Here is how to use the Michael Todd microdermabrasion tip: swap the dermaplaning blade on your Sonicsmooth for a Microsmooth diamond tip, cleanse and dry your face, pick a speed, hold the tip at a 45 degree angle starting near the hairline, and make short strokes that follow the contours of your face, one to three passes per area. Michael Todd Beauty recommends it once a week, as an in-between step a few days after your weekly dermaplaning session, not on the same day. If you want microdermabrasion with suction and pore extraction instead of a tip on your dermaplaning tool, that is a different device, the Sonic Refresher, covered further down.
What it is: Microsmooth is a diamond microdermabrasion tip that attaches to the Sonicsmooth in place of the blade. It buffs away dead skin with fine diamond particles and uses sonic vibration rather than suction.
Where to get it: two Microsmooth tips come in the box with the Sonicsmooth Pro+, and replacement two-packs are sold separately.
How often: once a week, as the brand puts it, an intermediate treatment between weekly Sonicsmooth sessions.
How: clean, dry skin, 45 degree angle, short strokes along the contours, one to three passes per area, then serum or moisturizer.
Not the same as the Sonic Refresher: that is Michael Todd’s standalone wet/dry microdermabrasion system with suction pore extraction and a mist. Different device, different steps.
Which Michael Todd microdermabrasion do you have?
Searches for “Michael Todd microdermabrasion” can mean either of two products, and the instructions are not interchangeable. Check this first.
Microsmooth tip
Sonic Refresher
What it is
A diamond microdermabrasion tip for the Sonicsmooth dermaplaning device
A standalone wet/dry sonic microdermabrasion and pore extraction system
How it exfoliates
Laser-cut diamond bits with sonic vibration, no suction
Diamond heads plus vacuum suction
Heads
One tip that swaps in for the blade, sold in two-packs
Coarse, fine and small fine diamond heads, plus three pore extraction heads
Extras
None, it rides on the Sonicsmooth
Nano mist for water or toner, 40 disposable filters, charging cradle
Speeds
The Sonicsmooth’s 3 speeds
Multiple speeds shown on an LCD
Brand’s frequency
Once a week, between weekly dermaplaning sessions
Once a week
Where it sells
In the Sonicsmooth Pro+ box, and as a two-pack on Amazon
Michael Todd Beauty’s own site
Best for
Anyone who already dermaplanes with a Sonicsmooth
Anyone who wants pore extraction and does not dermaplane
If you already own a Sonicsmooth Pro+, look in the box before you buy anything. The two Microsmooth tips are the small diamond-coated heads packed alongside the 16 dermaplaning blades.
The Microsmooth tips: diamond-coated heads that go on the Sonicsmooth in place of the blade. Image: Michael Todd Beauty.
How to use the Microsmooth microdermabrasion tip, step by step
Swap the blade for the tip. Remove the dermaplaning blade from the Sonicsmooth and attach a Microsmooth tip in its place. Make sure it is firmly seated before you turn the device on.
Cleanse with an oil-free cleanser. Rinse well and pat your face completely dry. The tip works on bare, dry skin, so skip oils and serums until the end.
Pick a speed. The Sonicsmooth has three. Start on the lowest setting the first few times and move up only if your skin is comfortable.
Hold the tip at a 45 degree angle. Start near the hairline and work down the face in sections.
Use short strokes that follow your contours. Forehead, cheeks, along the jaw and chin. Keep the tip moving and let it glide rather than pressing it in.
One to three passes per area. That is the brand’s range. One pass is plenty for a first session.
Follow with serum or moisturizer. Freshly exfoliated skin is the point where your skincare goes on most evenly. The Pro+ listing also advises holding off on makeup right after using the device.
Clean the tip. Take it off the device, rinse it under warm water, and let it air dry before you put it away.
The blade and the diamond tip do different jobs. The blade shaves off peach fuzz and the top layer of dead skin. The Microsmooth tip only buffs. Michael Todd Beauty positions Microsmooth as the step in between weekly Sonicsmooth sessions, and its how-to page suggests using the Microsmooth tips two to three days after you dermaplane. Its support article puts the Microsmooth frequency at once a week.
A simple rhythm that follows the brand’s guidance:
Do not stack both on the same day. Two exfoliating steps back to back is the fastest way to end up red and tight. If your skin still feels sensitive from dermaplaning, skip the Microsmooth that week.
The video below walks through the Sonicsmooth Pro+ dermaplaning routine that the Microsmooth step builds on.
At Home Dermaplane Tutorial Using Michael Todd Beauty Sonicsmooth Pro+
Who should go slow or skip it
Sensitive skin: the brand says Microsmooth suits all skin types, including sensitive skin, and that the speed setting lets you adjust the intensity. The move is the lowest speed and a single pass.
Irritated, broken or sunburned skin, or an active breakout: work around those areas or wait until they settle.
A skin condition or prescription skincare: check with a dermatologist before adding any exfoliating tool. Michael Todd’s own Sonic Refresher guide says the same for anyone under a doctor’s care for a skin condition or with very sensitive skin.
How to use the Michael Todd Sonic Refresher instead
If the device in your hands has a mist reservoir and suction heads, it is the Sonic Refresher. The quick start guide lays out a five-step routine, each step using the same glide technique.
Prep: charge it fully before the first use, test on a small area, cleanse and pat dry, and put a new disposable filter under the head.
Renew, coarse tip: short upward and outward strokes on the face. Keep it away from the thin skin around the eyes and lips.
Reset, small tip: the tight spots, around the nose, mouth lines, crow’s feet, between the brows and the forehead.
Refine, fine tip: a final polish before skincare or makeup.
Remove, pore extraction tip: suction lifts out congestion. Keep it moving the whole time.
Rehydrate: fill the reservoir with water or toner and mist. No oil-based products in the mister.
Technique for every step: work in one to two inch sections, hold the skin taut with your free hand, start on low speed, and begin with two to four passes, moving up to four to six once your skin is used to it. Never hold it still on one spot. The brand’s support article puts the Sonic Refresher at once a week. The guide also notes the device contains magnets, so keep it away from pacemakers and other implanted devices.
The Sonic Refresher does not show up on Amazon. It sells on Michael Todd Beauty’s site, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 3-year warranty listed on the page.
Which one to buy
You want dermaplaning and microdermabrasion in one tool: the Sonicsmooth Pro+. The two Microsmooth tips are already in the box. See the Sonicsmooth Pro+ on Amazon.
How do you use the Michael Todd microdermabrasion tip?
Swap the blade on your Sonicsmooth for a Microsmooth tip, cleanse with an oil-free cleanser and pat dry, choose a speed, then hold the tip at a 45 degree angle starting near the hairline and make short strokes along the contours of your face, one to three passes per area. Finish with serum or moisturizer.
How often can you use Michael Todd microdermabrasion?
Michael Todd Beauty recommends once a week for both the Microsmooth tip and the Sonic Refresher. For Microsmooth, the brand places it between weekly dermaplaning sessions, a few days after you use the blade.
Can you dermaplane and use the Microsmooth tip on the same day?
The brand frames Microsmooth as an in-between treatment, and its how-to page suggests the tips two to three days after dermaplaning. Spacing them out keeps you from exfoliating twice in one session.
Does the Sonicsmooth Pro+ come with microdermabrasion tips?
Yes. The Pro+ listing includes 16 dermaplaning blades and 2 Microsmooth exfoliation tips. Replacement Microsmooth tips are sold in two-packs.
Is Michael Todd microdermabrasion safe for sensitive skin?
The brand says both Microsmooth and the Sonic Refresher suit all skin types, including sensitive skin, with speed settings to adjust intensity. Start on the lowest speed with a single pass. If you have a skin condition or very sensitive skin, check with a dermatologist first.
How do you clean the Microsmooth tip?
Remove it from the device, rinse it under warm water after every use, and let it air dry.
The short answer: for peach fuzz and a smoother makeup base, dermaplaning is the better pick. There is no pulling and no sting, it exfoliates while it removes hair, and there is no grow-out phase. Waxing is the better pick for darker, coarser hair on the upper lip or chin, because it pulls hair out at the root and one session lasts about three to four weeks. One rule settles it for a lot of people: if retinol or a prescription retinoid is part of your routine, waxing your face is the method dermatologists warn about.
A small blade glides over the skin and cuts hair at the surface
Wax grips the hair and pulls it out at the root
What comes off
Peach fuzz (vellus hair) and dead surface skin
The whole hair, root included
How long it lasts
Shorter. Hair is cut, not pulled, so regrowth shows sooner
About three to four weeks per session, per Cleveland Clinic
How often
No more than once a week, per a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist
Only once hair has grown back long enough for wax to grip
Hair length needed
None
About one-fourth to three-fourths of an inch, per the American Academy of Dermatology
How it feels
No pulling, so no sting
A quick sting with every pull
Skin bonus
Exfoliation, so skin feels smoother and makeup sits better
Some exfoliation, but that is not the point
Main risks
Nicks, a day or so of irritation, and flare-ups if used over active acne
Redness, ingrown hairs, inflamed follicles, and skin damage on retinoid-treated skin
Best for
Fine, light fuzz across the whole face
Dark or coarse hair in small areas like the upper lip and chin
What dermaplaning does well
Dermaplaning is exfoliation and hair removal in one pass. In Cleveland Clinic’s guide to dermaplaning at home, dermatologist Melissa Piliang, MD, describes it as taking dead skin cells and peach fuzz off the surface of the skin, which is why products may absorb better and makeup may go on more smoothly afterward. Her guidance on frequency is no more than once a week, so skin has time to recover.
The limits are just as clear. The same guidance says to wait out a breakout, because dermaplaning can aggravate existing acne, and to skip it during an eczema flare or any other active skin issue. Skin may feel a little irritated for a day or so, and a nick is a way in for infection, so a guarded tool beats a bare blade.
The dermaplaning tool to look at
What works here is a sonic tool with a safety guard over the blade. The Michael Todd Sonicsmooth is the pick for most people: the brand lists sonic technology with three speeds and a patented safety guard, and says it removes peach fuzz and sideburns. Shop the Michael Todd Sonicsmooth.
Waxing wins on staying power. Because the hair comes out at the root, one session can last three to four weeks, according to Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. That makes it the stronger choice for dark, coarse hairs, the kind that show again quickly when they are only cut at the surface.
The trade-offs are the grow-out and the skin stress. Hair has to be about one-fourth to three-fourths of an inch long before wax can grip it, per the American Academy of Dermatology, so there is always a stretch of visible regrowth between sessions. Cleveland Clinic also lists inflamed follicles, redness, ingrown hairs, and irritation as possible side effects.
The rules dermatologists set for waxing your face
Pause retinol and prescription retinoids first. The American Academy of Dermatology says to avoid them for two to five days before waxing your face. Cleveland Clinic warns that waxing retinol-affected skin can cause abrasions, infection, and even scarring.
No waxing within six months of isotretinoin. That one comes straight from the American Academy of Dermatology.
Skip sunburned or very sensitive skin.
Watch the aftermath. If redness or swelling lasts more than two days, the Academy says to see a dermatologist.
The wax to look at
For a first try at home, the move is no-heat strips made for the face, since there is no hot wax to overheat. Nad’s Facial Wax Strips come as a kit with 20 strips, four calming oil wipes, and a skin protection powder, and the brand lists them for the face, chin, and upper lip. Nad’s also says not to wax the same facial area twice, because repeat passes can irritate delicate skin. See Nad’s Facial Wax Strips on Amazon.
Which one to pick, by situation
Light fuzz across the whole face: dermaplaning. It covers a large area gently, and there is nothing to grow out.
A few dark hairs on the upper lip or chin: waxing, for the weeks between sessions.
Makeup prep before an event: dermaplaning, done a day or two ahead in case skin feels irritated.
Retinol or tretinoin in your routine: waxing is the one with the formal warning and the two to five day pause. For timing actives around a dermaplaning session, see what to use after dermaplaning.
Active breakouts or an eczema flare: wait. Dermaplaning is off the table until skin calms down, and the American Academy of Dermatology says not to wax very sensitive skin.
No. Mayo Clinic states that shaving does not change hair’s thickness, color, or rate of growth. What changes is the tip: a cut hair has a blunt end, so it can feel coarser or look more noticeable while it grows out. Dr. Piliang makes the same point about dermaplaning. With waxing, Cleveland Clinic notes that hair can grow back thinner over time. More myths are covered in dermaplaning mistakes and side effects.
Can you do both?
Yes, on different areas. The split that makes sense is waxing the upper lip and chin and dermaplaning the cheeks, jaw, and forehead. The caution is not to stack them on the same patch of skin in one session, since both take off surface skin. And remember the grow-out: dermaplaning an area resets the clock on the length wax needs.
Want longer between sessions? Where at-home IPL fits
Dermaplaning and waxing are both temporary. For dark facial hair that keeps coming back, at-home IPL is the next step up, and the one to look at is the Nood Flasher Pro. Nood says it can be used anywhere on the face or body, except the eyebrows and the area immediately around the eyes, and lists it for black, brown, and dark blonde hair on fair to olive skin (Fitzpatrick I to IV). Check the Nood Flasher Pro on Amazon.
Two things to know before switching. First, Nood says IPL does not work on light blonde hair, so pale peach fuzz stays in dermaplaning territory. Second, Nood says to shave before each session and not to wax, pluck, thread, or epilate, because IPL needs the hair follicle intact. Waxing and IPL do not mix. The side by side on devices is in Nood Flasher Pro vs other IPL hair removal devices.
The verdict
Pick dermaplaning if the goal is a fuzz-free, smoother face with no grow-out and no sting. Pick waxing if the hair is dark or coarse and three to four weeks between sessions matters more than comfort. Look at IPL if you are tired of repeating either one.
For fine peach fuzz, yes: there is no sting, it exfoliates, and it needs no grow-out. For dark or coarse hair, waxing is better because it removes the root and lasts about three to four weeks.
Which lasts longer, dermaplaning or waxing?
Waxing. One session can last three to four weeks, per Cleveland Clinic. Dermaplaning cuts hair at the surface, so regrowth shows sooner, and it can be repeated as often as once a week.
Is waxing or dermaplaning better for the upper lip?
It depends on the hair. Dark, coarse upper lip hair is a waxing job. Fine, light fuzz is easier and gentler to dermaplane.
Can you dermaplane after waxing?
Not on the same area in the same session. Let waxed skin settle fully first, and keep in mind that wax needs about a quarter inch of growth, so dermaplaning a waxed area pushes back the next wax.
Does hair grow back thicker after dermaplaning or waxing?
No. Mayo Clinic says cutting hair does not change its thickness, color, or rate of growth. A blunt tip can feel coarser for a while, and that is all.
Can you wax your face if you use retinol?
Not without a pause. The American Academy of Dermatology says to stop retinol and prescription retinoids two to five days before waxing your face, and not to wax at all within six months of taking isotretinoin.
Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Is It OK To Try Dermaplaning at Home? (Melissa Piliang, MD) and Shaving vs. Waxing: Benefits, Cons and Results (Shilpi Khetarpal, MD). American Academy of Dermatology, Hair Removal: How to Wax. Mayo Clinic expert answer on shaving and hair regrowth. Michael Todd Beauty, Dermaflash, Nad’s, and Nood product pages, checked October 2026. This post is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a dermatologist about your own skin.
Quick verdict: The Michael Todd Beauty Sonicsmooth Pro+ is the at-home dermaplaning tool to look at for most people. The sonic vibration makes it faster and less nick-prone than a manual dermaplaning razor, it has three speeds, and it comes with a 3-year warranty.
See the full routine start to finish, including technique, speed settings, and results.
What is the Michael Todd Beauty Sonicsmooth?
The Sonicsmooth is a sonic dermaplaning system, a cordless tool that uses a fine, single-use blade vibrating at 15,000 sonic movements per minute (250 plus per second) to exfoliate dead skin and remove peach fuzz. Unlike a plain dermaplaning razor, the sonic motion does the work for you, so you glide instead of scrape. That is what makes it gentler on sensitive skin and easier for beginners.
Dermaplaning at a spa typically runs about $100 per treatment. The Sonicsmooth pays for itself after roughly one visit, and you can do it at home whenever you want smoother skin or a flawless makeup base.
Sonicsmooth specs at a glance
Feature
Detail
Sonic speed
15,000 movements per minute (250 plus per second)
Speed settings
3 adjustable levels
Blades included
16 single-use, medical-grade stainless steel
LED
Built-in light on the safety tip
Power
USB rechargeable, cordless, wireless charging cradle
Warranty
3 years
Also includes
2 microdermabrasion tips
Awards
Allure Readers’ Choice, Best Tool Breakthrough
Sonicsmooth vs Sonicsmooth Pro+: Michael Todd sells two versions. The specs above and the buttons on this page are for the Pro+, the kit with 16 single-use blades and two microdermabrasion tips. The base Sonicsmooth is a separate listing with the same three speeds and 3-year warranty, so check which one is in the cart. For what to do with those two tips, see How to Use the Michael Todd Microdermabrasion Tip.
Genuinely painless. The sonic vibration means no tugging or razor burn, even around the jaw and upper lip.
Smoother makeup, instantly. Foundation sits more smoothly on freshly dermaplaned skin. This is the benefit most people notice first.
Three speed settings. Lower speed on the cheeks, higher for denser peach fuzz. Most competitors have one speed.
Best-in-class warranty. A 3-year warranty on a tool at this price is a sign the brand stands behind it.
Cordless and wireless charging. Charges on the cradle, travels easily, no cords in the bathroom.
Tiny cost per use. One spa dermaplaning visit costs about the same as the whole device.
What to keep in mind
You will rebuy blades. The single-use tips are consumable. Budget for refills a few times a year, still far cheaper than the spa.
Technique matters at first. Your first session has a small learning curve: short, light strokes on clean, dry skin. The step-by-step guide walks you through it.
Not for active acne. Skip dermaplaning over active breakouts or raised blemishes. See the safety guide.
Sonicsmooth vs. Dermaflash Luxe+ (honest comparison)
The Dermaflash Luxe+ is the other big name. Here is the straight comparison so you can choose for yourself:
Sonicsmooth Pro+
Dermaflash Luxe+
Speed settings
3
1
Warranty
3 years
Not stated
Blades in box
16
Fewer
Extras
2 microdermabrasion tips, LED tip
PREFLASH cleanser included
Best for
Control, value, longevity
Simplicity, included cleanser
Bottom line: If you want the included cleanser and the simplest one-button experience, Dermaflash is a fine pick. If you want more control with 3 speeds and a 3-year warranty, the Sonicsmooth Pro+ wins. The full side by side is in Dermaflash vs Michael Todd.
Buy it if you want smoother skin, better makeup application, and painless peach-fuzz removal without paying for repeat spa visits. It is especially good for dermaplaning beginners because the sonic motion is forgiving. Skip it for now if you have active acne or very reactive, broken skin.
How to use it (the short version)
Start with clean, completely dry skin.
Hold skin taut and use short, light, downward strokes at about a 45 degree angle.
Go slow around the jaw and upper lip.
Follow with a hydrating serum and SPF. Freshly dermaplaned skin loves product and needs sun protection.
Also looking at hair removal? Dermaplaning clears peach fuzz for a week or two. For hair that keeps coming back on legs, underarms or the bikini line, at-home IPL is the next step up, and the one to look at is the Nood Flasher Pro, the only at-home IPL device with an energy figure in a public FDA file.
For most people, yes. If you dermaplane even a few times a year it replaces repeat spa visits, and the 3-year warranty makes it low risk.
Does dermaplaning make hair grow back thicker?
No. Dermaplaning cuts fine vellus hair straight across at the surface. It does not change the hair’s thickness or color, and it grows back exactly as before. More in the myths and mistakes post.
How often should I use it?
Most people dermaplane every 1 to 2 weeks to let the skin’s surface renew between sessions.
Does it hurt?
No. The sonic vibration is what keeps it painless, with no razor burn or tugging when you use light strokes on dry skin.
The Sonicsmooth Pro+ comes with a 3-year warranty and 16 blades in the box. It is the at-home dermaplaning tool to look at for salon-smooth skin without repeat salon visits.
