Microdermabrasion: a molecular analysis following a single treatment.
BACKGROUND
Microdermabrasion is a popular method of superficial skin resurfacing. It is unclear if dermal remodeling actually occurs.


OBJECTIVE
To rigorously investigate the molecular alterations observed following a single microdermabrasion treatment.


METHODS
Forty-nine subjects received a single microdermabrasion treatment to buttock skin. Serial in vivo biochemical and immunohistological analyses were performed. Reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry assays were used to evaluate changes in transcription factors (AP-1, NF-kappaB), primary cytokines (interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9), barrier repair enzymes (acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase), and type I procollagen. Results Elevation of transcription factors, primary cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases occurs rapidly after a single microdermabrasion treatment. Two of 11 subjects also demonstrated increased type I procollagen messenger RNA and protein levels 14 days after treatment. No alteration in stratum corneum thickness was detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Microdermabrasion activates a dermal remodeling/wound healing cascade with minimal epidermal disruption. Evidence now exists to further study manipulation of variables such as number and timing of microdermabrasion sessions.
Karimipour
Darius J
DJ
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0314, USA. dariusjk@umich.edu
Kang
Sewon
S
Johnson
Timothy M
TM
Orringer
Jeffrey S
JS
Hamilton
Ted
T
Hammerberg
Craig
C
Voorhees
John J
JJ
Fisher
Gary
G
D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002081:Buttocks; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D003869:Dermabrasion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011347:Procollagen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000235:genetics
D016207:Cytokines; D011347:Procollagen; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D000103:Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase