The Problem

Let's face it - the health/cosmetic/beauty industry is booming, and as with all booms, it can draw some very shady characters. Surely not every one of the countless microdermabrasion home systems on the market today can live up to their promises?

After all, can a $30 system really rival a $150 professional treatment? An important fact to keep in mind when looking at home systems is that they were never designed to beat out professional-grade treatments on a one to one basis. It is the classic tale of the tortoise versus the hare - while a home system will take you longer to get your desired results, steady day after day application can win the race in the long run (especially if you're like I am and have a hard time consistently making appointments for anything!).

So, keeping that difference in mind, we will help you sidestep the pitfall products and bring home the gems! First, we'll look at common weaknesses in home microdermabrasion systems and then conclude with some systems that overcome them.

Common Weaknesses

The applicator, the applicator... the applicator! Are you getting it? The number one biggest flaw in systems is... you guessed it... the applicator. When it's difficult to apply a microdermabrasion cream, it's difficult to use the system. Period. That goes without saying, but a second problem occurs when the unit ineffectively applies the microdermabrasion cream, giving you underwhelming results.

A good example of a poor applicator is the unit included in the HoMedics Microdermabrasion Total Facial Care package. Many users have had to replace the unit (fortunately still under warranty) in the first month. Others have complained of vibration or premature loss of charge. Another common problem is ineffective microdermabrasion cream that washes the face more than it exfoliates it. The only way to get that youthful glow that we all desire is to sand away the dead, dull cells on top!

Products that Glow

I've probably got you scared to try any home microdermabrasion system by now. But the good news is there are some real gems out there. If you are looking for a reliable lower end system that will give you good long-term results, Neutrogena's Microdermabrasion System is nothing spectacular but will get the basic job of daily skin renewal done.

If you are looking for a mid-range system, go with the Dermanew Facial Rejuvenation System. This is a solid system and will run you around $70 - about twice the price of an economy package. I really like that Dermanew adds antioxidants to their exfoliating cream - creating a solid one, two punch for skin care. Now, if you want results with a capital "R", then Youthful Essence by Susan Lucci is for you.

While you know without saying it's the most expensive of the three (quality equals more money), the results are truly gorgeous, and better yet they renew your exfoliating cream automatically every 3 months. This system is well-thought out from every angle, but it truly shines when it comes to the excellent resurfacing tool - which is now completely waterproof. A fantastic system for the home microdermabrasion savvy.

Nathan Warren owns and operates http://www.microderm-abrasion-systems.com - Microdermabrasion