Microdermabrasion Cost

Being a non-surgical procedure, microdermabrasion is cheaper than other skin rejuvenating procedures.

For example, the average cost of microdermabrasion around $100 per session (you may need several treatments for best results; while a laser skin resurfacing sessions can cost over $2,000.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Microdermabrasion?

If you have thought at all about getting microdermabrasion, you've probably wondered how much it costs. You may even have tried to do some research into the question, and been stymied by various sources or websites that tend to skirt around that particular issue. To some extent, this is part of their sales strategy-like a car salesman, they want a chance to talk to you in person and explain all of the benefits of their product to put you in a favorable state of mind before they give you the price. However, it is genuinely difficult to give an exact price for microdermabrasion, since the cost can vary widely depending on a number of factors. If you are just looking for ballpark figures to see if can afford the procedure, though, a good bet is to expect something between $75 and $200, depending on how complicated of a technique you want to use and how upscale the clinic is.

Why Does The Price Of Microdermabrasion Vary So Much?

The cost of any clinical procedure is dependent on a number of different factors. A few of the most common things that influence the price of microdermabrasion are listed below:

Techniques

Not all microdermabrasions are performed the same way. Some kinds of microdermabrasion require more expensive equipment or special training than others. If you choose a more complicated or cutting-edge procedure, chances are good some of that cost will be passed on to you.

For more information on the different techniques of microdermabrasion, see our "Techniques" page on this site.

Your Skin

If you have particularly sensitive skin or other complicating factors, the doctor may have to move more slowly or carefully in performing your microdermabrasion. If your procedure is too complicated, it may require more time than is normally allotted and you may need to pay for two time slots.

The Clinic You Choose

If the doctor you use doesn't have their own office but works out of a clinic, they may be required to pay rent or other fees, or the clinic may take a percentage of their earnings. Expect microdermabrasion prices to be higher at luxury hotels and upscale day spas then at a normal dermatologist's office.

Geography

It may seem weird, but the geographical area in which you get microdermabrasion performed can end up influencing your total cost. The reason for this is that facial rejuvenation and other cosmetic procedures are more popular in some parts of the country than in others. If you line in a place where there is high demand, you may end up paying more. The high cost of land in big cities can also make clinical procedures more expensive, since the offices the doctor uses will cost more to buy or rent.

The Doctor You Choose

The skill and experience level of the doctor or dermatologist you choose will also probably play a role in determining your final cost. If a doctor has several years of experience and consistently performs attractive work that is free of complications, then he or she will have an easier time getting clients and filling his or her schedule. When a doctor finds that he can easily keep his schedule full, he will often raise his prices.

On the other hand, doctors who are fresh out of their training, or who have had negative PR in the past, will often reduce their prices as a way of staying competitive. Even though they don't have the same good reputation, lower prices will often help them to attract new customers.

Are There Any Other Costs Associated With Microdermabrasion?

If you are considering microdermabrasion, you should be aware that the cost you are quoted for one treatment will probably not be all you'll end up spending. Your overall price may be affected by the following factors:

Number Of Treatments

One factor that can influence your final price is the number of treatments you require. Although many patients see improvement within the first one or two treatments, most dermatologists recommend getting several to maximize the results-up to ten, in some cases. You should schedule your treatments about two weeks apart to give your skin a chance to heal between each session.

If you would like to get several microdermabrasion treatments but are concerned about the cost, be sure to ask your clinic if they offer package deals-frequently if you buy five or ten sessions at once, you will get a discount. If you only need one or two sessions for very mild problems or for maintenance, it may even be possible to split a package with several friends to still get the discount.

Hidden Costs

As you consider whether or not you can fit microdermabrasion into your budget, you'll also want to check with your dermatologists about any hidden costs of the procedure before you decide whether or not you can afford it. Depending on the procedure being used, you may need special creams or gels for your skin before or after your surgery. Some dermatologists include the cost of the creams in their overall price, but others do not. If you are treating a large area, or getting several sessions to treat more serious problems, this cost can add up, so be sure to ask your doctor if you are expected to pay for them, and if so, how much they will cost you.

Upkeep

Finally, keep in mind that microdermabrasion is not a permanent treatment. Your skin is constantly renewing itself and sloughing off old tissues, so any improvements you make that only affect the surface of the skin are bound to fade away with time.

That being said, there is nothing wrong with just getting microdermabrasion for a special event such as a reunion, wedding, or vacation and then letting the effects fade, but if you are hoping to make a permanent change to your appearance, you will need to return for additional treatments every two or three months.

Is There Any Chance My Insurance Will Pay For Microdermabrasion?

Unfortunately, insurance companies almost never cover elective cosmetic procedures. They will occasionally pay for cosmetic procedures if they are meant to be reconstructive (for example, when a woman gets breast implants after mastectomy to treat cancer), but in nearly all cases microdermabrasion is too subtle to be useful in reconstructive surgery.

Nonetheless, it never hurts to ask. Your chances of getting your insurance company to agree to pay part of your expenses will be maximized if you can get your doctor on board-a letter from him or her explaining why the procedure is necessary for you, or why you should be an exception the their general policy, can sometimes tip the scales in your favor.

If Insurance Won't Cover The Cost Of My Procedure, Then How Should I Pay For It?

As with most things in life, the best way to get microdermabrasion is to pay for it up front. Paying out of pocket ensures that you really can afford the procedure, and eliminates interest or late fees on loans or credit cards. If you would like to get microdermabrasion but do not currently have the money, your best option is to re-examine your budget and look for ways to save up for the procedure. Since microdermabrasion is (relatively) cheap, chances are if you are willing to make some sacrifices you can save the money up fairly quickly.

However, in some circumstances, such as when you want to get it to prepare for an upcoming event, you may decide you can't wait. The simplest way to solve the cash flow problem is to put it on your credit card, but if you don't think you will be able to pay it off entirely in one or two months, you may want to reconsider. Credit card fees and interest add up very quickly from month to month, and if you can only afford a minimum payment even a modest expense can take years to pay off, and the total can easily be five or even ten times the original cost.

If you are concerned about putting your microdermabrasion treatments on a credit card, one other thing you can try is asking your doctor if he or she offers in-house financing. While this is somewhat more typical for larger and more expensive surgeries, if your doctor already has a system in place you may be able to make use of it. If not, you can try checking around at some local banks to see if you can get a loan to cover the cost.

If More Experienced Dermatologists Charge More For Their Services, Should I Find a Less Experienced One?

For many people today, money is a little tighter than they wish it was. Because of this, more and more people are searching for ways to save a little in every area of their life. Finding bargains on everyday items such as gas or paper towels can add up, and cutting costs on big-ticket items such as cars or vacations can save even more. Even so, though, it is generally not a good idea to blindly take the best deal you can find on cosmetic procedures.

Part of the reason for this has to do with your motivation for getting the procedure in the first place. Most people getting cosmetic procedures such as microdermabrasion are doing it for aesthetic reasons: they want to look better. If that is the case for you, you may want to think twice about going with the absolute cheapest doctor you can find. Everyone has heard one or two horror stories about the cosmetic surgery or procedure that got botched and left the patient looking even worse than before. While these instances are not common, the likelihood of something going wrong does increase the less experience a doctor has.

In addition to cosmetic problems, procedures performed by unskilled doctors also carry a higher risk of medical complications. While microdermabrasion is fortunately not as risky as some of the more invasive plastic surgeries, it nonetheless does carry a risk of infection, allergic reaction, or other problems. Doctors with years of training and practice not only know how to get you looking your best, they are also better at avoiding complications, and better equipped to deal with them if something does crop up.

In short, although saving money is a virtue, seeking a reduced price for microdermabrasion ceases to be cost effective if it fails to produce the changes you wanted, causes health complications, or means you need extra procedures to conceal the damage.

Of course this doesn't mean that you need to go to the most expensive doctor you can find, either-there are plenty of professionals out there who charge relatively modest fees but do good work. However, when you are shopping for your doctor, you should make sure you don't become so attached to a wonderful deal that you overlook a lack of qualification or any other problems in his or her past.