Today we’re going to talk about a topic that has bothered me since I was 14: acne marks. They’ve been the bane of my existence for over 15 years and a huge reason I got into makeup in the first place. As soon as I hit that wonderful age all of us ladies do, my skin went haywire and has been perpetually oily and breakout-prone. I also have the type of skin that likes to cherish the memory of its time together with my old blemishes – whether I picked at them or not. Now that I’m in my 30s, the breakouts have slowed down (slightly… I’m still an oily mess; although I do think it helps keep me younger-looking lol), but the scars still haunt me. So I want to share with you how to fade acne scars at home in the most cost-efficient way possible (that I’ve found thus far)…
About three months ago, I went to see my dermatologist for my quarterly facial appointment. While there, the aesthetician also performed a diamond tip microdermabrasion treatment because I was complaining about my obnoxious old acne marks. She knows I already use Vitamin C products, AHAs and BHAs (as well as Retin A) to help expedite the process, but my skin is stubborn. I told her I used to get microderm treatments back in 2007 before I graduated college – in hopes of clearing up my skin before I thought I would land some amazing Entertainment News Reporter Job amidst the precipice of a massive economic recession (silly me). Back then, the microderm treatment was done with blasted crystals onto my face with a little vacuum tool. It was sort of annoying because you’d leave the office with sand all over your face, basically. I stopped going every four weeks because it was really expensive and I just graduated college without a job.
Fast forward to that facial appointment three months ago. My aesthetician told me that most offices now use a diamond tip microdermabrasion tool because it’s less messy and more effective. I left my appointment feeling pretty fabulous. My skin not only felt and looked smoother, but any minor fine lines that were starting to creep up were basically gone. I was now on the hunt for a similar tool I could use at home.
Ironically, a few days later, I attended a fellow blogger’s beauty event at Neiman Marcus and happened to see this at-home diamond tip microdermabrasion tool by a brand, Trophy Skin. The sales lady showed me how it worked and I was shocked that it looked EXACTLY like the tool my aesthetician used in-office. Of course, I went home that night and researched the shit out of it myself and then emailed the brand (whose office is out of TX, too). They kindly sent me a Rejuvaderm to try out and share my experience with my readers after a few months of use.
I’m really happy to report I LOVE this tool!
Before I get into the nitty-gritty of how it works, results, etc… let me just tell you for research purposes, I also ordered the ever-popular-blogger/vlogger-saturated PMD machine to compare. It’s no comparison. The PMD machine is really loud, feels cheap and I can see how it may be a little abrasive for those new to microdermabrasion. I also didn’t think it was very hygienic. The buffing discs have no way of being cleaned and you’re expected to use the same disc for 3-4 uses (dead skin on it and all). I returned it after two uses when I was just grossed out.
The founders of Trophy Skin own/owned a well-known medispa here in Texas and loved the way microdermabrasion made their clients look. They decided it would be helpful not just for their clients, but customers everywhere, to get extremely similar results at home for a fraction of the cost.
In-office microdermabrasion is often recommended to be done ever 2-6 weeks (depending on your skin type) and most clients start to see visible results after 4-6 treatments. Clearly, this can start to add up if you spend ~$99+/treatment (standard derm/spa prices).
Trophy Skin makes three different versions of at-home kits, depending on your needs and budget. The fanciest kit is the MicrodermMD, middle-ground is RejuvadermMD, and the most affordable is the MiniMD. Prices start at $99 (hello…. so the cost of 1 treatment at a spa and you have a tool at home to use whenever).
I chose to try the middle-priced option, RejuvadermMD ($199). This is the model I saw at Neiman Marcus and felt comfortable that its power and features would meet my needs. TrophySkin.com says that the Rejuvaderm is a:
lightweight and portable glow-getter uses a high tech combo of diamond exfoliation and gentle suction to buff away dead skin cells, revealing the radiant, glowing skin that sits just below the surface. RejuvadermMD safely and effectively reduces the appearance of fine lines, age spots, sun damage, and mild scarring at a fraction of the cost of in-office treatments! Toss it in your purse, gym bag, or travel case (along with the power adapter) for salon-quality treatments anywhere, anytime! Safe for all skin types including sensitive skin.
It has four suction levels, starting with very mild to deep (you can even use this on your chest, hands, etc. if you suffer from sunspots or other discolorations). It includes an extraction tip (OMG, this is so gross yet so satifying – it’s like a Biore pore strip on steroids – you’re basically vacuuming your pores out). It also has an infusion tip to help deeply push serums into the skin post-treatment. Each time you use the tool, you replace the filters in the vacuum tip and the kit includes 50 filters (essentially, 50 uses).
Rejuvaderm came with a very helpful instructional book that made my first treatment easy and not scary at all. I didn’t burn my face off or give myself any hickeys (a fear of mine when you think of putting a vacuum suction tip on your face… let’s be honest). The entire process of running the diamond tip across your skin takes no more than five minutes in the evening after you wash your face on completely dry skin.
When you finish your treatment, you should use an old toothbrush to dust off the diamond tip and replace the filter with a new one immediately. After a few uses, you can deep-clean the diamond tip with a jewelry cleaning machine to get it back in top shape. You can even bring it to a jewelry store and have them do it! After about six months, they recommend replacing the diamond tip. They’re available for purchase on the site for $35.
*My special ‘microderm‘ hack: after I use the tool, I rinse my face off and apply a facial mask – usually a sheet mask or hydrating mask. I feel it’s the best time to get the mask benefits when your skin is super buffed to perfection!
So, I totally regret not having a better ‘before’ photo to show you (although, let’s all take a look at what was going on with my brows here… I was growing those babies out to get professionally shaped), but I think you can tell a difference! My skin looks brighter and softer, pores appear smaller, and the spots are MUCH lighter (barely noticeable anymore). I use my Rejuvaderm once a week (Wednesdays) and use the extraction tip 2x a month on my nose.
(this was three months ago – early June 2016, no makeup on getting a makeover at the mall hating my face LOL)
(This was taken today in natural light after I woke up. Thank goodness I got those brows taken care of.)
I have literally never left my house without some sort of face makeup on since I was 14. Even if it was just a little powder. I’d say after a couple more months of use, I’ll feel 100% comfortable going out – which is really amazing and makes me very happy. I also barely think about those forehead fine lines I was noticing three months ago.
…now, if we could only find some miracle-worker for my hereditary dark circles 😛
Using this tool, combined with my extremely diligent skin care routine, has given me the best skin of my life (well, except when I was a fetus, probably).
If you want to try one of Trophy Skin’s microderm products, I don’t have a special code or anything (this post isn’t sponsored… I just literally am obsessed with perfecting my skin and understand how traumatizing it can be), but GOOGLE Trophy Skin coupon codes. I’ve seen everything from $10 off to 15% off your order. I also know that as of today, if you go to their site and sign up for their newsletter/emails, you get 20% off your first purchase (completely worth it).
I hope this long post helps you in your quest for bettering your skin and how to fade acne scars at home! If you ever have any questions or just simply want to vent about how annoying it is to be a female and have to deal with our fluctuating hormones/skin woes, don’t hesitate to reach out to me 😉
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-Steffanie
