Microdermabrasion (MDA; lat. derma: “skin” as well as lat. abrasion “scraping off”) is the name given to a procedure in aesthetic medicine or dermatology (skin medicine) that is equivalent to mechanical peeling. The top layer of the epidermis, the so-called stratum corneum (horny layer formed from dead skin cells) is removed. Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that should not be confused with dermabrasion, which is an invasive procedure. Dermabrasion is a mechanical abrasive procedure. It involves using a fine wire brush or diamond burr to remove the top layer of skin down to the so-called stratum papillare. Due to the very superficial application, microdermabrasion is a method with very few complications. It is suitable for almost every skin type.
Indications (areas of application)
- Fine wrinkles on the face, neck and décolleté.
- Skin blemishes – e.g. pigmentation disorders.
- Comedones acne (blackheads)
- Superficial atrophic acne scars
- Striae distensae (stretch marks)
- Enlarged pores
Contraindications
- Active herpes simplex infection
- Atopic eczema (neurodermatitis)
- Allergies – regarding the materials used
- Bacterial or viral infections of the skin – e.g. warts or boils.
- Taking retinoids for acne – Do not perform MDA until 12 months after.
- Fresh scars and wounds
- Tendency to keloids (hypertrophic scarring/excessive scarring).
- Neoplasms (neoplasms) and tumors of the skin.
- Pathological inflammatory skin conditions – e.g. inflamed acne pustules.
- Regular use of steroids
- Rosacea – chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by persistent or sudden onset of redness (erythema) and inflammatory phases with papules (nodules) and pustules (pustules), especially on the face.
- Radiatio (radiotherapy) in the area of the skin to be treated.
Before treatment
Before the start of treatment should be an educational and counseling discussion between the doctor and the patient. The content of the conversation should be the goals, expectations and the possibilities of treatment, as well as side effects and risks. Before treatment, the patient should gently cleanse the skin with soap and water to remove makeup or other care products. Furthermore, an anamnesis (medical history) should be taken to exclude previous diseases and allergies.
The procedure
Since microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure, no local anesthesia (local anesthesia of the skin) is necessary. First, the skin is degreased. If the facial skin is treated, the eyes should be covered to protect the conjunctiva (conjunctiva). Very small salt or aluminum crystals are used for controlled mechanical ablation. The treatment is carried out with the help of a vacuum-compressor system. The crystals are blasted at a very high speed onto the skin to be treated and immediately sucked out again by means of a vacuum. The intensity of the abrasion can be varied via the device and should be reduced, for example, in the case of very thin skin. In addition to abrasion of the uppermost horny layer, microdermabrasion stimulates cell renewal via a mild inflammatory reaction. Mirco-circulation (blood flow) within the skin and collagen synthesis (new collagen formation) are also stimulated. Approximately 6 treatments are recommended to achieve visible results.
After the treatment
After treatment, the skin is gently cleansed to remove any remaining particles. Furthermore, a moisturizing skin care cream and sunscreen should be applied. The patient should avoid direct sun exposure for at least 24 hours after treatment.
Possible complications
- Redness
- Slight pain
- Petechiae (pinpoint bleeding in the skin) – These occur especially when taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medications).
- Reactivation of a herpes infection
- Urticaria (hives) – This occurs should there be an allergy to materials used during treatment.
- Spread of viral infection – eg.B. Molluscum contagiosum (Dell warts) or verrucae (warts).
