What is it?
The MiniMD is a compact, home version of diamond peel exfoliation (microdermabrasion facials) available in day spas and medical aesthetic centres. The diamond tip exfoliates rough, bumpy and leathery dead skin and the vacuum sucks away the debris.
Removing the top skin layers not only reveals fresh skin, but it also promotes the growth of healthy new cells to replace it. The suction also stimulates your skin’s blood flow, boosting energy so it rebuilds strong collagen and elastin. Both actions give healthier, smooth skin and a beautiful afterglow. Skin is rejuvenated and looks and feels younger.
There are several FDA-registered microdermabrasion models to choose from Trophy Skin ranging from £99 to £219 / $99 to $299. Use them on your face, neck and chest to reduce visible photo-damage and ageing effects. This review is for the the basic MiniMD model.
First impressions
Being picky, the plastic insert is thin and makes scratchy sounds, and the surrounding cardboard is maybe a tad flimsy to withstand ongoing storage needs. It’s not as robust a box as you get with other brands – but hey, let’s not make this little guy feel bad.
What’s in the box:
- Trophy Skin MiniMD device
- Medium diamond tip
- 30-pack of filters
- Power adapter
- User manual
It’s all very nicely done and well presented. A super first impression.
The MiniMD is dinky! It’s just 17cm tall and just under 4 cm wide at the broadest middle point. A classy, smooth-white, long and round applicator with shimmery dusk gold and shiny rose gold controls and accents. The diamond exfoliator tip stands to attention at the gently pointed top.
I just can’t wait to see what crap this thing sucks off my face!
Before you start
Start by reading the user manual. It’s a good introduction and shows you how to operate the MiniMD. It also lists a few reasons you shouldn’t use the MiniMD or microdermabrasion in general.
❌ Don’t use the MiniMD if you have:
- Lesions, warts, or recent herpes outbreak
- Sunburn or sun sores
- Active rosacea
- Auto-immune disorders
- Skin cancer
- Vascular lesions
- Any open wounds, sores, or cuts
- Are taking oral blood thinners (anti-coagulants)
Thin or delicate skin?
If your skin is very thin or delicate, a microdermabrasion device could be too much for you. Instead, I suggest a red & NIR light device which stimulates, heals and strengthens your skin without exfoliation or damage. Try the CurrentBody Skin masks or the bad-boy FlexMD.
It also tells you to do a skin sensitivity test on the inside of your forearm. The skin there is more delicate and a good indicator to show if you’ll be sensitive to the exfoliation on your face.
I found this test difficult because you must pull the skin taut as you glide the exfoliator tip over your arm. To do this, I need an extra hand. As I don’t have one, I just tried without and found the whole sensation rather squeaky and tickly! I didn’t get very far, but my skin seemed fine with what I did manage.
Next, find a comfortable place to sit, beside a plug and in front of a mirror. A handheld mirror requires one of your hands and you’ll need both for this baby, so find an alternative. Wash and dry your face. Then, crack on!
TIP: Always microderm on freshly washed and dry skin. Don’t wash and wait a bit because your natural protective skin oils come out and reduce the effect of the micro-exfoliation. They’ll be far less evidence on the used filter!
Design & operation
The MiniMD is very simple to operate and easy to handle. Pull off the tip and pop in a new wool filter before every treatment. It takes a bit of practise to get the correct angle and motion as you work across your face. But it’s so incredibly satisfying and effective.
TIP: Trophy Skin Microderm devices are safe for all skin types, including most sensitive. However, if you have very sensitive skin, use a lower setting and / or use it less often.
The MiniMD is mains-powered. The power cable is ok. It’s 145 cm long but rather thin which matches the lightweight device. I’d prefer a slightly longer cable because you must be close to a power socket and a mirror. I sit next to a socket on the floor with a small pedestal mirror to work with. You may need an extension cable if you’re working with a fixed mirror that’s too far from a socket.
The MiniMD works worldwide on multi-voltage. It comes with a US plug built into the mains cable and a separate UK socket adaptor.
The MiniMD is small and lightweight (138g). There’s a single button to operate it. Press to power on at suction level 1 and the bottom blue light illuminates. Press it again to level 2 and the top blue light illuminates. Press it again to power off.
The routine
It’s very easy to handle and manoeuvre. A little low pitch whirring starts up inside and sounds a bit more earnest on suction level 2. Do each side of your face in turn.
Start on the right forehead. With your free hand pull your skin taut and place the tip squarely against your skin until the suction takes. Slide the tip in small, smooth motions to the outside of your forehead. It’s easy to get the hang of.
Continue across your nose and cheeks, down your outer cheeks and around your mouth. Then across your upper lip and chin. Take care around your eyes and lips and make use of the lower suction level where skin feels thinner, more delicate or loose.
Repeat on the other side. Don’t do the same bit of skin more than 3 times in a session. Trophy Skin say treatment takes just 5minutes. For me, it’s up to 10 minutes depending on how thorough I am.
You may also treat your neck and chest area too. I do occasionally, and also my hands.
Afterwards, apply your skincare products. They’ll have an easier job absorbing in. And don’t forget to apply sunscreen SPF 30+ before you go about your day!
How does it feel?
I like the sensation. There’s no pain. The diamond tip is scratchy across your skin but in a very fine way.
The 2 suction levels are gentle but create a firm seal with your skin. Level 2 is significantly more powerful and so effective. Level 1 is good for your first go, and for sensitive or delicate areas around your eyes, mouth and on the neck.
Sometimes it’s tricky to position on the centre of my forehead for the suction to take. And it makes small squeaky noises on my neck (and tickles). However, it’s important not to press the tip too hard against your skin.
The tip works on all my nose apart from the bridge and tip (it’s quite pointy). It’s also a bit fiddly around my hairline where my small wispy baby hairs interfere with the suction. I persevere here though because I have some small but visible sunspots I’d like to see less of.
The suction makes your skin turn pinky-red, but this doesn’t last very long. If it does, or if you’ve any irritation, rest your skin until it fades. Also, reduce how often you use it and / or the suction level. And don’t do too many passes over your skin.
Product just sinks into my skin afterwards. It can sting a little if you’ve overdone it in any areas. And touch your skin afterwards and feel how fresh and moist, beautifully soft and smooth it is. It gets softer after each session and feels like silk.
Oh. Lushness.
But what I really love is both admiring and feeling horrified at the filter once you’re done!
There’s an impressive amount of face gunk. Who knew I was so flaky? It’s so incredibly satisfying and more-ish. I love you can plainly see what’s exfoliated away.
What results to expect?
Results are far superior to using any exfoliation or microdermabrasion scrub. Plus, there’s no environmental impact on our oceans with those nasty micro-beads.
You can feel and see it actually works.
You can feel the difference from the first session. But it’s gentle. Apprehensive at first, I thought maybe it’d be too much for my skin to do more than 1 per week. I was wrong and I now do 2 sessions per week (as that’s easy to fit in).
And you can see the work it does after each session. If you start on the lower suction level it’s not so obvious. But on the higher suction level – oh boy. I see more gunk the more frequently I use it. I guess my skin had a kick-up the bum and is churning out more skin cells now!
What it fixes: Softens fine lines and wrinkles, fades dark spots, shrinks pores, reduces scarring, brighter & smoother skin, a youthful glow.
After 3 months, my complexion is baby-smooth, clear and even. I’ve no bumps or blemishes as I had before. Post-session, my skin drinks in my Vitamin C cream and serums (which can sting if you overdo the microderming!) Make-up glides on, but I don’t need as much anymore because I look fresh-faced.
Maybe my forehead lines have reduced a bit, but it’s difficult to tell because they weren’t too bad to start with. I’m looking forward to using this over the Winter months when I really suffer from very dry, rough skin.
You get a 60-day money-back guarantee from CurrentBody.com and TrophySkin.com. This is long enough to try it and fall in love with it.
The MiniMD also partners perfectly with the Mira-skin ultrasound skincare booster. That’s because the MiniMD removes the top layers of dead skin so the Mira-skin booster get’s even more skincare goodies deep into your skin. And I also use it before my red light mask or FlexMD because it makes it easier for the light energy to penetrate my skin. Love this little guy.
Replacement tips & filters
There is the ongoing cost of replacement filters and diamond tips to consider too. I get annoyed at the crazy costs of fancy replacement gels with other home beauty devices. Especially seen as much cheaper basic alternatives are available. However, with the Trophy Skin devices, I think the replacement tips and filters are good value. And of course 100% necessary!
A 100-pack of replacement wool filters costs £12. Replacement diamond tips cost £25 each. And there are a few to choose from.
The MiniMD comes with the ✔️ standard diamond tip. There’s also a ✔️ fine tip, ✔️ body tip and ✔️ precision tip for around eyes, lips and nose. As well as a ✔️ pore extraction and ✔️ infusion tip.
Tips last between 6 months to 1 year, which I think is good. And you’ll get best results if you clean it regularly. The MicrodermMD comes with a cleaning brush, the MiniMD doesn’t. Trophy Skin explain on the website you’ll get best results if you clean the tips in an ultrasonic bath cleaner. This uses water and ultrasound waves to gently vibrate-off dirt and debris. You can also use it to clean jewellery. Buy ultrasonic cleaner from Amazon here.
For one year of use, microderming twice a week, you’ll need at least 1x 100-pack of filters. And let’s assume you need 2 tips. So:
- 1 x 100-pack wool filters @ £12
- 2 x tips @ £25
- 1-year total cost is £62
That’s not bad at all, especially compared to other skincare devices with expensive gels. It’s a manageable and worthy investment for smooth, glowsome results.
Trophy Skin MiniMD Review Summary
If you’re a teenager or in your early twenties, you’ve no need for this. But from around 30 onwards or at the first sign of fine lines, I think it’s a simple, quick and affordable, skin health-boosting option. It makes a difference immediately and effects gradually build too. If you’re choosing your first home skincare tech I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Plus, it’s highly addictive, in a very good way.
Here’s a summary of my test scores, and pros and cons for the Trophy Skin MiniMD to help you decide:
Ease of use
👍👍👍👍
Simple, easy to follow, x2 suction levels. Use a clean filter each session, diamond tips last 6 months to 1 year. Quick and very more-ish satisfaction seeing dead skin gunk in the filter!
Effort
💧
Low effort. Takes 5 to 10 mins just 2 or 3 times per week. For ongoing use.
Results
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Immediate smooth skin. Boosts cell turnover, collagen & elastin build gradually, refreshing and brightening. Healthier skin, faded wrinkles & pigmentation over a month or so.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Easy to use & low weekly effort
- Durable & intuitive
- Options for different budgets
- Exfoliation tips for different body areas
- Immediate smooth, glowing results
- Love the visible face-gunk!
- Clinically proven
Cons
- Over-zealous use means after-session products can sting!
- Ongoing cost of tips & filters (but it’s small)
- MiniMD has a short, thin power cable
Trophy Skin MiniMD deals
I hope you’ve found this Trophy Skin MiniMD review helpful. If you want to get your mitts on it, please support my future reviews and shop via these links. I earn a small commission, but your price stays the same. I really appreciate your support 🙏!
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