Many skin care treatments seem the same until you begin to investigate. This is the same thing that happens with microneedling vs microdermabrasion treatment. Both are popular. Both are beneficial to skin texture. Both can freshen the look of your skin. However, there are significant differences in how they work.
Microneeding is typically applied to more severe problems, such as fine lines, skin texture problems and acne scars at a professional microneedling clinic. On the other hand, microdermabrasion treatment is more about abrasion, to give the skin a smoother and more glowing look.
It is actually dependent on your skin, objectives and quite frankly, the level of downtime you could stand.
Let’s simplify that.
The Truth About Microneedling
At first, the term “microneedling” may sound a bit scary since it is small needles, but it is not. However, the treatment is meant to allow your skin to heal itself naturally.
A device creates very small micro-injuries in the skin, which in turn stimulates collagen production. It’s the collagen that comes in handy to help with the improvement of scars, texture and fine lines over time.
Typically, patients opt for microneedling for:
- Acne scars
- Enlarged pores
- Fine lines
- Uneven texture
- Stretch marks
- Dry, tired or rough skin
It’s not about seeing an instant glow but about improving your skin over time.
What About Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is quite gentle.
It doesn’t work at the deepest layers of skin, but rather at the surface where it will remove dead skin cells. It’s similar to a deep-cleaning exfoliation, but on a more advanced level than you can get at home.
It can be used for:
- Dull-looking skin
- Mild texture issues
- Dry or flaky skin
- Minor discoloration
- Congested pores
It is loved by many for the instant smoothness of the skin.
Microneedling vs Microdermabrasion Treatment: What’s the Biggest Difference?
Let’s break it down so you can better understand the difference between microneedling vs microdermabrasion treatment:
Unlike other treatments, microneedling operates beneath the skin to lift the dead skin cells. The microdermabrasion is an action that takes place on the surface.
Although both help to enhance skin, they do it differently.
Which One is Better for Acne Scars?
Microneedling is generally the better treatment choice when dealing with acne scars.
That’s because acne scars tend to be deeper in the skin and over time, you can help reduce their appearance through collagen stimulation.
Microdermabrasion can be used to treat very mild texture problems, but typically will not have a significant impact on deeper scars.
Which Treatment Is Gentler?
Microdermabrasion wins here.
For people with:
- Sensitive skin
- Low pain tolerance
- Fear of needles
It is usually more simple and more accessible to experience microdermabrasion.
At most, most people depart with a slightly pink skin.
The redness stays typically a day or two with microneedling, however, the skin may feel warm and tight and may look like it’s had a mild sunburn.
What About Fine Lines and Aging Skin?
This is where microneedling really shines.
Collagen production typically decreases with age. That’s one of the reasons why skin becomes soft and starts to show fine lines.
Microneedling stimulates the skin to regenerate collagen again.
That can help to enhance:
- Fine lines
- Skin firmness
- Texture
- Overall skin quality
Microdermabrasion can also help to brighten and smooth the skin, but typically only on the surface level and for a shorter duration.
Which is faster?
It depends what kind of results you mean.
Microdermabrasion:
- The skin tends to be smoother right after.
- Rejuvenates your smart phone’s appearance in a hurry
- Excellent before events/photos
Microneedling:
- Results take longer
- Improvements build gradually
- More conducive to long-term correction
If you are looking for quick brightening, then microdermabrasion will seem more immediate. Microneedling is more likely to show improvement over time in terms of skin texture and collagen production.
Can You Do Both?
Actually, yes.
Both treatments target different components and a lot of skin care clinics employ both in their skin plans.
For example:
- Microdermabrasion for maintenance and glow
- Microneedling for deeper correction
They don’t necessarily compete with each other. Sometimes they complement each other.
How many sessions will you require?
Microneedling
Usually:
- 3 to 6 sessions
- Spaced several weeks apart
Especially for acne scars or deeper texture concerns.
Microdermabrasion
Often done more regularly:
- Every few weeks
- Similar to ongoing skincare maintenance
Consistency matters more than trying to “fix” everything in one appointment.
The choice between microneedling and microdermabrasion treatment may seem a bit confusing if you are trying to pick one of the two. Having a clear idea between the differences makes it much easier to make your decision.
Final Thoughts
Initially, you might find it difficult to figure out the difference between the two treatments: microneedling vs microdermabrasion treatment, but, once you know what the difference is, you can choose with ease.
Microdermabrasion is great for refreshing and smoothing the skin’s surface. Microneedling is deeper and more directed towards the collagen and long-term results of the skin.
And honestly, that’s usually what decides it for most people. Are you looking for a quick refresh, or are you trying to correct something deeper over time?
Understanding the true difference between microneedling vs microdermabrasion arms you with more information to decide on the treatment your skin needs instead of marketing hype.
