Both dermaplaning and microdermabrasion are great ways to get your skin looking younger, brighter and clearer, but these treatments are actually quite different, despite providing similar results. The key difference is that microdermabrasion is a more superficial and abrasive technique while dermaplaning goes deeper and is gentler.

Microdermabrasion isn’t suitable for everyone while dermaplaning often is — but don’t take our word for it, read on and let the facts speak for themselves.

Microdermabrasion vs. Dermaplaning: What Are They Exactly?

Both microdermabrasion and dermaplaning are best performed by a trained esthetician. However, home microdermabrasion kits are available, and some people believe that shaving your entire face at home is a quick and cheap version to get dermaplaning at home. The truth is that there’s more to both these procedures than that.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

There are two types of microdermabrasion. One is done with a diamond-tipped tool, and the other is called crystal microdermabrasion.

• Diamond-tipped tool: This tool is used to exfoliate the dead cells on the surface of the skin and suction them away at the same time. The esthetician controls the tool, thus the pressure as well, which dictates how deeply the skin is suctioned. A gentler procedure than crystal microdermabrasion, the diamond-tipped tool is great for sensitive areas, like the skin around the eyes.
• Crystal microdermabrasion: Using this tool for microdermabrasion means spraying tiny crystals of aluminum oxide or sodium to scrape off the dead cells on the outer layer of the skin, which are then suctioned off straight away.

Unlike dermaplaning, microdermabrasion tends to be harsher and more abrasive on the skin since it’s very much like using sandpaper on your face to exfoliate. Microdermabrasion is also rarely ever completed in a single session, requiring multiple sessions over about a week to get the best results. After that, clients should be returning for another handful of sessions every couple of months to maintain the results.

What Is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is like exfoliation — but better. It’s a very gentle procedure in which a sterilized, clinical-grade blade, called a dermaplane, is used to remove the top layer of skin as well as the “peach fuzz” — known as vellus hairs — that can interfere with makeup application.

Some people liken dermaplaning to shaving, but it’s much more than that. The dermaplane is extremely sharp and should only be handled by a trained esthetician or professional. The skin is held taut before the blade gently slides over it, removing dead cells, hair and other dirt that may be blocking your pores.

The daily toxins, sun exposure, and other environmental factors can sully your skin, making it look aged and dull. By removing the top layer of the skin, dermaplaning allows your natural, unaffected skin to shine through, which, in turn, provides numerous benefits of its own. Unlike microdermabrasion, dermaplaning simply requires one session, which lasts 30 to 40 minutes, and the results last up to three weeks.

How Are They Similar?

Both procedures are designed to get rid of the dead skin cells that can make skin look dry and rough and they both bring about similar final results. Both also require little to no downtime after the procedure and don’t require heavy prepping before it. They take around the same amount of time — 40 minutes to an hour — and the results last for at least three to four weeks.

They’re also similar for being relatively painless and not very invasive. Both can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as acne and acne scarring, leaving skin looking fresh and renewed. Neither is recommended for broken skin, so active acne outbreaks need to heal before either of these procedures can be done.

Both microdermabrasion and dermaplaning are also procedures that require little to no preparation ahead of time and neither requires much time afterward to recover. This means that you could have either of these procedures during your lunch break and still return to work that afternoon — which is exactly what many people do.

What Are the Differences?

There are more differences than similarities in these two beauty methods, and those differences are what help clients realize why dermaplaning is often the better option.

The main difference is the level of aggression of the two procedures. As its name suggests, microdermabrasion is abrasive. It also relies on suction to vacuum the dead cells off your face, making it an unviable option for those with very sensitive skin or those who have skin conditions, such as rosacea, which could be made worse by the suction. Dermaplaning, on the other hand, is safe for almost all skin types and skin colors.

While microdermabrasion can improve the look of enlarged pores and remove blackheads, it doesn’t exfoliate as deeply as dermaplaning does. The most obvious sign of this is the fact that dermaplaning penetrates deep enough to remove vellus hairs along with the dead skin cells while microdermabrasion only scrubs the top layer of the skin, known as the epidermis.

Unlike microdermabrasion, which aggressively scrubs off the epidermis, dermaplaning requires a smooth gliding of the blade over the skin. Dermaplaning is less traumatic for the skin than microdermabrasion, making it a better option for many.

Another difference is the fact that microdermabrasion can often be done at home while dermaplaning needs to be done in a clinic with a trained professional. Some might think that’s a point against dermabrasion, but it actually means that it is far less likely to have a dermaplaning session go wrong than a microdermabrasion session — especially one that’s done at home.

What Does Microdermabrasion Treat?

Microdermabrasion is mostly used to treat signs and symptoms of aging as well as scars and skin pigmentation. Things like discolored skin — such as from sunburn or a bout of acne, for instance — are prime targets for microdermabrasion procedures.

Common skin problems that are that target of microdermabrasion include:

• Acne scars
• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun damage
• Wrinkles
• Melasma, or dark patches on the skin

However, you may not be a good candidate for microdermabrasion if you also have the following issues:

• Active acne breakouts
• Fragile capillaries
• Lupus
• Open sores
• Psoriasis
• Rosacea
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Vascular lesions or birthmarks
• Warts

Because microdermabrasion is a more aggressive and abrasive procedure than dermaplaning, it’s best suited for skin with minimal issues. Being susceptible to cold sores is also a cause of concern. Patients who are at risk of developing cold sores will need to be on medication prescribed by a doctor before they can receive microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion may also disturb active cold sores, spreading the virus to other parts of the face — which will be more exposed after having been “sanded” down.

In addition to those, microdermabrasion is also not suited for people who have sagging skin, deep wrinkles or major scars. For the best results, people often require multiple treatments over a week. To maintain the results, patients usually need followup treatments every few months.

What Does Dermaplaning Treat?

Dermaplaning is designed to treat similar issues as microdermabrasion but more gently and thoroughly. It’s ideal for those with rough, dry skin that needs a little brightening and treats several issues.

Acne Breakouts and Scarring

Dermaplaning is an excellent and gentle way to reduce acne breakouts. By scraping the dead skin cells from the surface, dermaplaning helps unclog dirt and oil from the pores, which often cause acne breakouts. By scraping away the top layer of the skin, dermaplaning also gets rid of acne scars while allowing the skin to better absorb any facial products, making them work better than they may have been before.

Since dermaplaning is much gentler on the skin, it’s safe for all ages and almost all skin types. Similarly, the gentle nature of dermaplaning makes it a much safer option for people with rosacea or similar skin issues. Unlike microdermabrasion, which uses a vacuum-like pressure to clear the epidermis away, dermaplaning gently slides over the skin.

Dermaplaning isn’t suitable if you have an active acne breakout or cold sores that are not being treated with prescription medication. Going ahead with the procedure during an acne breakout will end up doing more harm than good. A blade sliding over an active pimple will only make it worse — not better.

Vellus Hairs and Skin Texture

Dermaplaning is most popularly used as a way to get rid of the vellus hairs and improve skin texture. After treatment, makeup glides on more easily and looks smoother. Dermaplaning for wrinkles is another just one of the ways this procedure helps with skin texture and anti-aging. It also encourages cellular proliferation, increasing the number of cells the body produces, which helps the skin look younger and more radiant while improving the overall texture of the skin.

Those who have hirsutism — excessive hair on parts of the body where there usually isn’t thick, coarse hair — will likely not benefit much from dermaplaning since the procedure isn’t effective on permanent hair. The same applies to anyone with coarse facial hair, like beards or stubborn chin hairs. Fine, thin hair — such as vellus hair — can be easily removed via dermaplaning.

Other Issues

While dermaplaning is most often used to reduce acne breakouts and vellus hair, it also treats many other issues. Other problems dermaplaning can treat include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Hyperpigmentation, including rosacea
• Aging
• Cell turnover
• Skin texture

As with microdermabrasion, dermaplaning is not ideal for broken skin of any sort, including active cold sores. The esthetician will likely just avoid the mouth area if the sore is present, but it’s better to reschedule the procedure during an outbreak.

Additionally, neither dermaplaning nor microdermabrasion should be the first or only step in controlling either acne or rosacea. While dermaplaning will help with both these skin problems, it’s meant to be used with treatments that are specifically for rosacea or acne. Nevertheless, the success dermaplaning has in reducing the number and frequency of acne breakouts as well as rosacea are undeniable.

Unlike microdermabrasion, dermaplaning can help your skin prepare for future rejuvenation treatments, including laser treatments. It also requires just one session, and the results can last for up to 21 days.

Microdermabrasion vs. Dermaplaning: What Is Recovery Like?

Recovery is very similar for both microdermabrasion and dermaplaning with slight differences in results and recovery time.

Some of the most common questions people have are about side effects for each of these procedures. Luckily, because microdermabrasion and dermaplaning are both non-invasive procedures, they are much safer than other options and result in little to no side effects.

Side Effects and Recovery for Microdermabrasion

Common side effects of microdermabrasion include:

• Skin irritation
• Redness
• Potential for infection
• Minor bruising
• Skin feeling tight
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• Broken blood vessels
• Spots of bleeding
• Minor skin abrasions

The skin will feel tighter immediately following a microdermabrasion treatment, but that should only last 24 hours. Results will be noticeable within a few days. To encourage a speedier recovery after microdermabrasion, you should keep out of direct sunlight for at least seven days.

When washing your face after the procedure, use a gentle facial cleanser and a reliable moisturizer.

Avoid treatments like retinol and benzoyl peroxide for one or two days after the procedure and prescription retinol products for up to seven days after all sessions of the procedure have been completed.

Side Effects and Recovery for Dermaplaning

Aside from a little redness, there are not really any side effects of dermaplaning. The results are immediate, and skin will look radiant and clear right away. Because the superficial layer of skin has been scraped off and the new skin underneath is much more sensitive, additional care will be needed.

Direct exposure to sunlight will be very harmful and could actually reverse the effects of the procedure, so it’s necessary to wear sunscreen before stepping outside for at least a couple of weeks following the dermaplaning. Because the skin has gone through a clinical procedure, it may be slightly red for a couple of days after.

The time after a dermaplaning treatment is the best for applying any creams or serums since the skin can absorb them better than before. And the dermaplaning recovery time is minimal with zero downtime, ensuring you’re ready to return to your everyday activities straight away.

Turn Back Time With Dermaplaning

At Southern Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Institute (SPRSI), Dr. Brought and his team pride themselves on the comprehensive holistic care they provide to all customers. With a range of spa procedures available — including dermaplaning — SPRSI is dedicated to helping you achieve the look you desire.

If you’re ready to take advantage of all dermaplaning has to offer, get in touch with SPRSI by calling 615-791-9090.