Review: Enjoy the Benefits of Microdermabrasion at Home with PMD’s Personal Microderm Classic
If you’re fanatical about your skincare routine, then chances are you’ve heard of the benefits of microdermabrasion. For those new to the concept, microdermabrasion is an exfoliation and skin rejuvenation procedure that leaves your skin looking softer and brighter almost instantly. But, as brilliant as the treatment is, a professional microdermabrasion treatment, can set you back a few hundred Rand for each session, and splurging on regular in-salon treatments isn’t always feasible for many people.
Thankfully, PMD (Personal Microderm) has come to the rescue of your wallet and your skin with a home treatment option that many say rivals the professional treatment for a fraction of the cost. The Personal Microderm Classic tool offers skincare fanatics on a budget a way to take care of their skin and enjoy the exfoliation benefits of microdermabrasion in the comfort of their own homes. The nifty hand-held skincare tool offers a plug-and-play solution to many skincare woes and can help to even out skin tone and improve texture while also reducing the appearance of blemishes, dark spots, and enlarged pores.
PMD’s at-home tools have developed a bit of a cult following overseas, with thousands of women singing the praises of the devices online. The great news is, thanks to local distributor Sought After, PMD’s Personal Microderm tools (as well as a range of other exciting skincare tools) are now available in South Africa!
How does it work?
The PMD tool fits into the palm of your hand and allows for quick and easy microdermabrasion on any part of the body. The tool uses a combination of patented spinning discs embedded with aluminium oxide crystals and vacuum suction to remove dead skin and increase circulation.
According to PMD, its Personal Microderm tool is a lot more effective than normal exfoliating as it works to smooth the texture of the skin while also evening out skin tone. The patented aluminium oxide discs help remove dead, dull skin, fine lines, and wrinkles while the suction technology helps remove unwanted dead skin, making it the perfect combination in an at-home exfoliating device. Regular use of the tool results in great results as each treatment helps to stimulate new skin cells by triggering the skin’s natural healing process, which boosts collagen and elastin.
Using the PMD
The PMD Personal Microderm can be used once every week. It is important to wait about 7 days between each treatment to give your skin time to recover. Because the top layer of skin has been removed, this time between treatments allows the skin to recover and gives new skin cells time to generate.
The tool comes with a variety of discs that vary in intensity. The discs can be easily switched out to suit your desired treatment intensity and customise your treatment for your skin’s needs. This means even those with sensitive skin can use the Personal Microderm and see amazing spa-quality results! It’s easy to find the treatment perfect for your skin type because the discs are colour-coded and range from very sensitive to very coarse.
There’s also a white training disc included in the pack to help you learn how to use the tool safely and efficiently before embarking on your at-home microdermabrasion journey. It’s important to start with the white training disc when using the tool for the first time, and then slowly work your way up through the coarseness levels. Start by watching the PMD instruction video online and practising on your arm or leg before using the device on your face.
When using the PMD device on the face, start by cleansing your face and thoroughly drying the skin. Plug in the PMD device and begin with the white disc, holding the skin taut as you smoothly and gently glide the device across your skin in an upward motion. Work from the center of your face out to your hairline. Make sure you do not apply pressure and only do one pass per area. Do not stop or hover on one spot, this will help to alleviate added stress and prevent irritation.
Once you’re done treating the area sufficiently, you can apply a soothing facial spray, followed by serums and moisturiser. It’s recommended to use the machine at night as mild redness may occur after treatment and your skin will become more sensitive to the sun after exfoliation. PMD says regular use of the Personal Microderm device will help to significantly increase the absorption of your favourite skin serums moisturisers, and oils, giving you more bang for your buck with your favourite products. Using the machine before layering your skincare favourites will also result in an intense moisture boost for your skin as the product will be able to penetrate deeper into the skin. You should begin to see results after 8 -12 weeks of using the device religiously.
The great thing about the PMD tool is that it’s not just for use on the face. You can also use it to treat other areas of your body. Simply use the wider discs and bigger interchangeable suction cap to treat areas such as the neck, décolletage, hands, feet, and legs, and even the back of your arms.
They say the hands are the first areas to show signs of ageing, but with the PMD tool, you can say hello to youthful-looking hands with just one 3-minute treatment a week. And, because the PMD tool is an exfoliation wonder, it can even be used before applying fake tan to ensure even coverage and baby-soft skin. By removing that top layer of dead, dull skin, your sunless tan will sit more evenly and last even longer!
After you’re done using the device, be sure to rinse the cap and filter, and wipe down the black rubber O-ring. It’s that easy. You will also need to replace the discs after every 3-4 uses to ensure the best results. Keeping your personal microdermabrasion free from debris and replacing the disc when needed is the key to getting a high-powered treatment every week. A pack of 6 face and body discs can be purchased for R400 from Sought After as well.
My experience with the Personal Microderm Classic
After 2 months of using the Personal Microderm Classic, I am beyond impressed with the results. I was a little intimidated and afraid of using it at first, but after a few practice runs on my arm with the white disc I got the hang of the technique and my fear subsided. My skin was quite red after the first treatment using the device on my face, but the redness subsided after about 15 minutes. I was also careful to use a facial spray and soothing serum to calm my skin after the treatment. I would also recommend following up the treatments with a hydrating sheet mask to helps soothe the skin.
Those with acne-prone skin or clogged pores may experience breakouts after the first few treatments, as your skin becomes accustomed to the device and the regular treatment. I didn’t have any issues with this, but it is something to be aware of. It’s also interesting to note that many PMD fans have praised the device for being instrumental in helping them combat acne at home.
My skin is quite sensitive and reactive, and I had no problems using the PMD device. While many people credit the device for working wonders on their acne-prone skin, acne is not my biggest skin concern, but I was intrigued to use the device to improve the texture of my skin and combat dull, lack-lustre skin as well as the keratosis pilaris along my arms.
While PMD recommends weekly usage, I personally felt like this would be too much for my skin, so I started out with treatments every 10 – 14 days on my face. Professional microdermabrasion facials are usually only done about once a month, but keep in mind the professional machines are arguably more intense on the skin.
After just a few weeks of using the PMD my skin is softer, smoother, firmer, and has a youthful glow. The treatment takes just 3 minutes, and it’s truly amazing how great the results are. If you’re after a way to treat your skin on a regular basis and don’t have the budget or time for regular in-salon treatments, then the PMD tool is a great way to get brighter, more radiant skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles from the comfort of your own home. It’s also worked wonders on the texture of the skin on my arms and has even helped with my overly reactive and sensitive skin on my legs. I get horrible ingrown hairs after shaving and using this device has been a godsend to helping exfoliate my legs to prevent in-grown hairs.
The entry-level Personal Microderm Classic has one speed setting and ships with 6 classic face and body discs. The lightweight device, will set you back R3,180 from Sought After, which may seem like a lot but at about R500 per in-salon microdermabrasion treatment, this machine will pay for itself in just 6 months. After seeing the results on my skin, I can confidently say it is worth every penny and a great addition to any skincare routine at home.
For more information, check out the PMD South Africa Facebook page and visit the Sought After online store.
