Beauty: Skin Deep?

Whether it's acne, sun damage or just dull-looking skin, many men and women are looking for something that will rejuvenate their looks and give their faces a little extra "oomph." For many, the answer might lie in microdermabrasion. Basically, the procedure is a kicked-up version of exfoliation that, with repeated treatments, can decrease sun damage spots, melasma and light acne scars.{relatedarticles}

It can improve skin's quality by taking off dead skin to reveal fresh, healthy skin underneath. A dermatologist or esthetician may perform the procedure, which involves gently "sandblasting" the skin with crystals and "vacuuming" them up, along with dead skin cells, with a special machine. For optimal and long-lasting results, experts recommend three weekly treatments, followed by monthly sessions for up to a year. The price of microdermabrasion can vary depending on the provider, but prices average $150 per session. That means the yearly price for the treatment can top $1,800 or more.