According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, microdermabrasion was ranked the fourth most asked-for low invasive cosmetic treatment in 2006.

Recently though, microdermabrasion has expanded its reach beyond the doctors offices and into people's homes. This has caused the procedure to lose its high

standing as a top aesthetic treatment.
 
However, if you are performing microdermabrasion on yourself, there are a few things you should know. The following four-step schedule will help you become

your own skin expert.
 
1. Ask yourself what you expect from microdermabrasion. Without knowing what you really want from a product, you can't truly determine its effectiveness. Microdermabrasion is most commonly used to reduce wrinkles, remove or reduce scars, lighten skin tone, retexturize damaged skin, and reduce

the appearance of freckles and age spots.

2. Determine your skin type to help decide how often you should use microdermabrasion. Depending on whether your skin is oily, dry, rough, leathery or sensitive will be a determining factor for how often your should treat your skin.

3. Choose your microdermabrasion product to suit your skin type and your skin goals. A deep skin procedure will not be your best choice if your skin is sensitive and you only want to reduce the appearance of freckles as it may cause irritation. On the other hand, if you have leathery skin and deep wrinkles, you wouldn't want a product that barely affects the skin.

Generally: Sensitive skin wants to stick to smooth, small crystals for exfoliating and creams with no fragrances; Dry skin will want to use a lotion or oil-based microdermabrasion procedure; Oily and rough skin will want a strong, deep treatment that will penetrate the oily layer on the skin. Consider apricot or pomegranate agents to exfoliate.

4. Repeat procedures according to your skin's response. After you are sure that you have chosen the correct microdermabrasion agent and procedure, monitor the length of time it takes your skin to heal from the treatment as well as the effectiveness according to your objectives. While it is normal right

after the treatment for your skin to be slightly red and tender, after a couple of days your skin should begin to feel better. Once it feels better, you are free to treat your skin again. Focus only on giving your skin enough time to heal after each treatment.
 
It is safer to perform at-home microdermabrasion much more frequently than you would professional treatments. The results of your at-home treatments will achieve the best results once you have determined the best combination for your skin.