Bringing up microdermabrasion again....

L

Lunacat

Cathlete
Hi Ladies!

I searched through the microdermabrasion topics on the forums and didn't get the info I was looking for...sooooo here goes:

For those of you who use an 'at home' kit, does yours come with a cream or actual dry crystals? I want to buy a kit, but I want to make sure I wind up with something that will really work, not just do a little light exfoliating.

Any comments will be greatly appreciated! :D

Lunacat
 
Thanks for answering, Kathryn. That's what I've seen too. I didn't know if that's what's in all the kits. It just seems that a cream wouldn't be as effective as what I've read about the treatment you get by a professional, where they blast your face with the dry crystals.

I might just be overthinking this. :)
 
I hate to be a damper on the whole situation. I get microdermabrasion from a professional monthly. She usually incorporates a little bit of micro into my regular facial. She usually does my nose and cheeks, sometimes my whole face. Anywhoo.... I don't know if it really makes a difference on the long term. For the short term my skin looks more even, but I don't think it has any lasting effects.

In my opinion chemical peels are much more effective. I think Loreal and Neutrogena sell these also. Most important is using a lotion or cream with Retinol in it nightly. And even more important than that is sunscreen, everyday, with at least an SPF of 15. This is the cheapest of all wrinkle preventors. :) :)

Lori
 
You're not dampening anything, Lori! :) I'm not so much concerned about wrinkles. Mainly, my skin texture is a little uneven and I have some darker spots from a few recent acne episodes. Smoothing my skin a bit and (hopefully) lightening those spots is my ultimate goal.

I'm a little nervous about doing a chemical peel myself. Sounds painful, though, I would imagine if it really was, no one would do it. And I'm a sunscreen junkie! I grew up in New Mexico so I never leave the house without sunscreen and sunglasses.

Lunacat
 
Excellent Lunacat. I don't think the chemical peels hurt that bad, especially the at home ones. And if they do, it's a good burn, almost like working out with Cathe. :) You know it's working. I also have dark spots and some acne scars. I am 32, I am starting to see very fine lines around my eyes. It's a bummer. :) I need to be more dilligent with the sunglasses, all of that squinting has taken a toll.

Lori
 
I've also heard the peels are much more effective.

Is your face left red after doing this? How long does the redness last?

Thanks for the input.
 
I use a dermatologist strength glycolic peel by a company called Larachem. They are out of Toronto. I don't remember the web sight off hand but if you do a goole search it should come up. I started with the 30% and it was a bit weak for me. I went straight to the 50%. I do it once a week. Leave it on for 6/7 minutes and then rinse off with cool water. I do it on Monday's or Tuesdays. Then I use the Neutrogena micro dermabrasion system on Thursday and a mud mask on Saurday. I am also on a presription topical creme call Tazorac. It helps the skin slough off quicker. As we age our skin turns over slower. I found my pores were clogging much faster. I am 45 with oily skin. Not acne - just blackheads. And the occasional stress goiter zit. Also use a 5% benzoyal peroxide in the morning by a company called Galderma. You have to order the 5% out of Canada as the U.S. you need a script. Just go to google search for it also. I use Cetaphil for oily skin and the Neutrogena healthy skin line. I have used just about everything. I think oily skin people are always looking for the "cure". Pro Activ/ Clinique/ Laszlo/ Arbonne/ - you name it and I have done it. Laszlo gave me great results in my 20's for some reason.

I always wear the sunscreen - even in Michigan.

I did splurge last month with LaMer eye cream. It is not that emoillent but I did notice a difference in my dark circles. At night I put Kiels eye balm over it.

And a botox every four-five months. Between the eyes, around the eyes, my bunny nose and my lips that I purse for some reason. I don't smoke but it can look like I do so he hits me there. Miracle drug. I look like I have slept now.

Hope this helps.

Dawn
 
I got my microdermabrasion kit from skinstore.com, it's called Dermanew. It came w/a cream but I recently bought some crystals from ebay. Haven't tried them yet--you're supposed to mix them in w/a gentle soap.

OK, now I'm off to find a good home chemical peel.......:)
 
Dawn,

Wow, I think you definitely get the best skincare award!!

I almost bought the Loreal Glycolic (sp?) peel last night but the bottles looked so tiny I couldn't bring myself to part with the $20. I am thinking about getting a peel or micro next time I get my hair done, since they have a facialist on staff. I figure if I pay for it, it may as well be professional strength!

My problem is very DRY skin. My forehead in particular is apt to break out with those little red bumps that aren't acne... I tend to use hydrocortisone to clear them up (but this doesn't help the dryness). Anyone else have this problem? Suggestions??

Thanks,
Marie
 
I've been doing home peels too. I have to be very careful and go slow (using low strength products and leaving on a very short time), but the results have been great, even with my ultraconservative approach.

The change in my skin is actually due to total change in skin care for me. In Feb I started using copper peptide products and healing oils. I can't believe how much my skin has changed in just a few months. Change is slow like weight loss and muscle tone, so a few months is not a lot of time for significant change. I also finally found a sunscreen that is too good to be true. I'm so used to smearing what feels like axel grease on my face for higher spf sun protection. Anthelios (it is hard to get since it is only sold in europe) is amazing. It has a watery texture that dries matte, and an spf of 60, both uva/uvb. It's amazing. I don't want to sound like a salesman, just raving on some personal triumphs!
 
All of you are great for sharing your secrets! I'll be 30 in June but due to years (and years and years) or smoking, I have more than my fair share of little wrinkles around the eyes. Glad I quit that horrible habit!

Just a couple years ago, I started realizing that I needed to use a moisturizer every day, so I do that (must be spf 15 or higher). I also use the Burt's Bees facial scrub every other day or so (it smells spicy/citrusy :9). These days my pores seem to be getting a little bigger and my skin texture isn't as smooth. I also think the Virginia humidity is making me break out more.

So based on the responses here, I think I will get one of the cheaper MD kits and try that a few times, then try a chemical peel and just keep track of the results. I never thought I would have to think about stuff like this. What happened to the perfect skin I had at age 10??? :D
 
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