eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Cosmetic Surgery

Microdermabrasion: Follow-up

Author: Elizabeth Whitaker, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Atlanta Surgical Group, PC
Coauthor(s): John M Yarborough, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Tulane University and Louisiana State University
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 22, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

In appropriately selected patients, microdermabrasion can be a very effective technique. Patients with photodamage, fine rhytides, age spots, acne, and enlarged pores can experience significant improvement in the quality and uniformity of the appearance of their skin. This improvement is accomplished with little risk and essentially no downtime, excluding the treatments themselves. Therefore, microdermabrasion is well suited to the patient with a busy lifestyle and superficial skin conditions. The number and frequency of treatments can be tailored to the individual patient, depending on the condition and desired result.

Microdermabrasion is not effective for deep wrinkles and scars or ice-pick acne scars because these lesions extend into the deeper layers of the dermis. Similarly, microdermabrasion is not effective for pigmentary problems, such as melasma or postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, because this treatment does not effectively address the dermis where these problems arise. Patients with these problems are best treated with more traditional resurfacing modalities, such as chemical peeling, dermabrasion, and laser resurfacing.

Future and Controversies

The advantages of rapid recovery and low risk have led to the widespread popularity and use of the microdermabrasion technique. In patients with fine lines and early photoaging, microdermabrasion serves as an effective technique with little or no impact on their lifestyle. The effectiveness of microdermabrasion is limited for deeper skin conditions, such as deep wrinkles and scars, which are currently best treated with other resurfacing modalities. Deeper injury increases complications and recovery time along with effectiveness. Techniques that allow dermal injury and rejuvenation without a degree of epidermal injury currently do not exist, but such techniques may be the future of resurfacing technology.

 


More on Microdermabrasion

Overview: Microdermabrasion
Treatment: Microdermabrasion
Follow-up: Microdermabrasion
References
[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

References

  1. Freedman BM, Rueda-Pedraza E, Waddell SP. The epidermal and dermal changes associated with microdermabrasion. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(12):1031-3. [Medline].

  2. Alam M, Omura NE, Dover JS, Arndt KA. Glycolic acid peels compared to microdermabrasion: a right-left controlled trial of efficacy and patient satisfaction. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28(6):475-9. [Medline].

  3. Bernard RW, Beran SJ, Rusin L. Microdermabrasion in clinical practice. Clin Plast Surg. Oct 2000;27(4):571-7. [Medline].

  4. Bhalla M, Thami GP. Microdermabrasion: Reappraisal and brief review of literature. Dermatol Surg. June 2006;32(6):809-14. [Medline].

  5. Brody HJ. Glycolic Acid peels compared to microdermabrasion. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28(7):xvi. [Medline].

  6. Coimbra M, Rohrich RJ, Chao J, Brown SA. A prospective controlled assessment of microdermabrasion for damaged skin and fine rhytides. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;113(5):1438-43. [Medline].

  7. Coopman SA, Garmyn M, Gonzalez-Serva A. Photodamage and photoaging. In: Arndt KA, ed. Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery: An Integrated Program in Dermatology. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1996:. 732-50.

  8. Freeman MS. Microdermabrasion. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. May 2001;9(2):257-66, viii. [Medline].

  9. Grimes PE. Microdermabrasion.bb. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(Part 2):1160-5. [Medline].

  10. Hernandez-Perez E, Ibiett EV. Gross and microscopic findings in patients undergoing microdermabrasion for facial rejuvenation. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(7):637-40. [Medline].

  11. Karimipour DJ, Kang S, Johnson TM, Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, et al. Microdermabrasion with and without aluminum oxide crystal abrasion: a comparative molecular analysis of dermal remodeling. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(3):405-10. [Medline].

  12. Karimipour DJ, Kang S, Johnson TM, Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, et al. Microdermabrasion: a molecular analysis following a single treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. February 2005;52(2):215-23. [Medline].

  13. Koch RJ, Hanasono MM. Microdermabrasion. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2001;9(3):377-82. [Medline].

  14. Lawrence N. New and emerging treatments for photoaging. Clin Plast Surg. Jan 2001;28(1):235-48.

  15. Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, Voorhees JJ, Fisher G, Karimipour DJ, et al. Microdermabrasion: a molecular analysis following a single treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52(2):215-23. [Medline].

  16. Shim EK, Barnette D, Hughes K, Greenway HT. Microdermabrasion: a clinical and histopathologic study. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(6):524-30. [Medline].

  17. Shpall R, Beddingfield FC, Watson D, Lask GP. Microdermabrasion: a review. Facial Plast Surg. 2004;20(1):47-50. [Medline].

  18. Spencer JM. Microdermabrasion. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(2):89-92. [Medline].

  19. Spencer JM, Kurtz ES. Approaches to document the efficacy and safety of microdermabrasion procedure. Dermatol Surg. Nov 2006;32(11):1353-7. [Medline].

  20. Tan MH, Spencer JM, Pires LM, Ajmeri J, Skover G. The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(11):943-9. [Medline].

  21. Tsai RY, Wang CN, Chan HL. Aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion. A new technique for treating facial scarring. Dermatol Surg. Jun 1995;21(6):539-42. [Medline].

  22. White CR, Bigby M, Sangueza OP. What is normal skin? In: Arndt KA, ed. Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery: An Integrated Program in Dermatology. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1996:. 3-41.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Further Reading

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Keywords

microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, exfoliation, power peel, skin resurfacing, Parisian peel, skin revitalization, age spots, acne scars, chemical peeling, chemical peel, laser resurfacing, skin resurfacing procedure, epidermal ablation, dermal ablation, facial scars, facial wrinkles, facial rhytid, facial rhytids, facial rhytide, facial rhytides, photo-aging, photoaging, photodamage, photo-damage, aging, chronological aging

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Elizabeth Whitaker, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Atlanta Surgical Group, PC
Elizabeth Whitaker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John M Yarborough, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Tulane University and Louisiana State University
John M Yarborough, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

J David Kriet, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Director of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Kansas School of Medicine
J David Kriet, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, AO Foundation, and Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Keith A LaFerriere, MD, Clinical Professor, Fellowship Director, Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology, University of Missouri at Columbia
Keith A LaFerriere, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, and Missouri State Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Advanced Headache Intervention Consulting fee Consulting; Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting

 
 
HONcode

We subscribe to the
HONcode principles of the
Health On the Net Foundation

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright© 1994- by Medscape.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.