Our skin plays an important role in our health. It keeps our body temperature stable, and it keeps bacteria and other pathogens from entering. When our skin is weak or damaged, it can lead to infection and poor health.

A regular cleansing routine is the best way to keep your skin healthy. The daily removal of dead skin cells, debris, and excess sebum can help surface healthy skin and keep your pores clear. It is also a good idea to have a deep cleaning twice a year.

You can achieve this goal by having facials or microdermabrasion. If you have a particular skin problem, like age spots or wrinkles, you can try chemical peels and dermabrasion. However, the latter treatments require anesthesia, wound care and a recovery period.

Chemical peels use different acids to remove certain layers of the skin. As the skin continues to heal, a new and healthier layer of skin replaces the damaged one. Dermabrasion, however, uses an abrasive wand to remove the epidermis.

Microdermabrasion, on the other hand, is gentler than dermabrasion or chemical peels and does not require anesthesia or downtime. Which is why this cosmetic treatment can also help treat problems age spots and wrinkles without causing irritation.

This type of treatment also uses an abrasive wand, however, the process is much gentler than dermabrasion. It does not remove the epidermis, but it does slough off dead skin cells and damaged skin. The gentle nature of this procedure allows you to immediately return to your activities after having completed the session.

Some people prefer using a home microdermabrasion system instead of undergoing microdermabrasion. This way you can control the pressure and duration of your treatment. Home microdermabrasion systems are generally gentler than traditional microdermabrasion.

At-home microdermabrasion systems usually come accompanied with a small machine that produces the abrading action. Some systems even come with different attachments to produce different effects and include a special cream containing micro-crystals.

If you decide to use this type of treatment it's quite simple. All you need to do is apply the cream to the attachment head and turn on the machine. Some machines may or may not come with timers to help you control the amount of time your skin is abraded. When you are done, rinse off any of the remaining product.

Microdermabrasion creams are another good option. These creams not only contain the usual abrading micro-crystals that help abrade the skin, but they also contain soothing ingredients to help minimize any irritation or redness. You can either apply this cream with a hand held system or by using your hand.

Always follow up this treatment with a soothing moisturizer. It is also a good idea to use sunscreen before going outside.