Microdermabrasion with PMD

PMD Personal Microderm

         I have my share of small blemishes that exfoliation, gentle salicylic treatments, and patience haven't managed to erase yet. My interest was therefore piqued when PMD Personal Microderm offered to send me their at home microdermabrasion system for review. Microdermabrasian is mechanical exfoliation of the outermost layer of skin cells, usually by a trained professional. In this review I'll share my thoughts and experience with at home microdermabrasion.

        The microdermabrasion system comes with interchangeable heads and replacement heads (seen below with a dime for size comparison). The blue are for more sensitive skin, while the green is for more thorough abrasion. I've started out on the blues; they seem to be rough enough for me. The large heads are for use on body while the small heads are for use on the face. All heads will have to be replaced over time.

         The PMD Personal Microderm can be used once a week. Theoretically, it's simple to use. You hold your skin taut, and run the machine perpendicular to your face. You should run it only once over an area of skin and not over blemishes and the trick is to keep moving so you don't scrape off too much skin in one spot.. What makes the system a little tricky is that there is a vacuum like suction which probably serves to provide closer contact with the skin. Honestly, the vacuum effect is a bit frightening at first; it makes it hard to move along the skin quickly. I think managing the correct balance between too little or too much abrasion will take some practice.

         I also think how effective the system will be depends on your skin. I have thinner more delicate skin, so I worry about taking off too much with the PMD. It does leave pink marks behind which do disappear relatively quickly. However, if you are not careful, I've heard those marks can look more like wounds. For those with more robust facial skin, this system will probably be easier to use and work better. At this point, it's still a work in progress for me and my face. However, I am happy to use the PMD on my arm. I have a few old burn scars (from cooking) that I would love to remove. The body buffer is the perfect size to use on them and I feel safe using it on those areas.

          In summary, I've learned that microdermabrasion is essentially using a miniature sander to resurface your face. If used correctly, PMD may be cost effective relative to an in-office microdermabrasion. It may be a good option for those seeking more aggressive skin turnover than typical facial exfoliators provide. Right now, I'm still getting the hang of things. I've had the PMD Personal Microderm system for three weeks now and I haven't seen clear results yet (I'm reviewing because I was asked to in this time frame). I don't think it's a magic bullet for skin discoloration, however I'm hoping that I will see more results if I stick with it for a longer term.

          Thanks for reading my review! Have you ever had experiences with at-home or in-office microdermabrasion? Did they work for you?

Love, Dovey.