that appeared after microdermabrasion. It also treats various skin concerns by stimulating collagen production. However, instead of using crystals or a diamond-encrusted tip for mechanical abrasion, microneedling involves making tiny punctures on the skin’s surface.

Microneedling uses a handheld device with hundreds of tiny needles to make controlled wounds on the skin’s surface, triggering the body’s healing mechanism and increasing collagen production. The result is a gradual improvement in skin tone and texture and an alleviation of conditions such as wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, large pores, stretch marks, and hair loss.

To deliver more effective results, skin experts often combine microneedling with treatments such as radiofrequency and LED light therapy.

Microneedling is more painful than microdermabrasion, and medical providers typically apply a numbing cream on the treatment area after cleansing the patient’s skin. They move the microneedling device over the patient’s skin in all directions for approximately 20 minutes, causing controlled injury. Finally, they apply a serum with anti-aging ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and growth factors to take advantage of the skin’s increased absorbency.

Microneedling usually causes redness, swelling, and bruising in the treatment area, side effects that disappear after up to two weeks. The procedure doesn’t involve serious complications and is considered safe for healthy adults. Avoid tanning, strenuous physical activity, and applying pressure to the treated area to minimize side effects.

At Vibrant Skin Bar, one microneedling session costs $300. The total cost depends on the number of required treatments.

Pros and Cons of Microdermabrasion

The effectiveness of a microdermabrasion treatment varies depending on the severity of the patient’s skin concern. Review the treatment’s pros and cons to evaluate its potential in resolving your cosmetic issue.

microdermabrasion vs microneedling for hyperpigmentation

If you are a skincare devotee or a beauty guru, chances are you’ve heard of microneedling and microdermabrasion. Microneedling and microdermabrasion are low-risk, high-reward skincare solutions that rejuvenate your skin to make you look and feel like your best self.

What is the difference between microneedling and microdermabrasion, and how do they fit into your routine? Let’s take a closer look.

Dulce Lash and Skin pride ourselves on pampering your skin. Our skin-care experts attend ongoing training to ensure they are constantly updated with each new beauty trend and the latest techniques. We offer cutting-edge techniques in microdermabrasion, chemical peels, oxygen facials, microneedling, and more to ensure your skin looks young, vibrant, and gorgeous.

What’s The Difference?

For context, microneedling uses micro-fine needles as a treatment to rejuvenate the skin. Microneedling is commonly used to target scarring, dark marks, and large pores. It penetrates your skin with collagen, which your skin needs to stay firm and help regenerate scar tissue.

On the contrary, microdermabrasion is a treatment that exfoliates your skin with a hand-held vacuum and crystals. The use of microdermabrasion is to relieve dullness and to unclog your pores to smooth away any signs of early aging or wrinkles.

How Does It Work?

There are two different types of microdermabrasion you can choose from: crystal microdermabrasion and diamond microdermabrasion. While they both have similar results, the process for each is a little different. Crystal microdermabrasion applies crystals to the skin and will vacuum away those crystals to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells from your top layer of skin. Diamond microdermabrasion does not use crystals, and instead uses a diamond-tipped wand to gently abrade the skin. The process stimulates collagen production, giving your skinh a plumped and refreshed look.

With microneedling, there are two ways that professionals can do it. There is a small hand-held roller tool that has microneedles on it and an electronic dermastamp. By creating microscopic punctures in the skin, microneedling uses short needles to rejuvenate the skin from the surface level.

The small marks left by the needles encourage increased collagen production. The skin reacts to the minor “injury” and it responds by generating new tissue. New skin tissue tends to be more even and toned than aged or injured skin (via sunspots, acne, etc.).

What Concerns Does It Target?

Microdermabrasion is typically used to target fine lines, clogged pores, dull and tired skin, as well as blackheads. Whereas microneedling targets fine lines, large pores, acne scarring, and stretch marks.

What Are The Side Effects?

For microdermabrasion, there are no acids or chemicals that are used during treatment. No acids or chemicals mean that there should be minimal side effects to the experience. The same thing can be said for microneedling. Minor redness that lasts for a few hours is the most common side effect.

Is It Invasive?

With Microdermabrasion, there is no penetration of the skin. Therefore it is not an invasive treatment.

However, for microneedling, there are some circumstances where a patient can experience some minor bleeding. This is typically in the case of someone who has severe acne scarring or stretch marks, which makes skin more prone to breakage.

Everything You Need To Know About Microdermabrasion

This form of skin treatment is an offshoot of dermabrasion and skin resurfacing, which is done to the body and the face to remove any dead or damaged cells on the top layer of your skin.

Deeper Dive On How It Works

The method of microdermabrasion is much like gently scraping your skin. In the case of diamond microdermabrasion, it’s a small machine that vacuums with a rough tip that helps to remove your top layer of skin.

The best part of microdermabrasion is that you may see results right away, and your skin may feel much smoother very soon after. What’s even better is that your skin may look like it has a more even tone and brighter after treatment. As a rule of thumb, most people will need more than one microdermabrasion treatment. Coming back for more than one treatment ensures that your skin is looking rejuvenated and benefitting from improved elasticity and collagen production.

What You Need to Know About Microneedling

This is a newer form of skin treatment designed to trigger the healing process response of the skin and achieved by using a handheld device that will penetrate the skin and use tiny needles to create microscopic wounds. These wounds should trigger a reaction in your skin that stimulates elastin and collagen production. By activating the collagen, your skin will achieve a smoother, firmer, and more refined appearance. This procedure is only minimally invasive, and a cream that will mildly numb your skin is used to minimize any discomfort the client may feel during the process.

Here is what microneedling targets for your skin:

Deeper Dive On How It Works

The process of microneedling is intended to trigger the skin to repair itself. This will help the skin with its collagen production as improved elasticity in the tissue. Collagen also helps to plump any fine lines and thicken skin. What happens during this process is that very small micro-needles create tiny holes (.5 to 3 mm deep) in the skin.

The standard tool that is used for microneedling is the dermaroller. This device has a small wheel with rows of needles all around it that can make up to 250 holes in the skin per square centimeter. However, you may see people use a microneedling machine. This machine has a tip on it that is very similar to a tattoo machine and can be used for the same purpose.

Pamper Your Skin At Dulce Lash

That youthful-looking skin you’ve been wanting for so long is just a simple appointment away with chemical peels available from Dulce Lash and Skin.

From basic skin care and elegant, beautiful lashes to MedSpa procedures and gentle body waxing, Dulce Lash and Skin keeps your skin glowing from head to toe. With three convenient locations in Seattle, Bellevue, and Mercer Island and a full bevvy of skincare services, our highly skilled master aestheticians will guide you through a personalized plan to address all your skincare needs. Drop us a line for more information or to call and book your appointment today!

microdermabrasion or microneedling for scars

Microdermabrasion is one of the top 5 non-surgical procedures performed by medical providers. Using a mechanical device, the provider exfoliates the skin surface with an ablative material, like sodium bicarbonate crystals, to scrub off dead and dull surface skin cells. The device simultaneously uses suction to stimulate circulation in the skin. The result is smoother, brighter looking skin. There is little discomfort, treatments take about an hour, and there is no down-time afterwards. It is suitable for most skin types, but not all.

Microneedling, however, is different than a superficial Microdermabrasion treatment and provides much more benefit, because it reaches below the skin surface. The procedure creates many microscopic punctures in the skin’s outer layers. This is sometimes called “collagen induction therapy,” because the process stimulates the body’s production of collagen and elastin during the wound healing response. It is used to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars and even stretch marks on the body. There are at-home devices called “dermal rollers,” which have small surgical steel needles which are rolled over the skin. This is very superficial in nature, so it is not very effective; and it can be difficult to keep the device sanitary, so it is also potentially problematic.

The SkinPen Microneedling device used at Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center has revolutionized microneedling, offering improved results compared to dermarollers and microdermabrasion. SkinPen is more sanitary because it uses disposable needle cartridges. Numbing cream is used to ensure comfort during the treatment session, and there is little down-time. Nothing should be put on the face (including products and makeup) for 48 hours post-treatment, until the micro-channels in the skin close. You may experience light peeling (like dry skin) a few days after your session, but nothing that should take you out of your normal routine.

SkinPen Microneedling is safe and effective for all skin types. If you desire a smoother, healthier, brighter complexion, you should consider Microneedling as one of your best treatment options!