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Molecular analysis of aggressive microdermabrasion in photoaged skin
Darius J Karimipour1, Laure Rittié, Craig Hammerberg
1Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr, 1910 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. dariusjk@umich.edu
Objective:
To investigate dermal remodeling effects of crystal-free microdermabrasion on photodamaged skin.
Design:
Biochemical analyses of human skin biopsy specimens following microdermabrasion treatment in vivo.
Setting:
Academic referral center.
Participants:
Volunteer sample of 40 adults, aged 50 to 83 years, with clinically photodamaged forearms. Intervention Focal microdermabrasion treatment with diamond-studded handpieces of varying abrasiveness on photodamaged forearms and serial biopsies at baseline and various times after treatment.
Main Outcome Measures:
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to quantify changes in inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling effectors of normal wound healing. Type I and type III procollagen served as the main outcome marker of dermal remodeling.
Results:
Coarse-grit microdermabrasion induces a wound healing response characterized by rapid increase in induction of cytokeratin 16 and activation of the AP-1 transcription factor in the epidermis. Early inflammation was demonstrated by induction of inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, and neutrophil infiltration in the dermis. AP-1 activation was followed by matrix metalloproteinase-mediated degradation of extracellular matrix. Consistent with this wound-healing response, we observed significant remodeling of the dermal component of the skin, highlighted by induction of type I and type III procollagen and by induction of collagen production enhancers heat shock protein 47 and prolyl 4-hydroxylase. Dermal remodeling was not achieved when microdermabrasion was performed using a medium-grit handpiece.
Conclusions:
Microdermabrasion using a coarse diamond-studded handpiece induces a dermal remodeling cascade similar to that seen in incisional wound healing. Optimization of these molecular effects is likely the result of more aggressive treatment with a more abrasive handpiece.
Insights
Coarse microdermabrasion stimulates skin wound healing, increasing collagen and remodeling photodamaged skin. Medium-grit treatments did not yield similar dermal remodeling effects.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Aesthetic Medicine
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Photodamaged skin exhibits signs of aging and structural degradation.
- Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure used for skin rejuvenation.
- The dermal remodeling effects of crystal-free microdermabrasion require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dermal remodeling effects of crystal-free microdermabrasion on photodamaged skin.
- To analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying skin repair after microdermabrasion.
Main Methods:
- Biochemical analyses of human skin biopsy specimens were performed post-microdermabrasion.
- Forty adults with photodamaged forearms underwent microdermabrasion with varying grit diamond handpieces.
- Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA were used to assess inflammatory and remodeling markers, with Type I and Type III procollagen as primary outcomes.
Main Results:
- Coarse-grit microdermabrasion initiated a wound healing response, increasing cytokeratin 16 and activating the AP-1 transcription factor in the epidermis.
- Early inflammation was observed, with increased inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, and neutrophil infiltration in the dermis.
- Significant dermal remodeling occurred, evidenced by increased Type I and Type III procollagen, heat shock protein 47, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase, but only with coarse-grit treatment.
Conclusions:
- Microdermabrasion with a coarse diamond-studded handpiece effectively induces a dermal remodeling cascade akin to incisional wound healing.
- More aggressive treatment using a more abrasive handpiece optimizes these molecular remodeling effects.
- Medium-grit microdermabrasion did not achieve comparable dermal remodeling in photodamaged skin.