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Esthetics
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About MicrodermabrasionThe American Association of Plastic Surgeons - Press Release
MICRODERMABRASION PROVES EFFECTIVE WITH LITTLE RISK AND DOWN TIME
For Immediate Release
November 6, 2001
CONTACT:
(847) 228-9900
media@plasticsurgery.org
ORLANDO, Fla. - - - Microdermabrasion, a skin resurfacing technique, is effective and safe to improve the appearance of aged skin, according to a study presented today at the 70th
Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) in Orlando, Fla. According to the ASPS, microdermabrasion is popular with both men and women and was
performed on 870,000 Americans last year. The procedure, typically performed in less than one hour, is conducted with a fine sandblaster-type device that sprays tiny aluminum
oxide particles across the face, combining gentle abrasion with suction to remove the dead outer layer of skin. Little or no recovery time is needed. "Microdermabrasion is a
fairly new skin-resurfacing technique that promises to firm the skin and decrease wrinkles, but few studies exist that illustrate these results after patient follow-up," said
James Chao, MD, assistant professor of plastic surgery, University of Texas, Southwestern, Dallas. "This study tracked a group of patients for four months after treatment and
found promising results - microdermabrasion decreases age spots and increases collagen production, giving skin a firmer appearance." The researchers conducted eight
microdermabrasion treatments in one-week intervals on 20 patients with varying degrees of wrinkles and age spots. With the exception of sunscreen, patients did not use skin care
products before, after or during the treatments. To determine the procedures' success, the researchers performed a skin biopsy on each patient to determine changes in the skin
layers. They also took "before" and "after" photographs of the patients that were rated on a five-point scale by 30 observers. Based on biopsy results, researchers found positive
changes in both the outer and inner layers of the skin, including increased production of collagen. All observers, including medical personnel and lay people, found a significant
improvement in the color of age spots. The lay people also saw a decrease in wrinkles. Patients reported high satisfaction with their results. "Microdermabrasion offers an
effective way to improve age spots," said Dr. Chao. "The effects of age and sun damage are inevitable. Microdermabrasion can be a fast, simple, pain-free way to help us look and
feel younger."
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