SMOOTH OPERATOR

The benefits of mechanical exfoliation have been widely touted, and not just among the Newton-Wellesley crowd: Removing the dead, pore-clogging top layers of skin can reduce acne, diminish scars, and lend a youthful look. But the often abrasive microcrystals used in the process can have damaging side effects even under the best conditions. For those seeking an alternative, Vibraderm is being hailed as the next wave in skin resurfacing. Available locally at Dermatology Partners, the technology uses a foot file–like paddle to clear away dead cells via gentle vibration: no redness, no broken capillaries. In less than an hour, your face is markedly smoother.

$150 for half-hour session, $190 for one hour, Dermatology Partners, 65 Walnut St., Wellesley, 781-431-7733.