By Basil Russo, Founder, Bar Beauty Medical, 46 Fort York Blvd, CityPlace Toronto. Reviewed by Julia Barabas, Medical Aesthetician and Glow Specialist.
Microdermabrasion is a gentle exfoliation that buffs away the very top layer of your skin. At Bar Beauty Medical in CityPlace we do it with a diamond-tipped wand on our HydraBrasion machine, as one step of the Hydrabrasion Deluxe facial: $170 for 60 minutes. It isn’t sold as a separate appointment. You get the microdermabrasion, the extractions and the serum in the same visit.
Book the Hydrabrasion Deluxe → See facial prices →
The short version
- Microdermabrasion only works on the top layer of skin, which is why there’s no real downtime.
- There are two kinds. Fine crystals are sprayed on and vacuumed off, or a diamond-tipped wand does the buffing while suction lifts the loose skin away. Ours is the diamond tip.
- It can leave skin smoother and brighter, but the effect fades, so most people do a series and then keep it up.
- The American Academy of Dermatology says it won’t treat acne scars, and it doesn’t reach deep wrinkles or loose skin.
- With us it’s part of the Hydrabrasion Deluxe facial, $170 for 60 minutes.
What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion uses a hand-held tool to gently sand away the outermost layer of skin, the dead cells that sit on the surface. Suction lifts the loosened skin and debris away at the same time. It can be done on the face, neck, chest, back and hands.
There are two ways to do it. Crystal microdermabrasion shoots tiny crystals onto the skin through a tube and vacuums them back up through the same tube. Diamond microdermabrasion uses a wand with a diamond-tipped head that buffs and vacuums at the same time, so there are no loose crystals.
Ours is the diamond kind. The machine is the HydraBrasion PRO, made by Ecleris and sold in Canada by LumaPharm. It holds a Health Canada medical device licence (Class II, licence 107619), listed under the manufacturer’s product name, MiniVac+ Hydrodermabrasion (made by Ecleris).
Microdermabrasion, Hydrabrasion and HydraFacial: what’s the difference?
These names get mixed up all the time, so here’s the plain version. Microdermabrasion is the exfoliation on its own. Hydradermabrasion, which we call Hydrabrasion, pairs crystal-free microdermabrasion with a serum delivered under suction. In a small 2008 study, 20 women were split into two groups: six hydradermabrasion sessions improved the skin, while the same serum applied by hand made no detectable change.
HydraFacial is a brand of hydradermabrasion machine. We don’t use that brand. Our facial runs on the HydraBrasion PRO.
| Treatment | What it does | At Bar Beauty Medical | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microdermabrasion | A diamond tip buffs the surface while suction lifts the loose skin away | The exfoliation step of the Hydrabrasion Deluxe | Included in the $170 |
| Hydrabrasion (hydradermabrasion) | Exfoliation, extractions under suction and a serum infusion | Hydrabrasion Deluxe facial, 60 minutes | $170 |
| Préime DermaFacial | Five handpieces. One of them, VibroX, is a microdermabrasion handpiece with vibration and red LED light | Signature DermaFacial with all five handpieces | $450 |
| Dermaplaning | A sterile surgical blade lifts off dead skin cells and fine facial hair | Dermaplaning | $200 |
| Chemical peel | Uses chemicals to exfoliate, and can go deeper than microdermabrasion | Chemical peel facials | From $240 |
If you’re weighing up brands and machines, our HydraFacial vs Préime comparison goes into more detail.
What microdermabrasion can help with, and what it can’t
Treat big promises with caution. An evidence review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found microdermabrasion can improve uneven skin contour, but that its role in treating pigment problems and acne is limited. The American Academy of Dermatology describes the results as temporary.
| Your concern | Is microdermabrasion a good fit? |
|---|---|
| Dull, rough-feeling skin | Yes. After a series, people usually notice smoother skin and a brighter complexion. |
| Uneven tone, age spots, mild sun damage | It can help a little. Expect a modest change, not a reset. |
| Blackheads and enlarged pores | It can make them less noticeable for a while, especially paired with the extractions in the facial. |
| Melasma | It can be one part of a plan, usually not the whole plan. See melasma treatment. |
| Acne scars | Not as a scar treatment. The American Academy of Dermatology says it won’t treat acne scars, though it can even out skin tone alongside a real scar treatment such as microneedling. |
| Deep wrinkles or deep scars | No. These need deeper treatments than surface exfoliation. |
| Loose or sagging skin | No. It only touches the surface. See skin tightening. |
| Active, inflamed acne | Talk to us first, especially if you’re on acne medication. See acne treatment. |
How many sessions do you need?
One session leaves skin feeling softer, but the change is small and it fades. The American Academy of Dermatology says most people need a series, booked weekly, every two weeks or monthly, and that most patients have between 5 and 16 treatments. Cleveland Clinic describes one to four treatments a month to reach the result you want, then monthly visits to keep it.
We’ll suggest a schedule once we’ve seen your skin. Most people can have another treatment a week later, though some need a few weeks to settle first.
What happens during your Hydrabrasion Deluxe
- We cleanse your skin and look at what it needs that day.
- The diamond tip goes over your face in light passes while suction lifts the loosened skin away. You may feel a light sanding or scratching sensation and some suction. It usually isn’t painful.
- Extractions under suction clear blackheads and congested pores. If you have milia, we take those out too at no extra cost, though not on the eyelid itself or along the lash line.
- Serum is infused into the skin, followed by a hydrating mask and a facial massage.
The appointment is 60 minutes. It’s done by our medical aestheticians, Julia Barabas, Vivian Temesvari and Elizabeth Naranjo. Meet the team.
Downtime, side effects and aftercare
There’s no recovery time. Your skin may look pink or red and a little swollen afterwards, a bit like windburn, and that usually settles within a day or two. Less often, skin can bruise, burn, sting, or become very sensitive to sunlight for a while. Those settle on their own.
If you tend to get dark marks after a pimple or a scrape, tell us before we start. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that people prone to those marks have a greater chance of new dark spots.
- Use a moisturizer.
- Wear sunscreen every day. Freshly exfoliated skin can be more sensitive to the sun, and sun protection helps the results last.
- Call us if the treated skin bleeds, blisters, or stays swollen for more than a day or two.
Who should wait or check first
- You’ve taken isotretinoin in the past 6 months. That’s the prescription pill for severe acne. The American Academy of Dermatology says the risk of complications, including scarring, is higher, and you may need to wait.
- You have a mole or spot that’s growing, bleeding or changing. Have a doctor look at it first.
- You scar easily.
- You get cold sores, rashes, eczema or psoriasis. Mention it when you book.
- You have acne or use acne medication. Tell us so we can plan around it.
Is microdermabrasion safe for darker skin?
The American Academy of Dermatology says the procedure is safe for all skin colours. The thing to watch is dark marks after irritation: if your skin tends to darken after a breakout or a scrape, the chance of new dark spots is higher. Tell us at the start so we can adjust the treatment.
Microdermabrasion prices in Toronto at Bar Beauty Medical
| Treatment | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Hydrabrasion Deluxe, 60 minutes, includes diamond-tip microdermabrasion | $170 |
| Préime Signature DermaFacial, all five handpieces including VibroX | $450 |
| Dermaplaning | $200 |
| Chemical peel facial | From $240 |
Prices are in Canadian dollars, from our booking system, checked October 12, 2026. Everything else is on our price list, and our consultations are free.
We’re at 46 Fort York Blvd in CityPlace, Toronto, ON M5V 3Z3. Call 416-923-1200, get directions, or book online.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer microdermabrasion in Toronto?
Yes. Our diamond-tip microdermabrasion is part of the Hydrabrasion Deluxe facial at 46 Fort York Blvd in CityPlace. It’s $170 for 60 minutes.
Can I book microdermabrasion on its own?
No. It’s one step of the Hydrabrasion Deluxe facial, which also includes extractions and a serum infusion.
How much does microdermabrasion cost at Bar Beauty Medical?
$170, as part of the Hydrabrasion Deluxe facial. Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Is microdermabrasion the same as a HydraFacial?
No. HydraFacial is a brand of hydradermabrasion machine, which pairs crystal-free exfoliation with serum. We don’t use that brand. Our Hydrabrasion facial uses the HydraBrasion PRO with diamond tips.
Does microdermabrasion hurt?
Usually not. You may feel a light sanding or scratching sensation and some suction from the wand.
How many microdermabrasion sessions will I need?
Most people need a series. The American Academy of Dermatology says most patients have between 5 and 16 treatments, booked weekly, every two weeks or monthly. The results are temporary, so follow-up visits keep them going.
Is there downtime after microdermabrasion?
No. Your skin may be pink or slightly swollen for a day or two, and most people can have another treatment a week later.
Does microdermabrasion get rid of acne scars?
No. The American Academy of Dermatology says it won’t treat acne scars, but it can even out skin tone alongside a scar treatment. Microneedling is one of the treatments used for acne scars.
Can I have microdermabrasion after taking isotretinoin?
Tell us first. The American Academy of Dermatology says taking it within the past 6 months raises the risk of complications, including scarring, and you may need to wait.
Is microdermabrasion safe for darker skin?
The American Academy of Dermatology says it’s safe for all skin colours. If your skin tends to darken after irritation, the chance of new dark spots is higher, so tell us before we start.
Who does microdermabrasion at Bar Beauty Medical?
Our medical aestheticians, Julia Barabas, Vivian Temesvari and Elizabeth Naranjo.
Book the Hydrabrasion Deluxe → Call 416-923-1200
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology, Microdermabrasion: FAQs
- American Academy of Dermatology, Microdermabrasion: Overview
- American Academy of Dermatology, Acne scars: Consultation and treatment
- Cleveland Clinic, Microdermabrasion, medically reviewed
- Health Canada, Medical Devices Active Licence Listing, licence 107619 (MiniVac+ Hydrodermabrasion)
- Sinclair, Préime DermaFacial: the five technologies (VibroX handpiece)
- Freedman BM. Hydradermabrasion: an innovative modality for nonablative facial rejuvenation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008;7(4):275-80. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00406.x
- Karimipour DJ, Karimipour G, Orringer JS. Microdermabrasion: an evidence-based review. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;125(1):372-377. doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181c2a583
- Prices: Bar Beauty Medical booking system, checked October 12, 2026
This page is general information, not a diagnosis.
Questions about this treatment?
Ask us anything before you book. Consultations are free, and we will tell you honestly if a treatment is not right for you.