Best Microdermabrasion Machines in 2019

Microderm guide

Hey, guys! Beth here again! 🙂

I’ll shortly begin my complete guide of everything to do with microdermabrasion. But first, below is a quick note from the Health Base team that might save you some time!

We at theHealthBase have put a huge amount of time and resources when decide to create one of our fully comprehensive guides. As such, we strive to include everything and anything that you could want to know about the given topic.

However, we understand that people lead busy lives, and that such a complete guide as this one is quite a long read. Unfortunately, this is just an unavoidable side-effect of constructing a comprehensive piece!

Therefore, perhaps you already know about microdermabrasion, or maybe you don’t have the time to read this entire guide. Instead, you might just want to know which home kit is the best.

If the above describes you, then please feel free to click on the link below where you can avail of our summary table. This table will give a quick breakdown of the top three kits available today. However, as always, we do suggest that you take the time to read this guide in full.


BRAND:

KENDALL

NUBRILLIANCE

TROPHY SKIN

Kendall
NuBrilliance
Trophy Skin

Machine Name:

Professional Diamond

HB-SF02

Skin Care System

Skin Care System

Suction Power:

Max 28 inches/Hg

Max 14-16 inches/Hg

Max 22 inches/Hg

Friction Depth:

3mm

3mm

3mm

Kit includes:

- 2 wands

- 9 diamond tips

- 240 filters

- 2 cylinder oil filters

- 1 wand

- 3 diamond tips

- 30 filters

- 1 wand

- 1 diamond tip

- LED display featuring Auto Mode

- 5X magnifying mirror

- 100 filters

- Cleaning brush

- Blackhead extractor tip

Warranty length:

One Year

Three Years

Three Years

Convenience:

9/10

9/10

9/10

Diamond Tip Quality:

8/10

7/10

9/10

Durability:

9/10

9/10

9/10

Customer Care & Support:

8/10

8/10

8/10

*Amazon Review System:

112 Customer Reviews

202 Customer Reviews

229 Customer Reviews

Click for Best Price on Amazon:

P.S. Throughout this guide I have chosen to use the three terms associated with the above machines - "microdermabrasion" and "microderm". In terms of this guide, these two terms means the same thing! 🙂

*These review ratings are accurate as of the time this article was published. Click on the above buttons to see the up to date ratings & reviews.

My Short Story

I like to think of myself as a pretty ordinary girl. I look after myself in terms of my health, but not to the extent that it could be described as obsessive.

I’m conscious of what is good and what is bad for me, and I try my best to pick the former when a choice needs to be made. Most of the time I get it right, sometimes I don’t! But that’s life and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing the Dark Side every now and again!!  


“Life is meant to be lived, so live it!”

- Someone wise 😉


The above is true! Life is meant to be enjoyed; it’s not meant to be a terrifying ordeal. However, enjoying it can prove difficult if you are petrified about every germ or fleck of dirt. So, in this regard, I make sure to keep a tight leash on my inner Sheldon Cooper. 🙂

This mindset of mine has been tested rather vehemently in recent times. By being part of the Health Base team, my knowledge on everything to do with healthcare as increased enormously over the past few years. I won’t lie; it scared me in the beginning!!

The more knowledge I gained, the more threats to my health I could see! Gradually, as I continued to expand my understanding, I calmed down and really began to comprehend things.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom as I had first thought. However, I had learned one vital lesson – that being the importance of looking after my complexion This is doubly significant to the skin that adorns our faces.

Below I will explain why it's so important that we care for this part of body on a daily basis. I will do this by exposing the biggest threat to our facial health. A threat that is largely ignored by countless millions of people - the threat of accumulation.

The Stark Reality of Accumulation

Every day, your skin comes in contact with numerous elements and substances. This happens all year round. Your face, by being exposed 24/7, takes the brunt of these elements and substances.

There’s nothing wrong with this, once you make sure to take the necessary protective steps.

Now, a lot of these substances and elements can be removed with a good, healthy exfoliation routine. Stuff like this includes excessive oil/sebum, dead skin cells, or dirt from the outside world.

However, there are certain things that cannot be removed or corrected by simple exfoliation practices. 

Skin Problems

Nor can they be entirely avoided by applying protective creams. These things include the rays from the sun, pollution, weather elements, and other such damaging agents.

The danger with these particular agents is that their effect either won’t be immediately noticeable, or else their long-term harmful impact won’t be recognized. For example, over exposure to the sun’s rays may leave you with a red face or peeling nose. But a bit of after-sun and R&R will fix this, right?

Or how about a particularly viscous east wind. This will dry out your skin and could leave it flaky and irritated. But surely a good moisturizing rub will sort this issue, ye?

Or the ever-present air pollution that is evident in all our major cities. These invisible agents can stick to our faces and accumulate. However, this can obviously be remedied by exfoliating regularly, no?

The answer is yes…and no! All of the above can, and should be, treated on a regular basis with the above mentioned methods. There is no doubt that this will help your skin in the long run. Yet, the danger does not step there.


“Many of us think that only direct exposure to sun is dangerous for our skin – we assume that ‘natural light’ is fine. Think again! Just a little bit of UVA, all day, every day, really adds up.”

 - Brandith Irwin, MD


Over the years, these natural and manmade elements can cause serious problems for your complexion. The impacts can indeed be lessened by exfoliating, using barrier cream, and having common sense in your day-to-day life. The fact remains, tough, that these agents will eventually take their toll on your face.

But what else can we do? Well, I’ve explained the problem, so it’s only mannerly to next explain the solution!


What is this Treatment? 

This is a term that a lot of people would be unfamiliar with, not least because of its ridiculous length! It’s a tongue tester to be sure. 🙂 This is why it's often shortened to simply microderm. 

Another reason why people might not know about this treatment type is because it’s a relatively new concept in the field of healthcare. In layman’s terms, this is a process in which the outer layer of skin is removed in order to bring about the emergence of younger and healthier skin that lies beneath.

The health industry, as it tends to do, copped on to a major problem that was present in society. This problem was the lack of care that young people afforded their complexion.

I’ve no problem in admitting that I used to be one of these people. In my youth (teenage years), I very rarely bothered with looking after my face. As tends to happen with teenagers, I lacked the knowledge to properly care for my skin.

As a result, I rarely exfoliated. I moisturized every now and again, but not on a regular basis. And I used sun cream sparingly, really only when it was ridiculously hot or if my mother demanded it! Looking back now, these were idiotic moves on my part! Why? Yep, you guessed it – accumulation.

Thankfully, in recent times, the health industry have stepped up and delivered a solution that counters the negligence of youth. This solution comes in the form of microderm.

This treatment has been specifically designed to tackle the accumulative impact that life can have on our faces. It literally works to undo all the damage that we have unintentionally allowed happen to our facial features.

So, therefore, is it the solution? I certainly think so! But before you decide, read on to see how it works.


Benefits


Such a treatment works on the same principle as a facial scrub, except that it has far better results. Exfoliation kits and facial scrubs are fine for removing the majority of stuff that accumulates on your face. Stuff like dead skin cells, excess oil/sebum, or dirt.

Yet, these methods don’t get it all. And they don’t target long term accumulative agents. This is where microderm takes over.

Rather than just targeting these clogging materials, this treatment actually works to remove the outermost layer of skin on your face. This is the layer that has been battered and abused by life over god only knows how many years.

The majority of home kits incorporate a wand-like instrument (I’ll refrain from Harry Potter jokes 🙂 ). This wand possesses an abrasive tip that works to send a flow of tiny aluminum crystals/diamonds over the surface of your skin. These agents exfoliate and loosen any unwanted residue.

At the same time, the at home device applies a mild suction action to your skin which inhales all that nasty nonsense that had been clinging to your face. The crystal/diamond particles are also sucked away.

That’s pretty much the process in a nutshell. Sounds easy, right? Well it is! But the method is not the important thing. What’s important is this treatment can do for you.

Benefits of microderm


Why Should We Use It?

The list of answers for this question is endless! It really is. The benefits are there for everyone to see. To narrow it down a bit, though, here are some of the most common facial ailments that this treatment can treat:

  • Age spots
  • Sun damage
  • Uneven pigmentation
  • Facial lines/wrinkles
  • Minor scars
  • Deeply clogged pores
  • Rosacea sufferers
  • Mild acne


Overall Benefits

  • Works to reduce wrinkles & fine lines, "crow's feet, age spots, light acne scars, and undesired pigmentation
  • By removing the outer layer of decaying skin, this treatment rids your face of excess oil/sebum, dead cells & dirt
  • Results in a new, healthier and younger complexion emerging
  • Helps to remove years of accumulative damage that happens to us all
  • Greatly aids in the production of collagen - a protein that is essential for the cohesion, regeneration & flexibility of the skin
  • Overall improves the appearance & feel of your face - your complexion will glow, look younger, & feel softer to touch

Beginning to believe the hype? It sounds impressive, I know! But there’s more. Take a look next at how this treatment can help annihilate your acne issues once and for all.


Microdermabrasion For Acne

Acne is a horrible affliction to suffer from. I should know, I was plagued by this bacterial infection for the duration of my late teens and early twenties. Only in recent years have I managed to rid my face of this malady.

Acne affects your confidence and self-worth, making you extremely self-conscious and even bitter. I can say without doubt that the years I spent battling acne outbreaks were some of my most miserable. What made it worse was that these were the years that I was supposed to be growing and finding out who I was. It was all quite depressing. 🙁

Even though I am now acne free, I cannot help but have regrets. The main one being that this treatment type was not a common medical cure when I suffered from acne. I cannot help but wonder what impact it would have had on my life.

You see, microderm has been scientifically proven to have a huge impact on acne. It short, it kicks acne’s….behind. 🙂


“Oily skin and acne. Generally, microdermabrasion is best for this problem because the exfoliating tip (one patient described it as feeling like a cat tongue) will clean off dead skin cells instantly.”

- Brandith Irwin, MD


This home treatment type is beneficial for acne suffers in two distinct ways. Firstly, it works to clear blocked pores and remove excess skin, oil and dirt from you face’s surface. It does this with surgical accuracy and effectiveness. This results is a mind blowing exfoliation experience.

In addition to this, this treamtent also works to greatly reduce any scarring that acne might have caused. It will either completely eliminate these acne scars or reduce them to being barely visible.

Having availed of a this treatment type in recent times, I can fully attest to the massive impact of this second benefit.

Even though my acne days are well and truly gone, I had been left with a constant reminder. Acne scarring. I had even gotten used to it.

Thankfully, I took the opportunity to use one of these home machines not too long ago. It was without doubt one of the best decisions I’ve made in years. It’s right up there with agreeing to marry my fiancé…and yes, I have indeed told him as much. 🙂

Breakout

It would be remiss of me to not add a cautionary note. Due to its non-invasive nature, microderm will not work as effectively on deep acne scars. This severe type of scarring may need more full-on treatments such as dermabrasion or an acne chemical peel.

Also, while rare, there is a chance that your acne may be irritated by this treatment. This is why it’s always worth your time to visit your local doctor or dermatologist before deciding on a course of action regarding your acne. Such people are the authority on health issues – they’ve done the years of learning so as to be able to serve their communities. So use them! 

For a more detailed look at acne treatment, take a look at our related article which discusses the option of Using Microdermabrasion to Treat Acne & Acne Scarring.


Microdermabrasion For Rosacea

Just as this treatment can have a positive impact on acne, it can also help people who suffer from rosacea. For those who are unaware, rosacea is long-term skin ailment that is usually found on the face. Symptoms of rosacea include the following:

ROSACEA SYMPTOMS

Considerable facial swelling

Dilated blood vessels

Outbreaks of pimples

Redness in the face


To further explain, rosacea usually takes the form of inflamed skin that can swell or breakout in eruptions. This is why it is often mistaken for an allergic reaction or even acne.

But what effect can microderm have on such an ailment? Simply put, a this treatment will have a significant impact on reducing the redness associated with rosacea.  This, for the aesthetic benefits alone, is hugely beneficial.

If you suffer from one these above ailments then you may very well have some degree of rosacea. Of course, if you think this is the case then a trip to the doctor or local dermatologist is the correct move.

As with acne, there is a slight chance that this home treatment type could have an adverse reaction if used to treat rosacea. That’s why it is always in your own best interest to first visit the relevant medical professional before deciding on a course of action. Safety first, people!


What's the Next Step Afterwards?

This is a common question that pops up with regards to this topic. What should one do when one is finished a this treatment type? Or what other products work best in conjunction with this option?

These questions can be answered simply – keep doing what you’re doing! If you have reached the point in your life where you are considering such a treatment as the one I'm discussing in this guide, then it’s a safe bet that you already have a kick-ass exfoliating routine!

Question mark

So, the best advice is to keep up this routine along with using your at home kit. What you’ll find is that your exfoliation results will soon rapidly improve.

This reason for this is because these home machines not only works to rid your face of that outer, decaying layer, it also opens your pores to their ideal size. This then means that your regular exfoliating and moisturizing methods will be super effective.

IMPORTANT NOTE: the only side-effect (hardly even one) of microderm is that your face might be a little sensitive afterwards. This is because a new layer of skin is being exposed to the world for the first time.

This is why it is vital to have a quality moisturizing routine in place. After such a treatment, your skin will need to be rehydrated and brought back to its normal self. As with everything, it's worth your while doing due diligence in regards to choosing the best moisturizer for your complexion type. 


Home Treatment or Visit a Specialist?

Surely using a professional service is far more effective that DIY? It makes sense that someone who has years of learned knowledge and hands-on experience would be better than you? Well, truthfully, yes and yes!

The above certainly does make logical sense. But what’s key to understand is that the gap isn’t as large as you might think. Or as large as professional services would like you to believe.

Now, it goes without saying that the majority of medical or health related procedures/treatments are best left to the professional health community. This is obvious. Whether it be removing an ingrown toenail, or having a heart transplant, for the sake of your health please allow the pros to do their stuff!

However, microdermabrasion is quite a different story. The treatment is very non-invasive so there is little to no damage that can be done.

Also, because of the technological advancements in recent years, the actual process involved is one that a child could easily manage.

Another thing to take into consideration is the cost effectiveness angle.

DIY Reasons

On average, such a treatment at a professional clinic can cost anywhere between $80 to $200+. This mightn’t seem that bad. Until you realize that it's highly recommended that you use microderm once every two to three weeks, or at least 10 times over a certain period.

Even if you find a quality clinic that is priced at let's say $80 per treatment (and this is rare, trust me), you’re still looking at a cost of at least $800 to achieve the desired results. That’s a lot of money. Especially for something that you can do yourself at home for a fraction of the price.

I guess it boils down to one rhetorical question – why spent thousands on a specialist, when you can easily be your own specialist for a much cheaper fee?

I personally have tried both routes. I’ve been to clinics, and I also have my own personal at home kit. To be honest, I understand the whole mindset behind going to a clinic. Clinics give you peace of mind – you feel safe in the hands of a qualified professional. This is only natural.

But, to repeat, this treatment type really does not need expert professional supervision! It really doesn’t. Anybody who has a home unit will attest to this.

Which Machine is Best - Crystal or Diamond?

If you do any kind of research into home machines, then you’ll soon discover that there are two varieties. One is the crystal microdermabrasion machine, and the other is the diamond microdermabrasion machine. But what’s the difference? And, more importantly, which one is best?

Firstly, let’s examine the difference between the two units:

Crystal

​​​​​​

- This model employs a compression port on the hand-held wand that sucks in air. When the wand comes in contact with your skin, a vacuum is instantly created. Following this, exfoliating aluminum oxide crystals shoot out across the surface of your face.  These crystals can also be made from sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate.


- The crystals work to scrape off any offending residues or elements from your face as they are shot across the skin. These crystals and the debris are then removed by being sucked back into a different tube. All elements are then deposited in a disposal container.

Diamond

​​​​​​

- The diamond version works in a similar way to the above method, except that it doesn’t use crystals. Instead, after the vacuum is created by the wand on your skin, a diamond tip is used to scour off the dirt and unwanted elements that have piled up on the surface.


- It’s probably important to note here than when they say ‘diamond’, they don’t mean the shiny lump of precious stone found in wedding rings. Rather they’re referring to synthetic agents. As with the crystal method, all elements of the process are then swept away into a disposal container

The Key Q: Crystal or Diamond?

Thankfully, the winner is actually quite decisive. Experts as well as customers overwhelmingly agree that the diamond treatment method is the one to go for.

We at the Health Base also agree with this assessment. A considerable amount of our testing time was focused on figuring out which method was the superior.

We were quite relieved then that our results matched the generally held consensus!!

Diamond Microderm

From our research, here is a list we compiled of the reasons why diamond trumps crystal:  

Diamond technology provides…

  • ...a far smoother & gentler experience
  • ...better suitability for sensitive complexions
  • ...a super exfoliation process
  • ...a cleaner removal method
  • ...a shorter treatment duration due to its better removal capabilities
  • ...more options in terms of changing roughness
  • ...the ability to control/limit the impact of the microderm on any given area


In addition, we also found that using the crystal method can get quite messy in its application. It has also been known to cause irritation in some cases. Neither are things that you’d want to occur.


The Quality Checklist 

If you have ever visited our site before and read some of our content, you’ll know that we love a quality checklist! Such lists are a great way of organizing your thoughts. It gives you a list of boxes to tick in order to prove a product’s quality.

Most of all, it gives you peace of mind. You know that if you follow the list that you’ve made, and you’ve ticked the boxes, then you’ll end up with a brilliant product. Winging it may be good for some things, but buying a product is most definitely not one of those things!

I have owned three at home kits in my lifetime. I also know several people who also own such kits. As a result, I’ve pooled my own experiences with that of my friends and also the tones of research and customer evaluations that my teammates at the Health Base have compiled.

Out of this mass of data, I came up with the following checklist. I hope it helps!


Box 1 – Cost

As always, it’s important to start by ticking the cost effectiveness box. When I first went about buying my first home kit, I really didn’t have a clue as to what one might cost.

Microderm kits aren’t exactly common products so it can be tricky trying to gauge the value of one.

Admittedly, I paid well over the odds for my first kit. I didn’t do my due diligence and thus got stung!

Cost Effect

Now I know better. A quality at home kit should cost in-between $200 to $300 – no more and no less. This may seem like a costly purchase, but when you put into perspective you’ll soon see it’s actually a steal of a deal!

As noted before, a visit to a professional clinic will set you back anywhere from $80 to $200. And that’s just for the one visit. We already know that one treatment is pretty ineffective in the long run, that’s why 10 treatments is the recommended minimum.

Owning your own machine means that the first session will cost you $200 – $300, but then every other treatment is free! If that’s not the very epitome of cost effectiveness then I don’t know what is!

VERDICT: All three of our picks fall into that magical $200-300 value range. This, in the long run, is an excellent price for a home kit. All three therefore deliver good value for what they cost. The Trophy Skin kit is the most expensive but it is also the best product out of the three. The Kendall would be my second choice in terms of cost effectiveness, being cheaper than the NuBrilliance kit as well as being superior.

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Box 2 – Diamond Tip Quality

We have already established that it's best to go for the diamond tip technology rather than the crystal version. The question is, therefore, what do we need to know about this diamond tip technology to ensure that we buy the right kit?

The diamond tip needs to be top of the range or else the whole microderm process will be utterly worthless. The tip is what removes the unwanted agents that build up on the skin’s surface. Therefore, if this tip is of poor quality then the suction element will be in vain.

This is where you need to do research on the brand that lies behind the tip. Some brands are known for supplying clinic level diamond tips, while others have far poorer reputations.

Another factor to take into consideration when it comes to the diamond tip is the replacement factor. These tips need to be replaced after a certain period of time due to wear and tear. Though, as with any product, the higher the quality of tip then the longer that it will last.

BRAND

DIAMOND TIP QUALITY

Kendall

8/10

NuBrilliance

7/10​

Trophy Skin

9/10​

VERDICT: All three of these brands use the desired diamond tip technology. In terms of quality, the Trophy Skin unit possesses the best diamond tip – just edging out the Kendall version. Though, this is countered somewhat by the fact that the Kendall kit offers eight replacement tips to the Trophy Skin’s sole replacement. NuBrilliance’s diamond tips are of a high quality as well but they only offer three and are not as good as the other two brands.

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Box 3 – Suction Power

With most products, the last thing that you want to hear is that they suck!! Off the top of my head, a microdermabrasion machine and a vacuum are the only products where the extent to how much they suck is definitely both relevant as well as being a positive thing.

In terms of finding a top machine, the suction power is absolutely vital. Both the crystal and diamond tip versions work to scour your complexion of dead cells, dirt and other unwanted elements. However, all this effort can be for naught if the suction of the unit is not up to scratch.

If this occurs, then all this nasty rubbish will remain on your skin’s surface. This will increase the chance that your pores will become blocked. This is why the suction power is so important.

Suction power has a secondary benefit in that it works to form a stable connection between the wand device and your skin. This overall results in a far better exfoliation process.

When it comes to understanding what the desired suction power is, it helps to be familiar with the unit of measurement employed. Generally speaking, this is displayed in inches/millimeters per Hg (the Hg standing for Mercury just in case you don’t know your periodic table symbols!!)


“The higher this number --> the better your machine will suck --> the cleaner that the microderm process will be.”


It is important to note that a professional unit found in a clinic will have a suction power of roughly 28 inches per Hg. Perhaps even more than this.

It is possible to get an at home machine with this type of power, but do be prepared to pay that little bit extra for such a machine.

Normally, home units range from 16 to 22 inches per Hg. While this is not as powerful as 28, these measurements nonetheless supply enough suction power for a thorough exfoliating treatment. 

IMPORTANT NOTE 1: at home kits usually come with a preset function so that you can adjust the suction power. It is recommended to begin with a lower power setting, perhaps 14 or 16 inches per Hg. You can then work your way up if you think you need that extra oomph.

IMPORTANT NOTE 2: as with every skin treatment, you should always visit your local doctor and/or dermatologist before beginning. Such ailments and maladies like rosacea, severe acne, or eczema can cause complications to such a treatment as this one we're discussing.

BRAND

SUCTION POWER

Kendall

Max 28 inches/Hg

NuBrilliance

Max 14-16 inches/Hg​

Trophy Skin

Max 22 inches/Hg​

VERDICT: The Kendall wins this hands down – offering an impressive clinic standard suction power of 28 inches per Hg. This is an incredible power level for an at home machine. The Trophy Skin comes next with a very respectable 22 inches per Hg. This is plenty of power for such a kit. Taking up the rear again I’m afraid is the NuBrilliance with a max output of just 14-16 inches per Hg. While this is an adequate level of power for a treatment, it really does pale in significance when compare to the other two.

All three of these models have a preset function which allows you to alter between the suction power levels. It could very well prove to be the case that 28 inches per Hg is simply too powerful for your liking. Keep that in mind just in case your head has been turned by the Kendall’s awesome power!

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Box 4 – Durability

It goes without saying that a vital aspect of any product is the reliability of said product. A product’s value is inherently entwined with its longevity. If it cannot last the test of time, then it really is no good. It’s as simple as that.

The key question is…how do we prove durability (or lack thereof)? Well, there are a few key things to look out for:

Durability
  • Price: a home kit/machine that’s very cheap usually means that the unit is lacking in robustness. It has probably been constructed from poor materials that might just about hold out till the machine’s warranty is up. Maybe not even that long! Therefore, while you want to get the best deal, it’s important to not go for the cheapest available option.
  • Materials: a sturdy unit will be made from good materials, certainly more than just cheap plastic. Keep an eye out for how it looks – cheap, weak products are usually pretty obvious to spot.
  • Warranty: I will talk more about warranty in a bit but safe to say it’s definitely something to keep an eye out for. The longer the better!
  • Added protection: some machines come with extras such as a dust cover or perhaps a storage center for thw unit. While these items aren’t particularly necessary, they can supply some peace of mind. I’d advice though against basing your purchase decision on the inclusion/exclusion of such items – some companies add these extras in just to jack up the price or to cover for failings in other areas!

BRAND

DURABILITY

Kendall

8/10

NuBrilliance

8/10​

Trophy Skin

9/10​

VERDICT: very little separates these three brands in terms of reliability and durability. They are all compact and sturdy. If I’m nitpicking (I like to pick a winner 🙂 ) I’d have to say that the Trophy Skin is slightly more durable than the other two, though not to the extent that it would really matter. All three will last the test of time.

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Box 5 – Overall Effectiveness

A microdermabrasion unit certainly isn’t something bought on a whim. It is not an impulse buy that occurs when we are at the grocery store. Or browsing our favorite online wholesaler. In all honesty, most people wouldn’t even know what such a unit is or what it does.

The people who do know are the people who are in need of a home kit. This means that a home kit represents a very specific type of purchase. When someone buys this product, they are doing so for a well thought out reason.

As such, it's important that this need be met by the correct product. With regards to an at home kit, what you should be looking for in terms of overall effectiveness is pretty straightforward.

If used properly, the microdermabrasion before and after results are quite remarkable. It can have wondrous effects on your skin. But it has to be given a fair crack at doing this. This means giving the treatment enough time to work its magic. It won’t work overnight, but it will work in the long run. That’s the main thing to keep in mind.

I know several people who packed in their own treatments after just two or three sessions because their face only looked slightly healthier. Madness! This exfoliation method takes weeks and continuous treatments for the real benefits to be seen.

As with most things, therefore, patience is the key. You really can’t go wrong with the following mindset:

  • Ensure that you buy the correct machine

  • Give the necessary time to heal & repair any damage

  • Then simply enjoy being fresh-faced & as healthy as ever!

BRAND

OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS

Kendall

8/10

NuBrilliance

7/10​

Trophy Skin

9/10​

VERDICT: You may be sensing a trend at this point!! Once again there is little difference between the Kendall and the Trophy Skin. I gave the edge to the Trophy skin model as I feel its kit is just that bit more comprehensive and user-friendly. While the NuBrilliance is still a very good at home  machine, its suction power does leave it trailing the other two options.

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Box 6 – Add-ons

As with most healthcare products, microdermabrasion machines are advertised as coming as “kits” rather than just as a solitary product. What is included in these kits varies slightly and it is well worth being familiar with all the possible elements.

Each kit will of course contain the actual unit. A detailed instruction manual is also a mainstay of any kit. In addition, you will receive a wand, and a certain amount of diamond tips and filters.

The diamond tips and filters will need to be replaced over time so it’s always beneficial to buy a kit that supplies extras. Though, in saying this, neither of these two elements are expensive to replace so I wouldn’t factor it in too much to your overall decision.

Certain brands offer extra add-ons like a blackhead extraction tip; an infusion tip; a return container; cylinder oil filters; and many other possibilities.

Some of these add-ons are useful while some are simply gimmicks whose only purpose is to drive up the price of the kit. My best advice on these add-ons is to think about them logically. Ask yourself do I really need to spend the extra $5 or $10 to get a certain add-on?

Remember, this treatment is all about the machine, the wand and the diamond tips – these are the three components that will ultimately dictate whether or not you'll have a good treatment session.

BRAND

ADD-ONS

Kendall

- An extra wand

- 8 extra diamond tips

-240 12mm filters

- 2 cylinder oil filters

NuBrilliance

- 2 extra diamond tips

- 30 filters

Trophy Skin

- LED display featuring Auto Mode

- 5X magnifying mirror​

- 100 filters

- Cleaning brush

- Blackhead extractor tip

VERDICT: this one really comes down to your own personal preference. It is completely dependent on what add-ons you like the sound of. The NuBrilliance is quite limited in terms of add-ons, but it does offer 2 extra diamond tips – something that that the Trophy Skin does not, yet it’s nowhere near the 8 extra tips included in the Kendall kit.

The Trophy Skin possesses a nifty LED display feature that has an Auto Mode function. This allows you to see a visual guide of the treatment. It’s not essential but I found it a nice little bonus. The Trophy Skin unit also has a 5X magnifying glass which was super helpful. It allows you to examine your progress as well as the aftereffects.

As I’ve mentioned before, add-ons really shouldn’t play a prominent role in your decision process. They are not paramount to the process. I find it’s best to only consider add-ons if I’m torn between two inseparable kits. 

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Box 7 – Support

Much like with warranty, custom care and support are often overlooked when we are buying a product or availing of a service. However, as with warranty, these are things that really do need to be factored in when making a purchase.

We are fortunate to live in a time where instant knowledge can be found with a few types of a keyboard (thank you Google). However, from time to time it's still necessary to avail of help that only a professional can supply.

The majority of companies nowadays supply email addresses and phone numbers that can be used for customer support. Despite this, it’s no secret that the level and quality of this support can vary widely.

Some companies are dedicated to providing the best possible care and support for their customers. Others are quite the opposite. Brand reputation plays an important part in separating these two contrasting ideologies.

Therefore, when buying an at home kit, it is paramount that you purchase one from a well-respected brand. Brand reputation can easily be discovered with a quick search for customer feedback.

BRAND

SUPPORT & CUSTOMER CARE

Kendall

8/10

NuBrilliance

8/10​

Trophy Skin

8/10​

VERDICT: Kendall, NuBrilliance and Trophy Skin are all recognizable and respected Brand names within the beauty industry. They all offer phone numbers and email contact information. While there was no way that we at the Health Base could personally test their support system in a vigorous manner, we have done extensive research into the brand reputation and customer feedback of all three. As far as we could see, there have been no major trust issues.

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Box 8 – Convenience

A vital consideration for a quality machine, and indeed any product, concerns its ease of use. There is no point in purchasing a product that is a nightmare to use. It doesn’t matter how effective something is if it’s a constant struggle to operate it.

In the modern world we have grown accustomed to products becoming easier and easier to use. We all live busy lives and have a whole host of important issues that challenge us daily. Therefore, we'd rather not waste both energy and time mastering something that is meant to be improving our lives!

Home kits are no different. During our research, we considered three factors when it came to convenience. They are listed below:

Ease of Use

​​​​​​Simply put, a proper unit should be straightforward in terms of how it operates. Yes, a manual will be included. Yes, you should read said manual. But also operating the machine should really be self-explanatory. Microderm is not a process that should cause any confusion or difficulty. If there is, then there’s something wrong!

Easy to Clean

The last thing you want is to double the time you spend on your treatment because the cleaning process is over-complicated. This process should be doable in rapid fashion. In no way should it be a chore or lengthy in terms of time.

Easy to Store

​​​​When you are not using your microdermabrasion unit, you’re going to want to store it out of sight. Much like a vacuum or lawnmower. This can only be possible if the unit is of a size which means it can be discreetly hidden from view. There are quite a few bulky, over-sized units on the market today. These are awkward to store and should be avoided. Frustratingly, there is also no benefit or reason for their considerable size! Home kits and the machines themselves don’t need to be large to be effective. This is one time when size does indeed matter…but that size should be small!! 🙂

BRAND

CONVENIANCE

Kendall

9/10

NuBrilliance

9/10

Trophy Skin

9/10​

VERDICT: All three of these brands have created a microdermabrasion machine and overall kit that are super-easy to use, clean, and store. They are all very simple to use, guaranteeing no hassle and requiring no learning curve. In addition, each one is small enough to be portable as well as being comfortable to store.

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Box 9 – Warranty

The importance of warranty is something that is often undervalued or indeed ignored by many a customer. I can tell you from painful personal experience that this is a huge mistake!!

I used to be the type of consumer that would do little to no research into my intended purchases. I’d just buy whatever looked the best! I certainly never bothered about warranties or anything like that. Oh how silly was I!!

After getting stung several times with dodgy products, I now spend the necessary time evaluating a product that I intend to buy. An absolute necessity is that the product has a warranty. I seriously doubt I’d ever buy a product over a certain dollar value again if it possessed no warranty!

When it comes to an at home kit, you should be looking for a warranty of one year plus. Anything less than this should be avoided. The rule of “more is always better” most definitely applies when it comes to warranty length.

IMPORTANT NOTE: when buying  a microdermabrasion unit, it's best that you use it soon and on a regular basis. This way you can test its effectiveness and durability during the warranty period. This may sound obvious, but it's still worth keeping in mind. The last thing that you want to happen is to buy a product; not really use it in the beginning; later find out that there's a problem with it; but realize that the warranty is up!! Disaster. 

BRAND

WARRANTY

Kendall

One Year

NuBrilliance

Three Years

Trophy Skin

Three Years​

VERDICT: NuBrilliance and Trophy Skin offer three times the length of a warranty which is obviously preferable. However, if you use any unit straightaway and consistently then you’ll soon find out if there are any problems well within a year’s time. It really depends on whether or not you’d like the three years as some extra protection.

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Key Point to Understand

Microdermabrasion is not a one fix for all. It’s not designed, and cannot, fix every problem that you may have with your face. While it's an amazing piece of machinery that can effectively cure or help many facial ailments, it’s important to not see it as a miracle worker.

For example, this treatment cannot aid with tightening of saggy skin or remedy deep facial folds or creases. Neither can it alter bone structure or cure deep lacerations. These type of ailments need to be treated with medical procedures such as laser surgery or face lifting operations.

Therefore, it is important and prudent to understand this treatment for what it is – a non-invasive and mild treatment. In saying this, the benefits are clear for all to see. While it may not be a one fix for all kind of product (is there such a thing?), it certainly can have huge beneficial impacts on your face.


Am I Suitable for This Treatment?

This is an important question and once that you really need to consider before trying this particular treatment. Why? Because not every skin type is suited to this treatment. While microderm is a non-invasive treatment, it is not like using a facial scrub or moisturizer. There is very little chance that something adverse might happen, but there's still a slight risk.

The following is a list of ailments and conditions that can mix poorly with a this treatment:

  • Auto-immune disorders
  • Unstable diabetes
  • Pregnancy
  • Undiagnosed lesions
  • Facial herpes or warts
  • Active acne in stages 3 or 4
  • Active keloids
  • Deep scarring


While this list is comprised of pretty specific and severe conditions, it is still worth noting them. In addition, those of us who have had any recent procedures (a chemical peel or skin injections for example) should refrain from having a this type of treatment for two to three weeks.  This goes as well for any waxing or tanning that your face may have experienced!


My Personal Tip: Use Before a Big Event!!!

I learnt this trick from a friend of mine and I’ve been eternally grateful to her ever since!

I’ve lost count of the amount of birthday parties, weddings, work functions, et cetera et cetera that I’ve attended feeling fabulous solely because I’d used my home kit before heading out.

To have the ability to get my face looking and feeling its best before a big event is an absolute lifesaver. 

This is something that I think every woman would be envious of, and probably a fair few men if they were being honest with themselves!!

​​In terms of the logistics, the effects ease after 10 to 15 minutes. This means that you can go ahead and apply makeup within thirty minutes of your home treatment. What’s brilliant is that you’re applying the makeup to a canvas that is perfectly clean and healthy – this makes the process and results so much more gratifying.

There’s nothing better than getting dressed up and looking your absolute best! It’s one of the small delights in life that we all love. 🙂 Microderm ensures that your skin complexion and appearance matches your best clothes! It might even outshine them if you decided to go casual! 🙂

Personally, this is probably my most favorite aspect of this treatment method. I believe it’s worth owning one of these machines just for special events alone. The fact that I know my face will look its best for my big nights is something that I really would struggle to put a price on. Dare I say that it’s close to being priceless!  

FAQs

10 Common  FAQs

When you are trying anything new it's always a good idea to be as informed as possible before you start. This is especially prevalent for new medical and beauty ventures. Only by knowing your stuff on a certain topic can you then make the correct choice.

To help with this, I have compiled the ten most common questions that people have when it comes to this topic.

Q1: How long should a treatment be?

Answer: a treatment can last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. Any less will result in little to no effect. Any longer could prove detrimental to your skin.Complexion improvement should be evident after just one treatment. However, it’s important to note that lasting results can only be obtained after several treatments. This is why it’s beneficial to own your own kit.


Q2: Is this a safe treatment method?

Answer: in one word – absolutely. This is one of the most attractive elements; the fact that it is super safe. This safety lies in its non-invasive nature. The vast majority of people will have no adverse reactions to this treatment.


Q3: Should I only use a professional unit and treatment?

Answer: no, not particularly. It’s common sense to believe that any medical or beauty related treatment/procedure would be best done by a professional. Of course this is true; they’re professionals for a reason! With that being said, the related technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years. This has resulted in top of the range products that are as easy to use as they are effective.

In addition, due to its mild nature, DIY versions are incredibly safe and user-friendly. Of course, it is still advisable that you understand exactly how to use a microderm machine before attempting a treatment.


Q4: Who is best/least suited for this treatment type?

Answer: as alluded to in this guide, this method is ill suited for a specific minority people. However, it is overall a very safe treatment for the majority of people. To check out who should avoid this treatment, please refer back to the relevant section in this guide.


Q5: What is the average cost of a treatment?

Answer: if you decide to go with a professional treatment rather than buy a kit yourself, then it will set you back between $80 to $200+. Considering that it’s advisable to do regular microdermabrasion treatments for the best results, these treatments with a pro can really add up over time.


Q6: Is using a home machine painful?

Answer: no, not at all. This treatment type works to gently exfoliate the skin with miniscule aluminum oxide crystals or a diamond tip. Neither of which are painful or uncomfortable. The only sensation will be a mild tingling or warming sensation. All the people that we surveyed actually enjoyed this sensation with the vast majority describing it as relaxing.


Q7: Are there any side effects of microdermabrasion before and after?

Answer: the only noticeable side effect that has been recorded is perhaps an increased skin sensitivity for a short time. While this is a very minor worry, it's worth keeping in mind just in case you will be exposed to high levels of sunlight in the days after your treatment. In this case, ensure that you apply the correct protective cream.


Q8: Does it interfere with work?

Answer: in no way should this treatment type interfere with your work day. A treatment lasts no longer than an hour and the side effects are pretty much non-existent. If anything, you might look a bit flushed as your skin will be refreshed. Not quite sure how this would affect your work day, though!


Q9: How often should I use microderm?

Answer: professionals are of the general consensus that this treament works best when administrated once every two or three weeks. This is the best way in which to avail of the maximum benefits that this treatment can deliver. If this is not feasible, the next best agreed routine is to use this treatment 10 times in certain period of time.


Q10: What are the results of microdermabrasion?

Answer: as stated above, even just one quality treatment will result in benefits for your skin. Color, tone, and overall health will be improved. Once the treatment is complete, you will find that your face will be far fresher and smoother in appearance. To repeat, it is still advisable to use this treatment on a regular basis to gain the full benefits from this treatment. 


Summary Table

BRAND:

KENDALL

NUBRILLIANCE

TROPHY SKIN

Kendall
NuBrilliance
Trophy Skin

Machine Name:

Professional Diamond

HB-SF02

Skin Care System

Skin Care System

Suction Power:

Max 28 inches/Hg

Max 14-16 inches/Hg

Max 22 inches/Hg

Friction Depth:

3mm

3mm

3mm

Kit includes:

- 2 wands

- 9 diamond tips

- 240 filters

- 2 cylinder oil filters

- 1 wand

- 3 diamond tips

- 30 filters

- 1 wand

- 1 diamond tip

- LED display featuring Auto Mode

- 5X magnifying mirror

- 100 filters

- Cleaning brush

- Blackhead extractor tip

Warranty length:

One Year

Three Years

Three Years

Convenience:

9/10

9/10

9/10

Diamond Tip Quality:

8/10

7/10

9/10

Durability:

9/10

9/10

9/10

Customer Care & Support:

8/10

8/10

8/10

*Amazon Review System:

112 Customer Reviews

202 Customer Reviews

229 Customer Reviews

Click for Best Price on Amazon:

*These review ratings are accurate as of the time this article was published. Click on the above buttons to see the up to date ratings & reviews.


The Final Word & Verdict

When it comes down the bottom line, I feel that the Trophy Skin and Kendall kits are superior to the NuBrilliance one. The NuBrilliance machine and kit will supply a good standard of treatment, but the other two will provide an even better experience for in and around the same money.

So, who wins? Even though the Trophy Skin costs quite a bit more than the Kendall, I can’t help but lean towards the former as my favorite. This machine offers a superb level of suction power and its diamond tip is superior.

The Kendal does have the strongest suction power level of three brands at 28 inches per Hg, but I wouldn’t necessarily see this as a massive advantage. 28 is quite an extreme level of power, and I personally believe that the 22 inches per Hg offered by the Trophy Skin kit is more than adequate.

In addition, the Trophy Skin kit’s add-ons blow the other two out of the water – in particular the 5X magnifying mirror and LED display with Auto Function are quality additions. This home kit also possesses a superior warranty which is not something that should go unnoticed.

All in all, I would choose the Trophy Skin kit over the Kendall but you really cannot go wrong with either. Like I’ve stated previously, I like to choose a winner. 🙂

WINNER: Trophy Skin


Join the Health Base Community!

Please feel free to post any messages below – any questions or relevant information is always greatly appreciated as it gives myself and the Health Base team things to ponder and perhaps add to our guides!

Also, we’d love to hear from you on a regular basis. We firmly believe that sharing knowledge and life experiences is paramount in making the society we live in a better and more educated one. So why not join our community, your two cents’ worth can go a long way to helping someone else out! 🙂 Also feel to browse our related content below. 

Wishing you the best health,

Beth

Beth
 

Hey, people! Beth here with some info. about little old me! I'm a regular writer for The Health Base. My education and passion lies in the skin care & aesthetics field - areas that I'm constantly looking to become knowledgeable in! Get in touch if you wish to know more about me - you can do so here. Bye :)

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