Microneedling vs. Microdermabrasion: Which Treatment is Best for Your Skin Goals?

When it comes to finding the right medical aesthetics treatments to move you closer to your goals, you have an astounding range of options to choose from. In fact, there are so many choices that it can feel overwhelming, and many people don’t know where to begin. 

Ashley Muse Aesthetics & Wellness, we’re here to provide personalized, science-backed advice on which treatment paths best align with your needs and goals. Let’s take a closer look at the differences between microdermabrasion and microneedling. 

Microdermabrasion and microneedling both deliver great results

Both of these treatments can help you achieve a more youthful, healthy complexion. They’re both excellent alternatives to more invasive treatment options like plastic surgery. Both are suitable for individuals who are not good candidates for light-based therapies, such as intense-pulsed light (IPL) or laser treatments. 

It’s essential to note that DIY tools are available for both microdermabrasion and microneedling. But these tools can cause serious harm to your skin if you aren’t properly trained in medical aesthetics. 

The risks include infection due to improper sterilization, skin damage resulting from excessive skin disruption, and scarring if you accidentally remove too much skin or cause damage to your skin. The best way to take advantage of these highly effective treatments is by partnering with a professional who has the necessary medical training to administer them safely. 

Microdermabrasion: Creating a clean slate

Microdermabrasion works by using powerful yet carefully controlled physical exfoliation to remove the outermost layers of dead skin cells, as well as skin and environmental debris that accumulate on the surface of your skin. 

Some of the issues that microdermabrasion can improve include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Enlarged pores
• Uneven skin texture
• Acne scarring
• Sun spots and other hyperpigmentation

This in-office treatment takes less than an hour. Your practitioner moves the treatment handpiece over the surface of your skin in a specific pattern. Some devices use a rough-textured surface to remove dead skin, while others rely on a powered stream of tiny crystals to achieve the same effect. 

You’ll emerge from treatment with glowing skin, although some minor swelling, redness, and tenderness are normal for a couple of days. 

Microneedling: Triggering your innate healing abilities

Microneedling works by using small, sterile treatment needles to create thousands of tiny punctures into the deeper layers of your skin. Your body responds to each of these punctures as if they were tiny wounds. 

A strong healing reaction follows, including improved circulation to the area and the development of new cells. Microneedling’s primary benefit is the stimulation of new collagen production. As this layer of healthy collagen cells develops, it smooths and tightens your skin from the inside out. 

Some of the issues microneedling can improve include:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Enlarged pores
• Loose or sagging skin
• Hyperpigmentation
• Scarring, including acne scars

Microneedling takes a bit more recovery time than microdermabrasion, but it’s nothing extreme. Expect mild swelling, tenderness, and redness for a few days to a week. Some minimal bleeding and bruising may also occur immediately after treatment. 

It takes time for your body to create new collagen, so be patient after your microneedling sessions. You’ll begin to see results within a few weeks, and after a couple of months, the full effects will be visible. 

Microdermabrasion and microneedling are both great options

As you can see, the benefits possible through microdermabrasion and microneedling are similar. Many people prefer to try microdermabrasion first because it is less invasive than microneedling, and the recovery time is shorter. 

One way to think about the difference between these two options is to remember that microdermabrasion creates results from the surface inward, while microneedling triggers results from the inside outward. 

The best way to choose a treatment path that is perfectly aligned with your needs and goals is to schedule a personalized consultation. After a brief skin assessment and a discussion of what you hope to achieve from your treatment, you’ll learn what to expect in terms of the number of treatments needed, the timing, and the expense. 

You can book a visit with a quick phone call or use our easy online booking tool to find a time that fits your busy schedule. We look forward to welcoming you to the Ashley Muse Aesthetics & Wellness family.