Information on Microdermabrasion

Scientific Studies On Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a simple, safe, office based cosmetic procedure in which aluminum oxide crystals or other abrasive substances are blown onto the face, then vacuumed off, using a single handpiece attached to a vacuum machine. Despite its widespread use, little is known about its actual mechanism of action. The few published studies suggest that both patients and physicians have reported benefits with microdermabrasion when the procedures of microdermabrasion are utilized for photo aging.

Though microdermabrasion is not able to provide dramatic improvement, it does offer modest benefits. It is a good procedure for the patient desiring to have skin rejuvenation done to counteract the effects of photo damage. Another benefit of the procedure is that it is suitable for most skin types as supported by the following scientific studies.

Study by Tsai et al

The first published paper on microdermabrasion appeared in 1995 by Tsai et al. The study included 41 patients that represented a cross section of skin types and a variety of scars - some patient had acne, some had traumatic scars; some had varicella and some had burn scars.

All the patients were treated with same type of microdermabrasion unit - called a Harvey 91 microdermabrasion unit (Mattioli, Italy) which was set at 76 mm Hg of vacuum pressure.

Most studies were carried out with multiple treatment sessions. A mean of 9.1 sessions were required for a successful treatment of the patients. Acne scars required a mean of 15.2 treatments for improvement.

Results

The study provided very encouraging results, as evaluated by the physician himself and also judged by the high satisfaction rate among the patients. The results did not throw any light on the mechanism of action of the procedure.

Side effects

The procedure was found to be very safe. Mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was the only adverse effect seen, but the frequency of the side effects was determined. A setting in which an aggressive procedure was used caused petechiae (pinpoint-sized hemorrhages of small capillaries in the skin).

Studies by Shim and Colleague

This study on microdermbrasion treatment was performed by Shim et al on 14 patients with photoaging.

Eleven patients out of 14 patients also had comedomal acne or milia, and 3 had acne scarring.

All of these patients were treated every 2 weeks using a mild vacuum setting (from 8 to 15 in Hg) using a Dermapeel unit (Derma Genesis, Lewisville, TX, USA) A total of 6-7 treatments were performed on all the 14 patients so that the treatment lasted 12 to 14 weeks.

Most patients were allowed to resume retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acid only several days after the procedure.

Results

The results of the treatment were analyzed by a self-assessment questionnaire given to the patients. Overall, patients were pleased with the treatment and reported fair benefits in overall complexion, skin smoothness, and reduction of mottled pigmentation.

The patients who did not report significant improvement in fine wrinkling and comedomal acne or milia were given an aggressive treatment. These were treated usually with more than 20 passes being performed on them.

An important outcome of the procedure was the reporting by the authors that overly aggressive treatment induced pinpoint bleeding. This presumably indicated that the level of abrasion extended to the blood vessels in the papillary dermis, giving substance to the fact that abrasion plays some role in skin rejuvenation.

Out of the three treated for acne, one reported fair and the other reported good improvement. The evaluation was also substantiated with before and after photographs of these three patients with acne scars.

A few samples of skin were also sent for histological examination. The combination of microdermabrasion followed by a 5% RA peel showed slightly greater improvement in the histological alterations resulting from photoaging.

Studies by Hernandez-Perez and Ibiett

Hernandez-Perez and Ibiett reported a series of seven patients with the mean age of 45 who underwent a series of five microdermabrasion treatments for oily, thick skin, dilated pores, and fine wrinkling. The microdermabrasion unit used in this study was a Megapeel unit (DermaMed USA, Lenni, PA, USA) with a standard pressure intensity of 380 mm Hg.

Excellent improvement was observed in oily skin, dilated pores, fine wrinkles and thick skin. Moderate improvement in fine wrinkles was noted in 14% and good improvement in 86%.

Studies by Lloyd

Lloyd evaluated 25 patients with grade II to III acne, using a Parisian Peel unit (Aesthetic Technologies, Inc, Golden, CO, USA).

Patients underwent a series of eight microdermabrasion treatments continuing with their systemic and topical antibiotics and retinoid therapy.

Twenty-four patients completed the study and reported good benefits of the procedure. 38% of the patients rated the benefits as excellent, 34% as good, 17% as fair, and 12% poor results. Non patient reported any adverse effect during or after the study.

Studies by Tan and Colleagues

Tan and colleagues evaluated microdermabrasion for ten subjects who underwent a series of five to six treatments using a Parisian Peel unit with a vacuum pressure of 30 mm Hg.

Patients were treated with four passes over the face at 15 mm Hg and two passes for the periorbital skin.

Mild improvement was noted in the majority of patients, assessment was also done with the help of clinical photography. Objective assessment via instrumentation was also done to reveal a decrease in skin stiffness and an increase in compliance. The investigators attributed the changes to increased blood flow and persistent edema induced by microdermabrasion.

On the whole, scientific studies have convincingly proved the microdermabrasion treatment benefits that are offered for photo ageing.

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

Information on microdermabrasion - some scientific and clinical studies

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Despite its widespread use, little is known about its actual mechanism of action. The few published studies suggest that both patients and physicians have reported benefits with microdermabrasion when the procedures of microdermabrasion are utilized for photo aging. Though microdermabrasion is not able to provide dramatic improvement, it does offer modest benefits. It is a good procedure for the patient desiring to have skin rejuvenation done to counteract the effects of photo damage. Another benefit of the procedure is that it is suitable for most skin types as supported by the following scientific studies. Study by Tsai et al The first published paper on microdermabrasion appeared in 1995 by Tsai et al. The study included 41 patients that represented a cross section of skin types and a variety of scars - some patient had acne, some had traumatic scars; some had varicella and some had burn scars. All the patients were treated with same type of microdermabrasion unit - called a Harvey 91 microdermabrasion unit (Mattioli, Italy) which was set at 76 mm Hg of vacuum pressure. Most studies were carried out with multiple treatment sessions. A mean of 9.1 sessions were required for a successful treatment of the patients. Acne scars required a mean of 15.2 treatments for improvement. Results The study provided very encouraging results, as evaluated by the physician himself and also judged by the high satisfaction rate among the patients. The results did not throw any light on the mechanism of action of the procedure. Side effects The procedure was found to be very safe. Mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation was the only adverse effect seen, but the frequency of the side effects was determined. A setting in which an aggressive procedure was used caused petechiae (pinpoint-sized hemorrhages of small capillaries in the skin). Studies by Shim and Colleague This study on microdermbrasion treatment was performed by Shim et al on 14 patients with photoaging. Eleven patients out of 14 patients also had comedomal acne or milia, and 3 had acne scarring. All of these patients were treated every 2 weeks using a mild vacuum setting (from 8 to 15 in Hg) using a Dermapeel unit (Derma Genesis, Lewisville, TX, USA) A total of 6-7 treatments were performed on all the 14 patients so that the treatment lasted 12 to 14 weeks. Most patients were allowed to resume retinoids or alpha-hydroxy acid only several days after the procedure. Results The results of the treatment were analyzed by a self-assessment questionnaire given to the patients. Overall, patients were pleased with the treatment and reported fair benefits in overall complexion, skin smoothness, and reduction of mottled pigmentation. The patients who did not report significant improvement in fine wrinkling and comedomal acne or milia were given an aggressive treatment. These were treated usually with more than 20 passes being performed on them. An important outcome of the procedure was the reporting by the authors that overly aggressive treatment induced pinpoint bleeding. This presumably indicated that the level of abrasion extended to the blood vessels in the papillary dermis, giving substance to the fact that abrasion plays some role in skin rejuvenation. Out of the three treated for acne, one reported fair and the other reported good improvement. The evaluation was also substantiated with before and after photographs of these three patients with acne scars. A few samples of skin were also sent for histological examination. The combination of microdermabrasion followed by a 5% RA peel showed slightly greater improvement in the histological alterations resulting from photoaging. Studies by Hernandez-Perez and Ibiett Hernandez-Perez and Ibiett reported a series of seven patients with the mean age of 45 who underwent a series of five microdermabrasion treatments for oily, thick skin, dilated pores, and fine wrinkling. The microdermabrasion unit used in this study was a Megapeel unit (DermaMed USA, Lenni, PA, USA) with a standard pressure intensity of 380 mm Hg. Excellent improvement was observed in oily skin, dilated pores, fine wrinkles and thick skin. Moderate improvement in fine wrinkles was noted in 14% and good improvement in 86%. Studies by Lloyd Lloyd evaluated 25 patients with grade II to III acne, using a Parisian Peel unit (Aesthetic Technologies, Inc, Golden, CO, USA). Patients underwent a series of eight microdermabrasion treatments continuing with their systemic and topical antibiotics and retinoid therapy. Twenty-four patients completed the study and reported good benefits of the procedure. 38% of the patients rated the benefits as excellent, 34% as good, 17% as fair, and 12% poor results. Non patient reported any adverse effect during or after the study. Studies by Tan and Colleagues Tan and colleagues evaluated microdermabrasion for ten subjects who underwent a series of five to six treatments using a Parisian Peel unit with a vacuum pressure of 30 mm Hg. Patients were treated with four passes over the face at 15 mm Hg and two passes for the periorbital skin. Mild improvement was noted in the majority of patients, assessment was also done with the help of clinical photography. Objective assessment via instrumentation was also done to reveal a decrease in skin stiffness and an increase in compliance. The investigators attributed the changes to increased blood flow and persistent edema induced by microdermabrasion. On the whole, scientific studies have convincingly proved the microdermabrasion treatment benefits that are offered for photo ageing. Reference Pearl E. Grimes, Microdermabrasion, Dermatol Surg 31:9 Part 2: September 2005

Information on microdermabrasion - some scientific and clinical studies