Photo courtesy Avon.com
Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System ($28.00, Avon.com) claims to combine “increasing intensities of Dermatologist-Grade Polishers” with an “Advanced Skin Conditioner” to give a “whole new level” of “youthfully radiant ” skin. Yet, how effective is Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System? Does it really measure up to dermatologists’ polishers?
Similar only to a “superficial” dermatologist’s peel
According to this study in the journal Dermatological Surgery, microdermabrasion with aluminum oxide crystals (similar to those found in Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System) is “the equivalent of a superficial chemical peel” and is less effective than resurfacing with the CO2 laser or Er:YAG laser. Unfortunately, according to the text Photoaging, microdermabrasion from a dermatologist’s office comes from a high-pressure device that uses a self-contained vacuum to remove dirt and shed skin, so it is impossible to adequately compare Avon Clinical Advanced Dermabrasion System to a dermatologist’s microdermabrasion, even if both use aluminum oxide crystals. (For the record, dermatologists may alternatively use sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate.)
How effective is microdermabrasion with alumina from a dermatologist?
In this study from Dermatological Surgery, fourteen patients aged 40-75 underwent microdermabrasion once every 2 weeks over the course of 12 weeks at a dermatologist’s office. By patient assessment, there was a statistically significant improvement in skin’s roughness, mottled appearance, and overall appearance. There was also some improvement in age spots. However, acne scars were not improved with the treatment, and required deeper resurfacing. These facts are confirmed in the book Photoaging, which states that microdermabrasion may be used to treat “photoaged skin, comedonal acne, lengitines, striae (stretch marks), scars, palmoplantar keratoderma, Darier’s disease, and actinic keratoses.” A second study in Dermatological Study also found improvements in oiliness, thickness, and dilated pores.
Use with sunscreen!
Although this product contains moisturizing ingredients, it is not to be used alone. Because dermabrasion makes the skin more sensitive to the sun, use the product at night, and wear a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen during the day. Otherwise, you could be aging your skin more.
Not a great moisturizer
Although this is an excellent scrub, the excellence of the moisturizer was lost a bit in the “2-in-1” deal. The moisturizer namely does not contain any proven anti-aging or repairing ingredients like peptides, retinol, hydroquinone, or sunscreen. It is hydrating, with glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone and cetyl alcohol, amongst other ingredients. It is also somewhat soothing, with bisabolol. According to the text Marine Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods, corallina officialis extract is a calcified red algae that contains the carotenoid pigment zeaxanthin, so the moisturizer may have a bit of antioxidant properties here. Crataegus monogina fruit extract also contains carotenoids, and has antioxidant properties substantiated by Nahrung/Food, amongst others.
Overall…
A great scrub for your face, neck, upper chest and hands. It may help with stretch marks as well. Used twice a week in conjunction with sunscreen, it should resurface the skin superficially and make it appear more smooth. However, do not expect the results of microdermabrasion from a dermatologist’s office. Also, don’t forget to wear sunscreen religiously while using this product! Overall rating: 8/10 (good scrub)
Ingredients (courtesy Avon.com)
WATER/EAU
ALUMINA
POLYETHYLENE
DICAPRYLYL MALEATE
GLYCERIN
HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE
PEG-20 METHYL GLUCOSE SESQUISTEARATE
CETYL ALCOHOL
METHYL GLUCOSE SESQUISTEARATE
CORALLINA OFFICINALIS EXTRACT
CRATAEGUS MONOGINA FRUIT EXTRACT
BISABOLOL
PANTHENOL
DIMETHICONE
PHOSPHORIC ACID
CARBOMER
PETROLATUM
ACRYLATES COPOLYMER
LAURAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
SODIUM HYDROXIDE
DISODIUM EDTA
PHENOXYETHANOL
METHYLPARABEN
ETHYLPARABEN
PROPYLPARABEN
PARFUM/FRAGRANCE
MAY CONTAIN:
MICA
IRON OXIDES