Dermabrasion

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Dermabrasion
Specialty dermatology
MeSH D003869
MedlinePlus 002987
[edit on Wikidata]
Dermabrasion is a type of surgical skin planing, typically performed in a
professional medical setting by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon trained
specifically in this procedure. Dermabrasion has been practiced for many years
(before the advent of lasers) and involves the controlled deeper abrasion (wearing
away) of the upper to mid layers of the skin with any variety of strong abrasive
devices including a wire brush, diamond wheel or fraise, sterilized sandpaper, salt
crystals, or other mechanical means. Dermabrasion should not be confused with
microdermabrasion which is a newer and non-surgical cosmetic procedure performed by
non-physician personnel, nurses, estheticians, medical assistants, and most
recently untrained individuals in their homes.[citation needed]

Dermabrasion procedures are surgical, invasive procedures that typically require a

local anaesthetic. Often they are performed in surgical suites or in professional
medical centers. Since the procedure can typically remove the top to deeper layers
of the epidermis, and extend into the reticular dermis, there is always minor skin
bleeding. The procedure carries risks of scarring, skin discoloration, infections,
and facial herpes virus (cold sore) reactivation. In aggressive dermabrasion cases,
there is often tremendous skin bleeding and spray during the procedure that has to
be controlled with pressure. Afterward, the skin is normally very red and raw-
looking. Depending on the level of skin removal with dermabrasion, it takes an
average of 7�30 days for the skin to fully heal (re-epithelialize). Often this
procedure was performed for deeper acne scarring and deep surgical scars.
Dermabrasion is rarely practiced currently and there are very few doctors who are
trained and still perform this surgery. Dermabrasion has largely been replaced all
over the world by newer and somewhat simpler technologies including lasers, CO2 or
Erbium:YAG laser. Laser technologies carry the advantage of little to no bleeding
and are often less operator dependent than dermabrasion.

The purpose of surgical dermabrasion is to help diminish the appearance of deeper

scars and skin imperfections. Often the goal is to smooth the skin and, in the
process, remove small scars (as from acne), uneven skin tone from scars or
birthmarks, sun damage, tattoos, age spots, Stretch marks[citation needed] or fine
wrinkles.[1]

Dermabrasion is a mechanical surgical skin planing method which has remained

popular partially because it may afford an overall lower cost (affordable) and may
provide similar superior results as newer laser method for certain skin conditions.
[2]

Contents
1 Microdermabrasion
1.1 Microdermabrasion units
1.2 Abrasive material
1.2.1 Microdermabrasion media
2 References
3 External links
Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a light cosmetic procedure that uses a mechanical medium for
exfoliation to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis.
Most commonly, microdermabrasion uses two parts: an exfoliating material like
crystals or diamond flakes and a machine based suction to gently lift up the skin
during exfoliation. It is a non-invasive procedure and may be performed in-office
by a trained skin care professional.[3] It may also be performed at home[4] using a
variety of products which are designed to mechanically exfoliate the skin. Many
salon machines and home-use machines use adjustable suction to improve the efficacy
of the abrasion tool.

Microdermabrasion is considered a relatively simple, easy, painless, non-invasive

skin rejuvenation procedure. Typically there are no needles or anesthetics required
for microdermabrasion. The vacuum pressure and speed are adjusted depending on the
sensitivity and tolerance of the skin.[citation needed] Microdermabrasion is often
compared to the feeling of a cat licking the skin- a rough but gentle texture.
Typical microdermabrasion sessions can last anywhere from 5�60 minutes. Minimal to
no recovery time is required after microdermabrasion and most people immediately
return to daily activity after a session. Makeup and non-irritating creams can
usually be applied within a few hours or right after microdermabrasion. Since there
is an often immediate increased minor skin sensitivity after microdermabrasion,
irritating products like glycolic acids, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Retinoid products or
fragranced creams and lotions are typically avoided right after the procedure.
[citation needed]

Traditionally, a "crystal" microdermabrasion system includes a pump, a connecting

tube, a hand piece, and a vacuum. While the pump creates a high-pressure stream of
inert crystals (aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium chloride, or sodium
bicarbonate) to abrade the skin, the vacuum removes the crystals and exfoliated
skin cells. Alternatively, the inert crystals can be replaced by a roughened
surface of the tip in the diamond microdermabrasion system.[5]

Unlike the older crystal microdermabrasion system, the diamond microdermabrasion

does not produce particles from crystals that may be inhaled into patients� nose or
blown into the eyes. Hence, diamond microdermabrasion is regarded as having higher
safety for use on areas around the eyes and lips. Generally, the slower the
movement of the microdermabrasion handpiece against the skin and the greater the
numbers of passes over the skin, the deeper the skin treatment.[citation needed]

One of the safest methods of microdermabrasion involves the use of corundum or

aluminum oxide crystals suspended in an antioxidant cream. This version of
microdermabrasion is generally the most cost efficient as it involves the use of a
small handheld skincare tool instead of expensive equipment used by a salon. This
method of microdermabrasion rose to popularity in the early 2000s and is widely
available today.

Often called �microderm� for short, microdermabrasion is a procedure to help

exfoliate or temporarily remove a few of the top layers of the skin called the
stratum corneum. Much like brushing one's teeth, microdermabrasion helps to gently
remove skin �plaque� and skin debris.[citation needed] Since human skin typically
regenerates at approximately 30-day intervals, skin improvement with
microdermabrasion is temporary and needs to be repeated at average intervals of two
- four weeks for continued improvement. Multiple treatments in combination with
sunscreen, sun avoidance, and other skin care creams yield best results.

Dermabrasion is generally used to refer to a true surgical procedure that

aggressively abrades away the top to mid layers of the skin. The term
microdermabrasion generally refers to a non-surgical procedure that abrades less
deeply than dermabrasion. Although the mechanism of the two procedures is similar,
the difference in the depth of the abrasion results in different recovery times.
Dermabrasion recovery time may take as much as several weeks to several months
whereas microdermabrasion recovery time may be as little as one to two days.[6]
After microdermabrasion, skin will be much more sensitive to sun exposure. It is
best to keep out of the sun and wear sunscreen at all times after the procedure.
[citation needed]

Microdermabrasion may be performed to help diminish the appearance of superficial

hyperpigmentation, and photo-damage, as well as diminish fine lines, wrinkles,
acne, and shallow acne scars. A further benefit of microdermabrasion is enhanced
skin penetration by other skin creams and serums. Removing dead skin (stratum
corneum of the epidermis) will aid in the penetration of skin care products and
medications by up to 10-50%. The controlled skin exfoliation afforded by
microdermabrasion will allow make-up and self-tanning products to go on much more
smoothly.[7]

Microdermabrasion treatment carries minimal to very few possible side effects or

complications. However, some patients may experience temporary mild dryness, sun
sensitivity, and rarely temporary bruising or scratches in the area of skin
treated.[citation needed]

Microdermabrasion units
The first microdermabrasion unit was developed in Italy in 1985, using small inert
aluminium oxide crystals to abrade the skin. In 1986, other European markets had
introduced the technology, which was immediately adopted by physicians for
mechanical exfoliation. There were 10 microdermabrasion units on the market in
Europe by the end of 1992. In 1996, Mattioli Engineering partnered with one of the
Italian designed machines and started working towards meeting FDA requirements for
the USA. By the end of 1996, the FDA issued the first approval letter for
microdermabrasion machines. In January 1997, the first microderm machine was being
sold and marketed in the US. The diamond tip was introduced in 1999 and the bristle
tip brush was introduced in 2005.[8] The first standard vacuum based
microdermabrasion system called Vacubrasion was introduced in 2012 in the U.S. and
world markets, and provides diamond tip exfoliation and suction. Vacubrasion's
patented air regulator delivery system was designed and underwent extensive testing
by U.S. dermatologists and physicians. Its straightforward design revolutionized
microdermabrasion to permit use of almost any type of suction source (primarily
retail brand vacuums with a 1.25 inch standard round hose such as Eureka, Stanley
vacuums) with a non-disposable, attached electroplated fine diamond abrasive tip.
While traditional, older crystal based microdermabrasion and home microdermabrasion
systems are not infrequently fraught with clogging issues and potential loss of
suction, the crystal-free Vacubrasion systems utilize a universal, larger and more
powerful suction source that avoids many of these issues.[9]

Abrasive material
Microdermabrasion has evolved from rocks, stones and shells to crystals, particle-
free diamond tips and particle-free bristle tips. Once the desired amount of
exfoliation has been reached, some microdermabrasion units will then spray or
infuse a skin enhancing solution into the skin. Since microderm essentially
manually removes limited layers of the stratum corneum (dead layers of the outer
layer of the skin), any serum or topical product applied in any fashion to the skin
following microdermabrasion will potentially have a greater opportunity for
penetration into the skin.

Microdermabrasion crystals are typically made of a very fine, abrasive material

like aluminum oxide. Other inert microderm crystals include magnesium oxide, sodium
chloride, and sodium bicarbonate. All ultra-fine white crystals are disposable and
should be discarded after each use. The microdermabrasion vacuum removes the
crystals and exfoliated skin cells. Inhalation of crystals should be avoided and
masks are sometimes worn by the operator doing the treatment. Ocular injury may
occur if crystals are inadvertently sprayed in the eye or if crystals remain around
the eye and cause a corneal abrasion. There are some possible concerns of
inhalation exposure and basic safety precautions should be taken. Patient goggles
or eye shields, as well as operator face masks are recommended when treating with
crystal based systems. Alternatively, microderm crystals can be safely replaced by
the roughened surface of a diamond tip microdermabrasion system. The newer diamond
based systems like Vacubrasion utilize a fine diamond dust that is essentially
electroplated onto a stainless steel round tip that comes in contact with the skin.

Microdermabrasion media
Aluminium oxide crystals:[10] 100 micrometres; aluminium oxide is relatively
chemically inert and generally recognized as safe.[citation needed]
Bristle tips: bristles are pliable, so they move with the skin allowing for
aggressive treatments without added irritation.[citation needed]
Diamond tips:[11] can be natural but usually synthetic for lower costs; erythema
(Redness) is partially due to circulation rather than only irritation.[12]
Liquid: water based sprays in combination with a rough plastic tip spray liquid
against the skin to help gently exfoliate.[citation needed]
Magnesium oxide[citation needed]
Organic grains: used to buff and polish; made from trees, plants, agricultural
crops, straw, reeds, maize, sunflower, cane sugar.[citation needed]
Sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride crystals.