Microdermabrasion with and without aluminum oxide crystal abrasion: a comparative molecular analysis of dermal remodeling.
BACKGROUND
Microdermabrasion is a popular method of superficial skin resurfacing with effects on dermal remodeling.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative importance of the two components of microdermabrasion, negative pressure and abrasion, in stimulating expression of key genes involved in dermal remodeling.


METHODS
Ten subjects were treated with a microdermabrasion machine using focal crystal abrasion and negative pressure or negative pressure alone for 3 seconds. Serial biochemical analyses were performed. Reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were used to evaluate changes in transcription factor activator protein-1, primary cytokines (interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9).


RESULTS
Significant increases in gene expression of the c-Jun component of activator protein-1, interleukin 1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 were found with crystal abrasion combined with negative pressure. Negative pressure alone resulted in increased gene expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 but of a quantitatively reduced magnitude when compared with negative pressure with crystal abrasion.


CONCLUSIONS
It is unclear that molecular changes seen with these treatments can result in clinical effect.


CONCLUSIONS
The abrasive component of microdermabrasion is necessary for stimulating expression of key genes involved in dermal remodeling.
Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. dariusjk@umich.edu
Darius J
DJ
Karimipour
Sewon
S
Kang
Timothy M
TM
Johnson
Jeffrey S
JS
Orringer
Ted
T
Hamilton
Craig
C
Hammerberg
John J
JJ
Voorhees
Gary
G
Fisher
D000328:Adult; D000537:Aluminum Oxide; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003869:Dermabrasion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000235:genetics; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000235:genetics; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D011312:Pressure; D000071701:Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics*; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000071701:Regulatory Factor X Transcription Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; D000537:Aluminum Oxide