Both microneedling and microdermabrasion are used to improve skin texture and coloration, but there are a few key differences. Microneedling, as described above, penetrates through the upper layer of the skin to stimulate greater collagen production from the inside out, essentially producing a ‘skin remodeling’ effect.
Microdermabrasion, on the other hand, is more like a powerful exfoliation technique. An abrasive device helps shed the top layer of your skin in targeted areas, This is oftentimes made up of dead or dying skin cells on the skin’s surface. However, since microdermabrasion only targets this top layer of your skin, it may not be as effective as microneedling for reducing the appearance of deeper scars, wrinkles, or pockmarks.