How Do I Use My PMD Personal Microderm? The CURRENTBODY Guide

by Chloe Beveridge

Skincare • 04 September 2014

A lot of people have heard of microdermabrasion, but if you've never actually had it done at the salon it can often be a little bit mystifying (or sound deceptively unpleasant!) PMD Microdermabrasion offers you the chance to do your own microdermabrasion treatments safely at home, eliminating the expense in time and money of having to go to the salon.

Not sure whether it's for you, or have purchased and are thinking 'How Do I Use My PMD Personal Microderm?'
Watch our quick video guide or read the CURRENTBODY guide to PMD Microdermabrasion below to find out just how easy it is...:

Firstly, what is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion removes dead skin cells from the top layer/surface of the skin, called the stratum corneum. This layer of the skin often contains a lot of these dead skin cells, trapped by dirt and in pores. Many people exfoliate on a regular basis with scrubs that promise to remove these cells, but they're often not concentrated enough to have a noticeable effect on the removal of these cells.

So how is PMD Microdermabrasion different?

PMD Microdermabrasion takes exfoliation a step further - using uses aluminum oxide coated discs to buff away these dead cells, which are then essentially 'vaccumed up' to ensure they're carried away from the stratum corneum. No more missing spots, no more half-hearted, ineffective exfoliation - PMD enables the painless removal of potentially years of build-up on the skin - allowing brighter, healthier skin to shine through once more.

To sum up:
A brighter, smoother skin surface (which makes makeup application a dream!)
A reduced appearance of fine lines
The promotion of new cell growth and collage production - resulting in the reduction of scars from blemishes, acne and sun damage

So you've bought a PMD - what next?

Your lovely new PMD has arrived safely and quickly on your doorstep from CURRENTBODY.com. Before you get started, what do you need to know?

1. Watch your DVD! This comes in the box straight from the kind folks at PMD and it's vital that you watch it before getting to grips with your device. Just like regular exfoliating treatments (or any treatment for that matter) Microdermabrasion isn't something that you want to overdo, or do incorrectly.

2. Master it. Once you've watched it, get mastering the PMD technique with the training disc. This disc has no aluminum oxide crystals so it's there purely for you to practice the movement and speed you'll need to use.

3. Start with the blue disc. Aside from this practice disc, there are a number of different aliminum oxide crystal coated discs included in the box to cater for different skin types, areas and levels of exfoliation:

- Blue for sensitive skin.
- Green for medium skin.
- A larger disc and cap, which are perfect for use on the body.

You can also purchase:
- Grey discs for extra sensitive skin.
- Red discs that are coarser to give the highest level of exfoliation, for those who want to move on from green discs.

PMD Discs

We really recommend starting with the blue sensitive discs first after the practice disc, even if you have a good idea of your skin type and tolerance. If you find your skin is perfectly fine with this after a few treatments, then you can move on to the green.

Removing and Replacing the Cap and Disc

Pop your disc into position under the cap and pop the cap over it. Make sure your disc is in the right position before you start - all of these discs sit slightly under the cap, to allow for the pull of the vacuum to draw the area of skin to the disc at a safe pressure - if the disc isn't positioned correctly it could have the potential to be too harsh on your skin. Using your PMD should be painless - you can watch Emily use the treatment herself in the video above.

PMD Cap Opening and Exfoliating Disc

4. Switch the device on - the PMD plugs into the mains to ensure no loss of power during treatment. Warning - it is a little bit on the louder side!

5. Hold the skin taught, to allow for the correct amount of skin to be exfoliated by the device, and starting from a fixed area like the jawline, move across the skin in a quick, fluid, upwards motion. Be sure to keep the skin taught - if you don't, too much of the skin is drawn by the vacuum pull of the device, making it more difficult to move across the skin is a swift, easy motion.

How to use the PMD

6. Travel across each area in a controlled way, making sure to go over each area only once, quickly and gently 'swiping' the device across the face. It's a good idea to establish a routine for covering each area to make sure you don't overexfoliate by going over the same area twice in one session.

7. Follow up with the PMD Regeneration System or your favourite moisturiser/serum.

8. Repeat once every 7 days or so. PMD recommend not to use the device more often than once a week to avoid over-exfoliating.

And that's pretty much it! PMD uses exactly the same techniques as salons, but the beauty of it is that it can be done right at home. A smoother skin surface gives much better makeup application, with far better staying power and a much smoother look. With regular treatments it can reduce pores and fine lines (dead skin cells settle in fine lines making them more prominent), and because it promotes cell renewal it's had great results on people with scarring, uneven skin tone or other skin damage such as age spots.

But enough from us - we want to hear what you think of your PMDs! You can send us a review at the PMD product page, tweet us @CurrentBody or let us know how you're getting on (as well as any questions you might have) in the comments below.

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