Skin Health Acne Professional Procedures Print How the 2 Types of Microdermabrasion Work Crystal vs. Diamond-Tip Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD on November 25, 2019 Casey Gallagher, MD is board-certified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Casey Gallagher, MD on November 25, 2019 Written by facebook Written by Angela Palmer Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. Learn about our editorial policy Angela Palmer Acne Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping small_frog / Getty Images Microdermabrasion is a popular cosmetic procedure because it works on both the outer layer of the skin (called the epidermis) as well as the deep layer of the skin (the dermis). There are two basic types of microdermabrasion—crystal microdermabrasion and diamond microdermabrasion. They both offer similar benefits, but the process between the two is slightly different. How Crystal Microdermabrasion Works Crystal microdermabrasion, sometimes called microcrystal dermabrasion, is the form of microdermabrasion that originally came to the United States from Europe. And it's still the most popular type of microdermabrasion. During a treatment, super-fine crystals are sent from a receptacle on the microdermabrasion machine, through a tube, and to a glass or stainless steel wand. Via the wand, the crystals are sprayed over the skin (think of it as gentle, controlled sandblasting for your skin). The crystals and exfoliated skin particles are simultaneously vacuumed away through the same wand. Used crystals are sent to a second receptacle on the machine, and are discarded after every procedure. Don't worry; they aren't reused. Aluminum oxide (corundum) crystals are typically used because they are nearly as hard as diamonds. Magnesium oxide, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and even sodium chloride (salt) crystals are sometimes used as well. How Diamond-Tip Microdermabrasion Works Diamond-tip microdermabrasion is a newer procedure, but one that quickly gained popularity as a crystal-free microdermabrasion option. Instead of using crystals to exfoliate the skin, a wand with a diamond-encrusted tip is passed over the skin. The diamond tip abrades the skin and, like the crystal version, the exfoliated particles are then vacuumed away through the same wand. So, to continue the analogy, if crystal microdermabrasion is like sandblasting the skin, diamond-tip microdermabrasion is like using sandpaper. Diamond-tip microdermabrasion is a bit cleaner, simply because there are no stray gritty crystals left behind on the skin. And some say it's a bit safer because there are no crystals to accidentally get into the eyes. But if your technician is skilled and careful, this really isn't an issue. Some people prefer diamond microdermabrasion because of the lack of crystals. Breathing in aluminum oxide crystals can be irritating, and can cause short-term breathing problems for very sensitive people. Because the microdermabrasion wand forms a closed-loop system, the crystals are generally being suctioned back into the machine and not spraying out into the air to be inhaled. Good practitioners limit their clients' exposure to the crystals, so don’t let this scare you away from having a treatment done. Effects Both forms of microdermabrasion work similarly. The skin is deeply exfoliated by the crystals or the diamond tip, so it feels softer and smoother immediately after treatment. The exfoliation also helps reduce the formation of comedones and brightens the complexion. The suction aspect of the treatment is as vital as the exfoliation itself (it isn’t just helpful in sucking away exfoliated skin.) Called negative pressure in pro-speak, the suction stimulates the dermis, causing a remodeling process to occur. Microdermabrasion triggers a wound response in the skin. As the skin repairs itself, it becomes thicker, smoother, more elastic, and looks healthier as a result. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with acne can be frustrating. Our free guide provides expert tips to help you take control. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Freedman Bruce, Rueda-Pedraza E, Waddell S. The epidermal and dermal changes associated with microdermabrasion. Dermatologic Surgery. 2001;27:1031-1034. Karimipour DJ, Kang S, Johnson TM, Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, Voorhees JJ, Fisher G. Microdermabrasion with and without aluminum oxide crystal abrasion: a comparative molecular analysis of dermal remodeling. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(3):405-10. Epub 2006 Jan 23. Kim HS, Lim SH, Song JY, Kim MY, Lee JH, Park JG, Kim HO, Park YM. Skin barrier function recover after diamond microdermabrasion. J Dermatol. 2009;36(10):529-33. Rajan P, Grimes PE. Skin barrier changes induced by aluminum oxide and sodium chloride microdermabrasion. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28(5):390-3. Shpall R, Beddingfield FC, Watson D, Lask GP. Microdermabrasion: a review. Facial Plast Surg. 2004;20(1):47-50. Continue Reading