Microdermabrasion Machines Explained

In 2005 microdermabrasion was one of the top 5 aesthetic procedures performed in the United States. There were almost 150,000 microdermabrasion procedures performed, which is an increase of 26% from 2003. Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive treatment developed in Italy in 1985 that uses tiny particles to take off the top (dead) layer of the skin and vacuum the particles and dead skin away.

The Microdermabrasion Machine

There are over 100 different microdermabrasion machines on the market, but they all have the same basic design. The machine is essentially an electronic vacuum for the skin. It pulls medical grade crystals across the skin's surface through a stainless steel or glass wand. When the wand makes contact with the skin, the system is "closed" and the vacuum effect pulls the used crystals and dead skin into a waste container.

Microdermabrasion - Corundum Crystals

There are several types of crystals used in microdermabrasion machines but the type most commonly used is corundum or aluminum oxide. These crystals are preferred because:

• They are an excellent material for cutting and abrading because they have rough, jagged surfaces.
• Their hardness is second only to diamonds, but they are not as costly.
• They do not interact chemically with the skin.
• They are not absorbed by the skin.
• The crystals themselves have bacterial-killing properties that make them useful for treating acne.

Microdermabrasion - Other Crystals

Other types of crystals can be used for microdermabrasion.

• Sodium chloride crystals
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) crystals
• Magnesium oxide crystals

Microdermabrasion Without Crystals

There are some microdermabrasion systems that do not use crystals. These machines use a sandpaper- or diamond-tipped handpiece that mechanically abrades the skin, and the usual suction system that vacuums the exfoliated particles away.

Microdermabrasion Video

See the "What Is Microdermabrasion" video that illustrates what happens during this procedure.

_{Sources: Blome, Dexter. "Microdermabrasion." Procedures for Primary Care. Ed. J.L. Pfenninger and G. Fowler. Missouri: Mosby, 2003. 349-50.}

The American Academy of Dermatologic Surgery. "2005 Procedure Survey - Dermasurgery Trends and Statistics" 2005. http://www.asds-net.org/Media/Articles/ASDS2005StatsReport.pdf

Zani, Alexandra. "Exfoliation and Peels." Advanced Professional Skin Care, Medical Edition. Ed. Peter T. Pugliese, MD. Pennsylvania: The Topical Agent, LLC, 2005. 329-30.