What’s the Difference Between Dermaplaning and Microdermabrasion?

The concept of removing the upper layers of the skin for rejuvenation and skin wellness dates back as far as 1500 BC when Egyptian physicians smoothed scars with a type of sandpaper. Today’s skin rejuvenation procedures done in anti aging medical spas, or medi spas, are much more advanced. In fact, practitioners use a variety of techniques to eliminate dead cells, revealing brighter, healthier-looking skin.

Whether you’ve visited a medical spa or not, you may have heard the terms “dermaplaning” and “microdermabrasion.” While these procedures are similar, they do employ different tools and show slightly different results. Let’s take a look at some of the things that set these medical spa services apart.

The Purpose

While both treatments are meant to provide advanced exfoliation for a soft, smooth, healthy, and glowing complexion, there are some subtle differences that would lead a person to choose one over the other.

The Purpose of Dermaplaning: Dermaplaning is intended to eliminate the “peach fuzz” on the face that often gets caked up in makeup. The treatment removes dead skin cells and facial hair, leaving the surface smooth. Removing dead cells and hair also facilitates deeper penetration of skincare products and creates a clean canvas for flawless makeup application. Ultimately, the purpose of dermaplaning is to make the skin as smooth as possible.

The Purpose of Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion is designed to remove excess skin cells, blemishes, wrinkles, and unwanted pigmentation. It can also help replenish natural nutrients, restore cell activity, and enhance skin wellness by promoting greater absorption of skincare products. In other words, microdermabrasion is intended to correct imperfections.

The Tools and Techniques

To achieve the desired results, estheticians will use a different set of tools for each procedure. Let’s take a look at the tools and techniques unique to each treatment.

Dermaplaning Tools and Techniques: Dermaplaning uses a #10 uniquely designed scalpel to gently stroke the face to remove dead skin cells and vellus hair (peach fuzz) from the top layer of the skin. It is a painless procedure that feels much like shaving. Before the treatment, the esthetician will clean and dry the skin. Then, the skin will be held taut as short, quick strokes scrape off cells and fuzz.

Microdermabrasion Tools and Techniques: Diamond microdermabrasion uses sterile diamond heads to remove the topmost layer of the skin. The tool then suctions or vacuums up the loose particles along with any dirt and dead cells. The esthetician will likely do one to two passes on different sections of the face at a time while the skin is held taut. Microdermabrasion is only slightly more invasive and can cause temporary redness and irritation.

As mentioned above, both techniques are designed to produce smooth, radiant skin that is primed to absorb nutrients and promote skin health. While dermaplaning is intended to leave a clean, smooth canvas by eliminating excess skin cells and hair, microdermabrasion also removes skin cells but has the added benefit of correcting imperfections like uneven pigmentation and blemishes. Visit your local medical spa to determine which treatment is best for you.