Microdermabrasion

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Microdermabrasion (often referred to as Microderm) is a cosmetic procedure popular in day spas, doctors' practices, and medical spas, in which the stratum corneum (dead outermost surface of the skin) is partially or completely removed by light abrasion. Different methods include mechanical abrasion from jets of zinc oxide or aluminum oxide crystals, fine organic particles, or a roughened surface. Particles and removed material are vacuumed off through the wand/handpiece through which the abrasive particles come ^[1]. Microdermabrasion is used to remove sun-damaged skin and to remove or lessen scars and dark spots on the skin. The procedure is not very painful and requires no anaesthetic. Microdermabrasion can be used medically for scar removal when the scar is raised above the surrounding skin, but is less effective with sunken scars. Microdermabrasion can also be used for treatment of acne, but must be repeated periodically to be effective.

In the past, microdermabrasion was done using abrasive crystals. In the past decade, it has become more common to use a wand with a roughened surface. This procedure requires no medical oversight and is commonly used in conjunction with facial spa treatments. These days there are a multiplicity of machines available for microdermabrasion.

Microdermabrasion is a relative newcomer to the United States. This technique was first used in Europe and adopted by United States in the late 1990s. Today, Microdermabrasion is used effectively to treat fine wrinkles, stretch marks, and scars left from moderate to severe acne. The term dermabrasion refers to the more severe medical procedure carried out under general or twilight anaesthesia.

1 Microdermabrasion Techniques
2 References
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Microdermabrasion Techniques

Microdermabrasion works to two unique ways:

1. By cleansing skin pores – and thus healing existing acne

2. By eliminating the dead skin cells – and thus preventing pimples from appearing. Pimples are normally caused by dead skin cell that’s fill up skin pores.

Microdermabrasion techniques commonly include crystal and non-crystal machine and at home peeling systems.

Microdermabrasion Technique No.1 : Peeling

Instead of using harsh chemicals such as zinc and metal oxides, microdermabrasion peels capitalize on the power of debris-leeching micro-cystals. They shouldn’t be painful, but rather very comforting; like a deep tissue massage! Microdermabrasion peeling can be done easily and quickly in an outpatient clinic, at a spa or even at home as mentioned earlier.

The device is a hand-held machine which deeply exfoliates and cleans the skin’s surface. Regimens normally consist of 4-6 peels within 1-2 week intervals; and then followed by a conditioning peel every 6 weeks or thereabouts where necessary.

In layman terms, a sandjet or sandblaster shoots fine sand particles onto the surface of the skin in a oscillatory motion. The friction that this motion creates abrades the surface of dead skin cells on the upper-most layer of the skin.

Microdermabrasion Technique No.2 : Corundum Crystal Machines

The most commonly type of crystal using in microdermabrasion machines are corundum or aluminium oxide.

The reason for this is that they are firstly, great materials for cutting and abrading because of their coarse, un-even surfaces. Second, their hardness is second only to diamonds, but cheaper. Third, they don’t cause allergic skin reactions, such as eczema, psoriasis, or itching; they don’t interact chemically and are not absorbed by the skin. Finally, the crystals have bactericidal properties which is a plus for treating acne; as acne is most commonly due to bacterial infection.

Microdermabrasion Technique No.3: Other Crystal Machines

Other crystals instead of corundum can be used for microdermabrasion, and these include, sodium chloride crystals, sodium bicarbonate crystals, and magnesium oxide crystals. The benefit of using these methods is that it is cheaper overall, however be weary of the efficacy compared to standard crystal techniques.

Microdermabrastion Technique No. 4: Without Crystals

Instead of crystals, machines can use sandpaper or even diamond tipped devices that abrade the skin. These are obviously much more expensive that standard techniques. However, there isn’t that much of a difference in the efficacy of diamond tipped machines compared to corundum crystal machines. In the end, its all about how much you can dish out!

[edit] References

Microdermabrasion. Dermatol Surg. 2005 Sep;31(9 Pt 2):1160-5; discussion 1165. Review.

^ Anderson, Laurence. 2006. Looking Good, the Australian guide to skin care, cosmetic medicine and cosmetic surgery. AMPCo. Sydney. ISBN: 0 85557 044 X.