Aesthetic Medicine Today
Microdermabrasion Rejuvenates Aging Skin
Karimipour, D. Archives of Dermatology, October 2009; vol 145.

In the October issue of Archives of Dermatology, University of Michigan scientists
reported that diamond-studded microdermabrasion may stimulate the production of
collagen.  The study examined biopsies of patients before treatment and after four to
fourteen hours after treatment.   This is a remarkable study since previous studies
using common aluminum oxide (sand particles) has not shown collagen production or
remodeling.

Twenty-six men and 14 women, ages 50 to 83, took part in the study, each
undergoing microdermabrasion with a diamond-studded hand piece of either a
coarse-grit or medium-grit abrasiveness over wrinkles, acne scars, and other signs of
aging.  The dermis was buffed but not aggressively so as to not ablate (destroy) the
skin.  These collagen rejuvenation findings were only noted in patients undergoing
microdermabrasion with the coarse grit and was not noted with either the medium or
fine grit heads.  

Mild redness and slight irritation lasting up to two hours was noted by the majority of
the study patients.