Are you crazy? Would you also drill your teeth and fill your own cavities? These are harsh chemicals. You can seriously damage/burn your skin.

I think people should leave it up the professionals, and give Olay Regenersit a try.

LOL!!!

What kind of chemicals do you think im using on myself?? The most chemicals I put on my skin is Philosphy's Soul Owner!!

The "aluminum oxide" crystals arent as scary as they sound, theyre just fine grains, smaller than sand, that act as an exfoliant. Check the ingredients of any QUALITY home microdermabrasion kit, and it most likely will list "aluminum oxide crystals" as the main ingredient.

Here's a snippet from the "Neutrogena's Advanced Solutions" description on drugstore.com~

The Advanced Solutions™ Micro-Oxide Crystallized Cream contains the same aluminum-oxide crystals used by dermatologists and salon professionals for professional level surface cellular renewal.

Here's a snippet from www.powerpeel.com~

"Aluminum Oxide is the perfect abrasive medium for microdermabrasion. Because it is inert, it does not cause any skin reaction. It is a hard, stable, crystalline sand-like material, making it the perfect exfoliant. And it has the added benefit of being absorbent."

And from www.skinforlife.com~

Aluminum Oxide Crystals - Skin For Life crystals (aluminum mineral oxide ) have extraordinary qualities, and because of their shape and hardness, deliver a more efficient exfoliation. These sharp crystals are made of aluminum oxide (A1203), the second hardest naturally-occurring material (next to diamonds). They are used in the production of emery boards because of their abrasive abilities.


So, mixing these crystals with a natural lotion from Alba Botanica or even using Palmers Cocoa Butter, which I sometimes use as well, doesnt sound too dangerous to me. Youre supposed to gently rub for about a minute in each area. Have you ever seen someone come out of a professional spa microdermasbrasion appointment? Its not pretty. The skin is VERY red, and they slather the sunscreen on you because your skin is very sensitive after.

I hope you learned something!

--Shannon

how long does a jar of crystals last you, with regular use?

No, I hope YOU learn something. You shouldn't go around advising people to buy professional grade medical equipment off the internet! It’s unnecessary, and even dangerous. They featured clips on the news of people, okay, WOMEN, who bought this stuff online and suffered serious injuries from ‘at home skin treatment disasters’, including 1st or 2nd degree burns, rashes, scabs, and ugly scars on their faces, which is a bad place to have these types of lesions.

Why would I waste money on special "aluminum oxide crystals" anyway? That sounds like something I used in the lab. Why would I put it on my face? If a grainy exfoliant is what I want, then right in my kitchen is a magical, mythical substance known as… common table sugar. Iodized table salt, baking soda, diluted lemon juice, and aspirin tablets dissolved in a few drops of hot water also work. They’re safer, cheaper, and readily available, but can still burn.

Usually, when I wash my face, I like to wet a washcloth with hot water, wring it out, and then let it sit on my face for a few minutes. The heat, steam, and small amount of moisture are usually enough to soften the skin and loosen the dead skin cells, and then I buff them away with the washcloth using a circular motion. My face is very soft. Besides, exfoliation should be thought more of as just ‘maintenance’. Something to be done carefully once per week, otherwise irritation can occur.

Rubellite:
Your method sounds like it is working for you. Congrats!

Avecdelune:
I've had my jar of crystals for like 5 months probably. I just bought a little one and it was probably around 5 dollars.

I dont know why this person is getting so worked up. S/he must be very confused about what im talking about. Its like grains of sand, not some crazy chemical that is going to burn holes in the skin!!!! Dang!!!

I understand why rubellite is upset, I think. So many women (especially us suffering from kp) are so eager to find cures, and we constantly switch from product to product, using them desperately trying to find results. I can see why that would be a problem for crystals like these, since they are "professional grade", and scrubbing too often or too hard and vigorously could definitely cause damage to your skin.
Since the world today seems to be obsessed with perfection, especially perfect skin, having a woman (who really didn't have any skin problems to begin with) try these and overdo it, well, that could be a problem. It's like those ridiculous looking people who use way too much self tanning lotion. But aluminum oxide crystals are a little more extreme.

I guess what it all comes down to is: do your research before starting a new product on your skin, and start slowly and gently at first to make sure you don't have a bad reaction or cause any damage.

Yes, be careful when using home microdermabrasion.

I am careful not to over-exfoliate, and all i'm saying is this worked for me. Thought I would just share this with you guys, I didnt know it was going to make anyone upset.

Im grateful to those who share their ideas on this board, it has given me alot of ideas and my KP is 85% better today than before I found this board, thanks to you guys. I dont think you should be attacking someone for trying to help YOU.

To those of you that share your awesome ideas, thank you, truly.