Topical antioxidant application enhances the effects of facial microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion has been accepted as a reliable, non-invasive method for facial rejuvenation. Recently, there has been interest in combining this technique with other modalities to increase its efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of an antioxidant-based serum enhanced the dermatologic changes seen following microdermabrasion.

Ten female volunteers, aged 38-52 years, underwent a series of six diamond tip crystal-free microdermabrasion facial treatments spaced 7-10 days apart. An antioxidant serum rich in polyphenols was pneumatically applied to half the face immediately after each microdermabrasion treatment. Skin biopsies and skin polyphenolic antioxidant levels, determined by Raman spectroscopy, were obtained prior to and after the study period. Investigator ratings for efficacy were analyzed after the study period and compared to baseline.

Compared with the skin treated with microdermabrasion only, the skin treated with microdermabrasion plus antioxidant demonstrated significantly increased epidermal and papillary dermal thickness, and increased fibroblast density (p < 0.01). There was increased hyalinization of the papillary dermis with newly deposited collagen fibers. Skin polyphenolic antioxidant levels increased 32% in the skin treated with the polyphenolic antioxidant serum after microdermabrasion (p < 0.01). Clinical efficacy variables were significantly more improved in the antioxidant group when compared to baseline (p < 0.01). These changes were supported clinically via digital photography.

The addition of a polyphenolic antioxidant serum to a facial microdermabrasion regimen enhanced the clinical and histological changes seen following microdermabrasion alone. This combination should strengthen the use of microdermabrasion as a non-invasive facial rejuvenation tool and support the role of topical antioxidants as anti-aging factors.