TESTER: January

TESTING: L'OREAL DERMO-EXPERTISE REFINISH MICRO-DERMABRASION KIT $24.99

SKIN: COMBINATION, DARK SPOTS

L'Oreal Results: January says: "I really only noticed a difference in the actual feel of my skin really and not in the look of it... My skin is kind of oily and it did help with that. I've got to admit, I didn't feel as oily and my makeup didn't look at slippery."

Skin Expert Nicole Flesher, John Robert's Spa says: "With African American skin, acne scars can turn dark brown... I don't see a huge difference in January's skin but I also don't feel January needed that much."

AFTER Microderm: January says: "I see a slight difference in my cheek area definitely. I see a difference in the dark spots. Now, the darker marks would take multiple treatments... but I think it looks good. It looks smoother and it certainly feels smoother."

OVERALL ASSESSMENT: "Microdermabrasion feels good. It feels like a cat licking your face, but an angry cat. But there was significant change in the actual look on the side treated with microdermabrasion. But I think if I continued with L'Oreal, it will do what it says it is going do because it was working. "

TESTER: Brenda

TESTING: GARNIER NUTRITIONISTE SKIN RENEW REGENERATING MICRO-POLISH KIT $16.99

SKIN: NORMAL, FINE LINES

Garnier Results: Brenda says: "With the product, I have noticed the lines are noticeably better. And up towards the top of mouth area, the line became a lot fainter and even the lines around my brow became fainter. I didn't notice any difference in the texture of my skin.

Skin Expert Nicole Flesher, John Robert's Spa says: "There is a very big difference. This fine line (on the untreated side of her face) is significantly more noticeable. I agree that it did not do much for her pore size or any of the little bit of scarring that she had. However, I do feel it did give her a very tight feel through here."

AFTER Microderm: Brenda says: "I like the idea you can target specific areas especially around my eye because I know you can't do that with other products, I really like that. The microdermabrasion to me makes my pores look a little bit smaller.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT: "I think both the service and the product would benefit me, but I am a little indecisive."

TESTER: Julie

TESTING: NEUTROGENA ADVANCED SOLUTIONS AT HOME MICRODERMABRASION SYSTEM $39.99

SKIN: COMBINATION, PORES

Neutrogena Results: Julie says: "The first and second time I did the application, I could really tell some of the dead skin coming off but as the week went I really didn't see that much of a difference. I would say there's a slight difference - the skin feels a little bit softer. But I still have the same blemishes in certain areas there's still the same bumps.

Skin Expert Nicole Flesher, John Robert's Spa says: "Julie's skin elasticity looks a little tighter."

AFTER Microderm: Julie says: "I can tell that the pores are a little bit smaller than this side, shinier even. I would say there is a little bit of a difference. I think the microdermabrasion in the salon is more effective."

OVERALL ASSESSMENT: "While microdermabrasion is more effective, I really think it is up to the individual and what they're looking for, and what their skin type is."

TESTER: Tracey

TESTED: OLAY REGENERIST MICRODERMABRASION & PEEL SYSTEM $29.99

SKIN: NORMAL/COMBINATION, SLIGHT SCARRING

Olay Regenerist Results: Tracey says: "It did feel smoother. It felt like I had exfoliated really really well. It's a little bit redder and it did kind of burn and tingle. It took 2 days for that to subside and my skin looked brighter but more irritated. I think it worked but it was very abrasive for me."

Skin Expert Nicole Flesher, John Robert's Spa says: "I see a little bit of difference as far as shine... but I don't see a huge difference from her right side to her left side."

AFTER Microderm: Tracey says: "It feels very, very smooth. After the microdermabrasion, my skin looks more firm compared to (the other side treated Olay) looks a little spongy, whereas (the microderm treated skin) looks firm."

OVERALL ASSESSMENT: ""Definitely prefer the side that had microdermabrasion. It's easy, it's quick and it's not as abrasive. With the home treatment, I felt I got aggressive when I was using it at home. Whereas at the spa, the esthetician monitors and watches my skin's response. To me, for my skin the other stuff just burned too much."

WHAT:
Both at-home treatments and microdermabrasion are designed to exfoliate the skin.

COST:
Microdermabrasion: Costs about $75 per session at John Robert's Spa
At-home treatments: From $16.99 - $39.99 (of the products we tested)

HOW IT WORKS:
Microdermabrasion: Trained estheticians use a microderm machine to shoot aluminum oxide crystals onto the skin. The machine also suctions the skin at the same time. So exfoliation is two-fold. Estheticians can increase or decrease the level of exfoliation using the microdermabrasion machine and can target certain areas more accurately.
At-home treatments: Products depend on the consumer to apply exfoliation pressure yourself with your hands.

RESULTS:
Microdermabrasion: You can see immediate results in tone, spots and scarring.
At-home treatments: Works, but takes longer (sometimes week - month) to see similar results.

WHAT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS DERMATOLOGIST DR. ELMA BARON SAYS:
Moderation is everything. Dr. Baron says: "I worry that if someone becomes very aggressive (using at-home treatments), it might result in dryness of the skin. Anything used frequently can aggravate or cause dryness of the skin. I think that if your goal is to achieve some temporary clearing or you just want some extra cleaning of the skin and you're not looking at long term rejuvenating effects, I think (at-home products) are not bad. To rely on them to maintain your skin in the long run is probably not wise, because whatever (the products) are doing, they are doing it at a superficial level and is not really affecting the deeper layers of the skin."