Learn About Microdermabrasion History And Treatments

History of Microdermabrasion

Abrading the skin and thus producing a partial thickness wound for cosmetic purpose, has been a common practice known and used for centuries. The practice results in the formation of new skin with an enhanced cosmetic appearance as part of the wound healing process. Historically, ancient Egyptians used pumice stone and power to abrade their skin to improve skin tone - an approach that is similar to dermabrasion. Ancient communities would also use naturally occurring acids from plants in which to wash skin to help improve skin texture.

This fact has been basis for the evolution of modern treatment techniques such as chemical peels and dermabrasion; both of which aim at causing deeper skin wounds, because of the belief that deeper wounds produced greater skin rejuvenation. But at the same time much deeper wounds produced by these procedures always had the tendency to cause scars.

Learn about Microdermabrasion Treatment

During whole of the twentieth century chemical peels and dermabrasion were widely utilized to produce partial thickness wounds. Chemical peels induce a controlled chemical burn, whereas dermabrasion utilizes a rotary wire brush or diamond fraise to mechanically abrade the skin.

Though both the techniques were used on people as anti-aging procedures throughout the 20th century, they were not devoid of shortcomings and had some major side effects associated with them. The deepest chemical peel obtained with phenol-containing mixtures had the tendency to induce and hypomelanosis. The chemicals used in the deep peel treatments are cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic if absorbed systemically. Most dermabrasion procedures were and still are susceptible to infections, scar formation and photo sensitiviy.

Dermabrasion required significant operator experience and enough prior expertise on the part of plastic surgeon to achieve a successful outcome. When the blood vessels of the papillary dermis are abraded, it produces significant aerosolization of blood into the procedure room which can be a major cause of cross contamination and infection. Besides, the technique posed risks associated with anesthesia and resulted in a lot of patient discomfort such as bleeding, irritation and increased photosensitivity.

To avoid all such pit falls associated with more aggressive wounding techniques, a new technique called microdermabrasion was first developed in Italy in 1985. This new technique of microdermabrasion involved the spraying of crystals onto skin which was then removed by vacuum, a technique that offered an in-clinic method to produce gentle abrasion. The method was very hygienic as the crystals were only used once, removing any chance of cross contamination. The technique was finally accessible to a large number of clients and became one of the most popular forms of superficial resurfacing.

The microdermabrasion units

In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration gave approval for microdermabrasion to be marketed in the United States and the first contract to produce the equipment required was obtained by Mattioli Engineering.

The microdermabrasion unit that was marketed was a simple machine that operated by pulling the skin into a handpiece with a vacuum line (suction). The machine also consisted of a second line that helped to blow aluminum oxide crystals on to the skin, causing gentle mechanical abrasion. The crystals and any abraded material produced during the procedure were carried away by the vacuum into a waste receptacle.

In most microdermabrasion devices, the operator was able to control the amount of suction, measured in millimeters of mercury, which indirectly affected the forward flow rate of aluminum oxide particles. The treatment procedure was also dependent upon the number of passes that were done with the crystals.

The FDA had classified the microdermabrasion device as a type I device (non-life-sustaining) so it did not require the manufacturer to establish expertise for marketing the unit, neither did it require any clearance from the FDA for its sale.

The ease of use and the potential benefits that the procedure offered led to an increased popularity for the procedures, with the microdermabrasion device making its way into every spa and beauty parlor across the country. Today there are numerous types of microdermabrasion machine available although they all use the same basic approach or abrading the skin with some form of crystal and suction to remove the crystals and abraded skin to ensure hygiene.

This history of microdermabrasion had two consequences: no phase III clinical trials of microdermabrasion devices were ever conducted so as to establish their efficacy, and secondly the device was openly accessible and could be used by any one. Since the procedure could be performed in any surgeon's office or as outpatient basis little control could be exercised on the credibility of the procedure or the cosmetic surgery center housing it.

Since that time the treatment did not promote many clinical trials to establish the credibility of the procedures. And so very few well-designed, controlled studies have been published regarding the efficacy and safety of this procedure.

Microdermabrasion Benefits

Though the efficacy of microdermabrasion treatment benefts has been an intensely debated topic among dermatologic surgeons, it is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments currently performed. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery estimates that microdermabrasion is the second most widely utilized cosmetic procedure after injection of botulinum toxin. 2002 data presented by American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported around 1,032,417 microdermabrasion procedures were performed in the USA. The number surpassed most other forms of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures including chemical peels, injectable fillers, and botulinum toxin injections.

The data serves as good enough evidence for efficacy of procedures and to put aside most of the controversies regarding the procedure. Low risk and less time required for the procedure have also been important contributors towards the popularity of microdermabrasion.

The high satisfaction rates among patients substantiates for the lack of data obtained through controlled and scientific studies. Since few studies have been performed regarding the procedure, little is actually known about the mechanism - how and why the procedure works.

In the light of the this astonishing fact, a sincere effort has been made to present authentic information related to the various aspects of microdermabrasion - the procedure, the device, the mechanism of action and the histopathological effects associated with the procedure. The information is sure to help people in making an informed decision regarding the procedure.

References:

Pearl E. Grimes, Microdermabrasion, Dermatol Surg 31:9 Part 2: September 2005

James M. Spencer, Microdermabrasion, Am J Clin Dermatol, 6 (2): 89-92, 2005

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Microdermabrasion Information History of Mircrodermabrasion Microdermabrasion Candidates Microdermabrasion Benefits Microdermabrasion Costs Microdermabrasion Procedure Microdermabrasion Procedure Care with Microdermabrasion Scientific Studies Histological Changes Before A Chemical Peel History of Chemical peels Chemical Peel Procedures Assessment of Skin Type Candidates for Chemical Peel Preparation for Chemical Peel Chemical Peel Procedures Retinol Treatments Glycolic Acid Peels Medium Depth Peels Deep Phenol Peels Post Operative Care Others Procedures... Photo Facial Therapy Photo Facial Therapy Procedure Holistic Skin Rejuvenation Sponsored Articles		Home > Microdermabrasion Information > History of Mircrodermabrasion History of Microdermabrasion Abrading the skin and thus producing a partial thickness wound for cosmetic purpose, has been a common practice known and used for centuries. The practice results in the formation of new skin with an enhanced cosmetic appearance as part of the wound healing process. Historically, ancient Egyptians used pumice stone and power to abrade their skin to improve skin tone - an approach that is similar to dermabrasion. Ancient communities would also use naturally occurring acids from plants in which to wash skin to help improve skin texture. This fact has been basis for the evolution of modern treatment techniques such as chemical peels and dermabrasion; both of which aim at causing deeper skin wounds, because of the belief that deeper wounds produced greater skin rejuvenation. But at the same time much deeper wounds produced by these procedures always had the tendency to cause scars. Learn about Microdermabrasion Treatment During whole of the twentieth century chemical peels and dermabrasion were widely utilized to produce partial thickness wounds. Chemical peels induce a controlled chemical burn, whereas dermabrasion utilizes a rotary wire brush or diamond fraise to mechanically abrade the skin. Though both the techniques were used on people as anti-aging procedures throughout the 20th century, they were not devoid of shortcomings and had some major side effects associated with them. The deepest chemical peel obtained with phenol-containing mixtures had the tendency to induce and hypomelanosis. The chemicals used in the deep peel treatments are cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic if absorbed systemically. Most dermabrasion procedures were and still are susceptible to infections, scar formation and photo sensitiviy. Dermabrasion required significant operator experience and enough prior expertise on the part of plastic surgeon to achieve a successful outcome. When the blood vessels of the papillary dermis are abraded, it produces significant aerosolization of blood into the procedure room which can be a major cause of cross contamination and infection. Besides, the technique posed risks associated with anesthesia and resulted in a lot of patient discomfort such as bleeding, irritation and increased photosensitivity. To avoid all such pit falls associated with more aggressive wounding techniques, a new technique called microdermabrasion was first developed in Italy in 1985. This new technique of microdermabrasion involved the spraying of crystals onto skin which was then removed by vacuum, a technique that offered an in-clinic method to produce gentle abrasion. The method was very hygienic as the crystals were only used once, removing any chance of cross contamination. The technique was finally accessible to a large number of clients and became one of the most popular forms of superficial resurfacing. The microdermabrasion units In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration gave approval for microdermabrasion to be marketed in the United States and the first contract to produce the equipment required was obtained by Mattioli Engineering. The microdermabrasion unit that was marketed was a simple machine that operated by pulling the skin into a handpiece with a vacuum line (suction). The machine also consisted of a second line that helped to blow aluminum oxide crystals on to the skin, causing gentle mechanical abrasion. The crystals and any abraded material produced during the procedure were carried away by the vacuum into a waste receptacle. In most microdermabrasion devices, the operator was able to control the amount of suction, measured in millimeters of mercury, which indirectly affected the forward flow rate of aluminum oxide particles. The treatment procedure was also dependent upon the number of passes that were done with the crystals. The FDA had classified the microdermabrasion device as a type I device (non-life-sustaining) so it did not require the manufacturer to establish expertise for marketing the unit, neither did it require any clearance from the FDA for its sale. The ease of use and the potential benefits that the procedure offered led to an increased popularity for the procedures, with the microdermabrasion device making its way into every spa and beauty parlor across the country. Today there are numerous types of microdermabrasion machine available although they all use the same basic approach or abrading the skin with some form of crystal and suction to remove the crystals and abraded skin to ensure hygiene. This history of microdermabrasion had two consequences: no phase III clinical trials of microdermabrasion devices were ever conducted so as to establish their efficacy, and secondly the device was openly accessible and could be used by any one. Since the procedure could be performed in any surgeon's office or as outpatient basis little control could be exercised on the credibility of the procedure or the cosmetic surgery center housing it. Since that time the treatment did not promote many clinical trials to establish the credibility of the procedures. And so very few well-designed, controlled studies have been published regarding the efficacy and safety of this procedure. Microdermabrasion Benefits Though the efficacy of microdermabrasion treatment benefts has been an intensely debated topic among dermatologic surgeons, it is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments currently performed. The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery estimates that microdermabrasion is the second most widely utilized cosmetic procedure after injection of botulinum toxin. 2002 data presented by American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported around 1,032,417 microdermabrasion procedures were performed in the USA. The number surpassed most other forms of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures including chemical peels, injectable fillers, and botulinum toxin injections. The data serves as good enough evidence for efficacy of procedures and to put aside most of the controversies regarding the procedure. Low risk and less time required for the procedure have also been important contributors towards the popularity of microdermabrasion. The high satisfaction rates among patients substantiates for the lack of data obtained through controlled and scientific studies. Since few studies have been performed regarding the procedure, little is actually known about the mechanism - how and why the procedure works. In the light of the this astonishing fact, a sincere effort has been made to present authentic information related to the various aspects of microdermabrasion - the procedure, the device, the mechanism of action and the histopathological effects associated with the procedure. The information is sure to help people in making an informed decision regarding the procedure. References: Pearl E. Grimes, Microdermabrasion, Dermatol Surg 31:9 Part 2: September 2005 James M. Spencer, Microdermabrasion, Am J Clin Dermatol, 6 (2): 89-92, 2005

Information to learn about Microdermabrasion