The main difference between microdermabrasion and dermabrasion is the intensity of each treatment. Whereas microdermabrasion is a minimally-invasive procedure that removes the outer layer of skin cells, dermabrasion is a cosmetic surgery procedure where a dermatologist or plastic surgeon uses a specialized instrument to scrape the topmost layers of skin, not just dead cells. Both procedures result in healthier-looking skin and increased collagen growth.