DIY Professional Treatments: Microdermabrasion

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Did you know the top layers of your skin are dead? Dead! So all the moisturising in the world will not hydrate or nourish your skin if you don't properly shed that dead surface layer (Don't worry - you have seven layers of skin in total)!

Microdermabrasion is the ultimate in exfoliation. It's the third most popular non-surgical treatment (behind Botox and laser hair removal) and is administered by dermatologists and beauticians. Performed with a machine that blasts the skin with tiny crystals (then sucks them up and rinses them away), it leaves skin revitalized and silky soft. Many women call it an addiction. The procedure costs around $90 per 30 minute treatment with a set of six treatments recommended.

Unlike scrubs that use walnut shell or seeds to scrub away dead cells, microdermabrasion works on a smaller, finer level by using glass or aluminium oxide crystals as the abrasive agent. Aluminium oxide, otherwise known as corundum, is a naturally occurring crystal that safely picks up and traps dead skin in its lattice-like structure. It's so good at exfoliating it's used to make sandpaper, so you could think of it as a 'cut & polish' for your face.

Here are two Do-It-Yourself (DIY) microdermabrasion treatments you can do in the convenience of your home, without having to drive anywhere, find parking spaces or pay per treatment! And you get to keep your beauty in your own hands. Your skin really will be smooth and you will love how your foundation just glides on afterwards. As you'll be exposing a new layer of skin, remember to follow with moisturiser, use a SPF 15+ product and avoid excessive sun exposure.

Baking Soda Paste:

Baking soda is mild, safe and fine enough to polish skin on a 'micro' level. While it's hardly elegant, it does balance the pH levels of acids on your skin, costs almost nothing and you probably already have some in your kitchen!

Mix up a paste in an eggcup or small bowl. Use one part baking soda to three parts water. Apply to face as a mask. Use circular motions with fingers to polish your skin for a minute or so. Rinse off and pat dry.

At-Home Microdermabrasion Set:

With the popularity of this treatment, even some supermarket skin care brands now produce their own at-home microdermabrasion kits. Many consist of a brush and polishing cream while others include a hand-held, battery-powered polishing disc. Prestige brand Mary Kay Cosmetics produces a two-step set: a polishing cream that contains aluminium oxide crystals (Refine) and an antioxidant-packed serum to replenish, soothe and soften the skin (Replenish). Note: Step 1 is even easier when done in the shower. The set costs $76 (New Zealand dollars) and gives you about 40 treatments - that's about 10 months worth if used once a week.

Step 1: Dampen face and apply Refine. Avoiding eyes and mouth, use circular motions with your fingers to polish skin for two minutes. Rinse off and pat dry.


Step 2: Squirt two pumps of Replenish onto fingertips and pat onto exfoliated skin.

This is exactly what I use. Last year my skin became beautifully reconditioned and balanced using Mary Kay products so I opened an account with them! They don't sell through retail stores and otherwise are only available through independent distributors.

So get yourself an at-home microdermabrasion set or some baking soda paste and experience new, baby-soft skin. And while you enjoy the benefits of a 'professional' treatment at home, you'll be taking beauty back into your own hands.

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