In fact, my 20s were a golden era of late nights where I didn’t take off my make-up before I went to bed, I never wore sunscreen, I only exfoliated when I got those sample packs in a magazine, and I basically let my skin do as it wanted.
Now that I’m in my 30s, I’d like to go back and kick my 20-year-old self in the bum. Let me tell you, I am paying for those mistakes and in a big way. You might not notice it right away, but those terrible habits (or lack of good habits) really did quite the number on my skin.
Nowadays, I won’t even think about going to sleep without taking my make-up off. I won’t go more than a week without exfoliation, and I definitely make sure that I moisturize regularly.
Exfoliation is the key, because when we don’t actively try to get rid of those dead, dry skin cells on the top layer of skin, we start to get acne, wrinkles, sunspots, and just general patches of dry skin.
Thank goodness, other people seem to have been as careless and carefree in their 20s and the industry has caught on and given us a solution to our problems: Microdermabrasion.
This technique is a literal magic wand that helps to slough off years and years of mistreatment to your skin. As you have repeat sessions, you will actually have healthier looking skin that is constantly working to stay beautiful.
However, going to the dermatologist isn’t always the easiest thing to fit into your schedule or your budget, as one microdermabrasion session in a spa salon costs around $200-300, and in average you need 10 sessions to get awesome results so that makes $2000 -3000 !!!!! That is insane.
What if you could do it at home whenener you want for a much cheaper price and even earn some money?
Yeah simply get an at home microdermabrasion machine, then you can do as many sessions as you want without paying anything and you can even earn some money by “renting” the device to some neighbours, friends to use it. Your machine will pay itself after only one session…and you get awesome smooth and younger skin 🙂 sweet, isn’t it?
Now, getting into microdermabrasion at home still isn’t the easiest thing in the world, because you need to find the machine that will work for your skin and that will stand the test of time as you don’t want to spend your hard earned money on any scam machine. and believe me there are tons of crap machines…
But what are the best ones among 100 brands and models?
Luckily for you, we are microdermabrasion addicts, so we did a lot ( I mean really a LOT) of research to find the most effective home microdermabrasion kits and systems as we certainly were not going to shell out $3000… Our bank certainly would not agree. So here are the results of our research as we got many requests from our faithful readers to put it on our blog.
It won’t be the TOP 10 microdermabrasion machines, but more the TOP 3 and 2 machines to avoid, because basically, who would pick the number 5 or even 9 ? Among the ones we reviewed, some of these are really worth it, some are to be avoided absolutely.
Want to know? Be sure to read the small guide below to better understand our reviews… ( yep, this will be your little homework)
- Model
- Suction Power
- Diamond tip quality
- Tools Included
- Results
- Ease to use
- Device Robustness
- Warranty
- Support
- Refills to buy
- Average Price
- Verdict
- Max 28 in/Hg
2 Wands
9 Diamond Tips
240 Filters 12 mm
No need of large filters
2 Cylinder oil filters- 1 Year
- 60 Filters : $5
- $ 230
- The most powerful unit and cost effective
- Max 22 in/Hg
1 Wand
1 Diamond Tip
100 Filters
1 Blackhead extraction tip
1 Infusion tip- 3 Years
- 100 Filters : $ 15
1 additional Tip : $ 35 - $ 300
- The most user-friendly and Best Warranty
- Max 16 in/Hg
2 Wands
9 Diamond Tips
50 Filters 10 mm
50 filters 16 mm- 1 Year
- 50 Filters :$3
- $ 189
- The most cost effective for newbies
- Max 14-16 in/Hg
1 Wand
3 Diamond Tips
30 Filters- 3 Years
- 30 Filters : $14.95
1Tip + 10 filters : $19.95 - $ 249
- To avoid because of suction issue
- Max 14-16 in/Hg
- Crystals instead of diamond Tip
1 Wands
4 Crystal Capsules
1 return container- 1 Year
- 4 crystal Pods : $50
- $ 200
- To avoid because of crystals being messy
How Does A Home Microdermabrasion Machine Work?
You know those creams and face washes you use that have the little tiny “scrubbies” in them?
Those are to exfoliate your skin – but they don’t really work as well as they should.
A home microdermabrasion machine takes your exfoliation to the next level, scrubbing away your dead skin cells and sucking up the dead skin particles.
By working on these two tasks, they effectively remove the upper layer on your skin, which is old and dry – and making you look that way as well! After that top layer is gone, you will reveal your new younger and fresher skin and gradually get rid of fines lines, clogged pores, scars etc….
Check this video of an awesome esthetician explaining briefly how it works.
How a Home Microdermabrasion Machine can reveal your new skin and help your skin care routine?
Microdermabrasion, also known as microderm, is one of the easiest and most effective anti-aging treatments you can get that may beat the best antiaging creams…because:
- These machines help to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth out rough skin, help any facial scars to fade, decrease the size of your pores, and help to reduce hyper-pigmentation, also called age spots. It is the magic secrets of many stars who seem to have flawless skin…. They go to expensive beauty salons, and spas, almost every 2 weeks… which is not really affordable for us… but now, girls and boys, we too can get those awesome anti aging treatment with the home version machines.
- The other very important thing you must keep in mind is that microdermabrasion at home treatment can also transform your skin because the exfoliation by opening up your pores, and removing your old dead cells which block the way to your deeper skin layers, makes it easier for powerful skin creams to penetrate deeper into your skin, and being much more effective…
In a nutshell, microdermabrasion removes the dead, dull skin cell barrier. Once this barrier is removed, skin care products fully penetrate the skin’s surface. This maximizes the benefits of the skincare products and helps to restore and perfect the skin, leaving it gentle, rich, brilliant and bright.
Microdermabrasion removes the filmy, dead skin you have on top to help your skincare items work better.
You aren’t helping your skin if you can’t get any of those expensive lotions and creams down in your pores! If you aren’t seeing results from your current routine, think about adding this machine to your beauty weapons !
If wrinkles and old-looking skin aren’t your problem, chances are that breaking out is. Well, breakouts are also caused by that old skin lurking on the top of your pores.
Microdermabrasion at home is a skincare technique to use in the comfort of your home, that isn’t limited to age, skin color, skin texture, or even what your problem area is.
Microdermabrasion helps with all of the following:
- The look and feel of fine lines and wrinkles
- Rough, dry, or coarse skin
- Acne, redness, inflammation or other “puberty problems”
- Acne scarring or marks
- Blackheads and whiteheads
- Large, open, or blocked pores
- Dull or clogged skin that is dingy
- Sun-damage marks like age-spots
- Liver spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Products that aren’t working the way they should
The 2 types of machines: Crystal VS Diamond machines
There are two different types of microdermabrasion devices: crystal machines and diamond machines
- The crystal version has a compression that draws in air through a port on a hand held wand. As the wand comes into contact with the skin, a vacuum is formed. Then, crystals, which are made of aluminium oxide or sodium chloride (salt) or sodium bicarbonate, are blasted across the surface of your skin, effectively sloughing off the dead skin cells. They are then sucked back into a different tube and into a disposal site.
- The hand held diamond tipped version use a similar vacuum, but you won’t use crystals. Instead, a diamond tip is used to slough off the dead skin on your face and the vacuum sucks them up. The wand doesn’t have a diamond you could use in a pair of earrings, but rather synthetic particles that are a little rough. There are many dufferent tips with various grades of roughness, depending on your skin type and condition.
Why Do More People Prefer To Use Diamond Microdermabrasion Over The Crystal Method ?
Now, if you look back about thirty years ago, people were crazy about the crystal version of the microdermabrasion wand. However, today we use the newer, diamond tipped machines for a few reasons:
- The crystals are messy and could potentially cause irritation
- Diamond tips give you a better level of exfoliation
- It is much more comfortable
- It is better for sensitive skin
- More choice in how much roughness you want
- Each treatment is shorter because of the better removal
- You can control or limit the microdermabrasion to one area of your skin
So now that you have read why many spas and professionals prefer the diamond, which one would you pick? Diamond or crystal?
So you’d probably go for the diamond, right? That is the first thing you must check:
the best microdermabrasion machines for home use are all diamond tipped machines.
Let’s see what else you do need to look for when trying to find the Best microdermabrasion system for you
If you want to know how to choose the right machine for you, you need to check 9 simple criteria or factors :
they are pretty simple and we guarantee you that they will help you decide which model or brand will suit you best, for your skin, your wallet and your personal preferences.
Ok, ready? let’s dive in.
The 9 Factors to check to choose the best Microdermabrasion Machines to avoid a scam?
When you look for the best at home microdermabrasion machine, there are 9 different things you will want to look at:
Suction Power
Without suction, you might as well not even try it.
That tiny diamond tip will break away much of your dead skin cells, but that means they are still on the top of your skin. In order to prevent any skin problem from clogging, you will have to get them removed right away.
You have to do this through suction that doesn’t stick them closer to your skin like washing would do. The more powerful the machine in terms of suction power, the better. Suction also plays another major role in that it essentially helps grip the wand onto your skin, increasing its ability to better exfoliate in the process.
Remember that the at-home version of these machines is probably going to be weaker than the professional versions. That shouldn’t be a problem if you choose well.
When looking at the box, you will want to find the sucking power measurements.
Typically, this is given in inches or millimetres (more common) per Hg. The Hg stands for Mercury. This measurement is key when determining just how much work this wand will do you for you. The more suction you get, the “cleaner” your skin will be. Look for the higher inches/Hg for that.
A professional machine that you would encounter at a spa would have about 28 inches / Hg and probably more. However, most of the at home machines will have half of that or less – around 10-16 inches/ Hg.
The average power reference for home machine is 16 in/Hg, which used to be the case for many home machines but now the reference has moved a little as more and more brands propose now a professional “home” machine with a power up to 28 in/Hg.
Using the 16 in/Hg is more than enough power for you to get a proper session if you don’t have any significant problems. But as more and more professional machines are available for home use with a max power of 25 in/Hg, I would say, it would be better to purchase one of those machines and stick to the 16 in /hg preset if you are newbie. You can then be able to move up from there and you won’t need to buy another powerful machine.
Besides, the price difference is usually very small. We are talking about 60 dollars more to get a more poweful machine.
So remember that the best microdermabrasion machines for home use should have a minimum of 16 in/Hg to 28 in/Hg.
You should also note that if you have severe medical conditions that affect your skin, like Rosacea, Eczema, cystic acne, or open wounds, you should consult with a doctor or a dermatologist before you start treatment of any kind, including microdermabrasion. This technique can make certain situations even worse, and it might not be appropriate for you. If you want similar results but can’t do it, consult with a dermatologist.
Model | Max Suction power | Review |
---|---|---|
Kendal HB-SF02 or SF01 | 28 in/Hg | read review |
Microderm MD | 22 in/Hg | read review |
New Spa home | 16 in/Hg | read review |
Nubrilliance | 14 -16 in/Hg | read review |
Crystalift | 14 -16 in/Hg | read review |
The quality of the diamond tips
Every woman knows that the quality of the diamond is where the power lies – whether it is on your finger or on your home microdermabrasion device.
Microdermabrasion at home machines are more than sucking units, it starts with removing dead skin cells, so if the exfoliation is not effective, you may have the most powerful device on earth, you will simply end up with hikies all over the face… that is why it is important to check the quality of the diamond tip, (the tip with encrusted diamond particles) that will exfoliate your skin.
We were pretty shocked by some low quality tips and impressed by others that were exactly the same as what spa owners use. Diamond tips also need to be replaced after a certain time of use ( though the best quality ones usually last for years) so that you can continue seeing good results.
How long you can use it depends on the manufacturer, how you take care of it and the initial quality of it. Make sure though when you clean them to be careful and avoid hitting the tips on a hard surface in order to maintain the quality of the tips. (I hope you are not as clumsy as me)
What tools are included
When you get a microdermabrasion unit, it will come in a kit. In that kit, you will get pretty much everything that you need to at least start out using the machine. Most come with replacement filters, an instruction manual, adaptors, and maybe extra diamond tips.
The filters are important because they are what catch all of your dead skin that flies off. The instructions will show you how to work the machine (obviously) but will also tell you important instructions for warranties, replacement ordering, and FAQs.
When looking for the best option, you should consider things like how many filters and replacement tips you get. Because if you need to buy those extra accessories , it will add up and quickly increase the total amount to pay.
The results you can expect
You are not buying this machine because you need something else to clutter up your bathroom. You want to get results, and the machine you invest in should be able to deliver them. Check reviews, comments to get a better idea of what kind of results people can get.
But you do need to realize you won’t see super noticeable results overnight, if you want to fade your scars for instance as it takes times for your skin to create new skin cells and get rid of older cells.
Instead, it will take a few weeks to see the spots fading, the stretch marks disappearing, and your face and body becoming younger with fewer wrinkles and fine lines. You need to be patient but also consistent with your sessions to get “awesome” results. But we can tell you, it is worth it !!
What you should notice as soon as you use the machine, however, is smoother and softer skin. It should happen right after you use the machine and if not, well, you should probably try to get a refund.
Easy to use and to handle
Even if you are in good shape, standing with your arms in the air can hurt after a while. You want to make sure that you have a machine that is easy to handle. Even more, you want to make sure that you understand how to use it – don’t get a machine that is so complicated that you have to watch online tutorial after online tutorial to figure it out.
The best microdermabrasion machines for home use will be easy to work, easy to clean, and easy to store because you obviously don’t want to waste your time….
Longevity or the device robustness
If you want to invest in a microdermabrasion device, make sure you invest in something that is meant to last. Sure, cheap is always better in the short term, but something that looks and feels like a child’s toy won’t be a wise investment later on.
Solid machines will be made of more than plastic and may have things like a dust cover or a storage center to really keep it safe.
Provides warranty or guarantee
A warranty is a great way to determine if you are getting away with a steal or if you need to reevaluate. Look for a manufacturer’s warranty that covers defects and customer satisfaction. You don’t want to spend your money and time picking out something that doesn’t work after a few weeks – or breaks after the first few uses.
This is where it is important to buy a name that is well known. Sure, one company might be cheaper and give you everything that you think you want – but if something goes wrong and you have to contact them only to reach a dead end, it was all for naught.
Customer care / support
This is the factor that we often forget to think of when buying any device that might need support if necessary. But that should definitely be in your check list as well.
If you have any questions or if you don’t know how to use the machine, you’d better have bought a unit from a company that truly considers your satisfaction as their main priority. Keep this in mind when buying your microdermbrasion device. You should be able to contact the company by email or by phone….There are some companies which totally ignore you after you bought their product, so please be careful…. If you only have a fax number to contact them, then you know you are also heading for trouble…
What is the Price for a good microdermabrasion at home machine ?
Now, in today’s world the price is important. Why pay more for something that you could save on and go on to buy something else? Less-expensive options do exist and in some cases, they are better than nothing. However, you usually get what you pay for – which isn’t too much.
The best approach is to take a budget and be willing to go just a little bit over that if you see something that you really like. It is better to pay a little more than to be disappointed, especially when it comes to your face.
Best microdermabrasion machines on the market usually cost between $ 200 and $ 300. That may sound expensive but we truly think it is a good investment.
To put it into perspective, if you were to go to a medical professional that will give you a one-time session (that you actually have to repeat if you want to see lasting results) then you would pay at least $150 and anywhere to $300 per treatment.
If you figure in that you need at least ten treatments to get the results many hope for, that could be upwards of $3,000. To have those results last, you need to get a least 2 or 3 rounds of these sessions per year, which means that you are up to about $9,000 per year.
Unless you are Beyoncé or Oprah, it’s a lot.
When you think about it that way, you are saving yourself a great deal of money by just investing in something you can do in your home. Not to mention all you will save on gas, waiting time, and even that coffee you will probably stop for on the way over.
As we also told you, you can even “rent” your machine to your friends or neighbours for $20-40 a session and earn some money. That would be a good way to earn some money to spend on other cosmetics, just saying haha
Now let’s check our Microdermabrasion at home reviews :
- Check here our review of the 1st machine of our TOP 3
- Check here the review of the other 1st machine of our TOP 3
- Check here our review of the 3rd best rated home microdermabrasion machine .
Thank you for the informative article. I purchased the skin trophy one because of your recommendation. I will let you know how it goes 🙂 As far as the nubrilliance… I bought it back in 2011 and it worked wonderfully for me for years… But then the suction issue you mentioned was the reason why I stopped using it. I don’t think all of them were that way, and it worked well when it did work, lol!
You saved me some money and some time because I was very close to purchasing another one off of ebay! I have sensitive skin and find that microdermabrasion is very good for me. I am turning 30 in June, and I have always been a big skin care girl. 🙂
hi nicole,
glad our guide helped you, the suction issue is pretty common with nubriliance, we are sure you will like microderm md from trophy skin 🙂 keep us posted.