The Ultimate Guide to the Microdermabrasion Benefits & Side Effects

LIMITATIONS

Despite all its benefits, this procedure still has some limitations. On the other hand, microdermabrasion isn’t a miracle treatment, and it has its limitations.

Microdermabrasion, for example, will not help with severe or cystic acne. Microdermabrasion can irritate acne that is already inflamed, making it worse in appearance and feel.

Deep acne scars, such as boxcar or ice pick scars, are not helped by microdermabrasion.

It won’t help you flatten hypertrophic or keloid scars, and in some instances, it can make them worse. Your dermatologist can do acne scar treatments that are far more effective than microdermabrasion.

If you’re considering microdermabrasion as an anti-aging therapy, keep in mind that it won’t remove all lines and wrinkles, and it won’t address deep creases. Sagging skin is another condition that microdermabrasion can’t help with.

References

1. M. El-Domyati, W. Hosam, E. Abdel-Azim, H. Abdel-Wahab, and E. Mohamed, “Microdermabrasion: a clinical, histometric, and histopathologic study,” J. Cosmet. Dermatol., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 503–513, Dec. 2016, doi: 10.1111/JOCD.12252.
2. P. H. Savardekar, “Microdermabrasion,” Aesthetic Med. Art Tech., pp. 145–149, Jan. 2012, doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-20113-4_12.
3. Z. A. E. S. Ibrahim, R. A. El-Tatawy, M. A. El-Samongy, and D. A. M. Ali, “Comparison between the efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma vs. microdermabrasion in the treatment of striae distensae: clinical and histopathological study,” J. Cosmet. Dermatol., vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 336–346, Dec. 2015, doi: 10.1111/JOCD.12160.
4. E. Wenande, W. Phothong, C. Bay, K. E. Karmisholt, M. Haedersdal, and K. Togsverd-Bo, “Efficacy and safety of daylight photodynamic therapy after tailored pretreatment with ablative fractional laser or microdermabrasion: a randomized, side-by-side, single-blind trial in patients with actinic keratosis and large-area field cancerization,” Br. J. Dermatol., vol. 180, no. 4, pp. 756–764, Apr. 2019, doi: 10.1111/BJD.17096.
5. B. Haney, “Microdermabrasion,” Aesthetic Proced. Nurse Pract. Guid. to Cosmet. Dermatology, pp. 51–58, 2020, doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-19948-7_6.
6. A. Chiu, D. Hooper, and K. O. Brag, “Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion,” Acne Scars, pp. 41–53, Oct. 2018, doi: 10.1201/9781315179889-6.
7. P. Y. Chhatbar et al., “Microdermabrasion facilitates direct current stimulation by lowering skin resistance,” Ski. Heal. Dis., p. e76, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.1002/SKI2.76.
8. J. A. Scott and A. K. Banga, “Cosmetic devices based on active transdermal technologies,” Ther. Deliv., vol. 6, no. 9, pp. 1089–1099, Sep. 2015, doi: 10.4155/TDE.15.64/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/FIGURE3.JPEG.
9. M. Fernandes, N. M. Pinheiro, V. O. Crema, and A. C. Mendonça, “Effects of microdermabrasion on skin rejuvenation,” http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/14764172.2013.854120, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 26–31, Jan. 2013, doi: 10.3109/14764172.2013.854120.
10. A. N. B. Kauvar, “Successful treatment of melasma using a combination of microdermabrasion and Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers,” Lasers Surg. Med., vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 117–124, Feb. 2012, doi: 10.1002/LSM.21156.
11. A. Kołodziejczak, A. Wieczorek, and H. Rotsztejn, “The assessment of the effects of the combination of microdermabrasion and cavitation peeling in the therapy of seborrhoeic skin with visible symptoms of acne punctata,” https://doi.org/10.1080/14764172.2018.1525751, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 286–290, Jul. 2018, doi: 10.1080/14764172.2018.1525751.
12. M. Batory, E. Wołowiec-Korecka, and H. Rotsztejn, “The influence of topical 5% tranexamic acid at pH 2.38 with and without corundum microdermabrasion on pigmentation and skin surface lipids,” Dermatol. Ther., vol. 33, no. 6, p. e14391, Nov. 2020, doi: 10.1111/DTH.14391.