Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nonlaser Superficial Resurfacing Techniques: Superficial Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Evidence-Based Procedural Dermatology

  • 1576 Accesses

Abstract

Superficial skin resurfacing is the application of various modalities to the skin with the goal of achieving a partial thickness skin injury that penetrates no deeper than the superficial papillary dermis. The approaches to superficial skin resurfacing may be classified into laser based and nonlaser techniques. Some of the most commonly used nonlaser, superficial resurfacing techniques include superficial chemical peels and microdermabrasion (MDA). Indications for superficial resurfacing include photoaging, fine rhytides, ichthyosis, acne vulgaris, melasma, solar lentigenes, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Objective gains from superficial resurfacing are often modest, but these techniques continue to remain extremely popular with patients because of rapid healing (“minimal downtime”), low cost, and minimal risk. Typically, no anesthesia is required. Superficial resurfacing may also be combined with laser modalities. Superficial resurfacing techniques may be used on all Fitzpatrick skin types. These techniques yield the best results when used as a series of treatments combined with diligent use of a home topical regimen and daily photoprotection. As with any esthetic surgical procedure, careful patient selection, thorough patient education, and a mutual understanding of realistic outcomes will lead to the most satisfactory results.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Slavin JW. Considerations in alpha hydroxyl acid peels. Clin Plast Surg. 1998;25(1):45–52; review.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Murad H, Shamban AT, Premo PS. The use of glycolic acid as a peeling agent. Dermatol Clin. 1995;13(2):285–307; review.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Van Scott EJ, Yu RJ. Hyperkeratinization, corneocyte cohesion, and alpha hydroxy acids. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1984;11(5 Pt 1):867–79.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Van Scott EJ, Yu RJ. Control of keratinization with alpha-hydroxy acids and related compounds. I. Topical treatment of ichthyotic disorders. Arch Dermatol. 1974;110(4):586–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Ditre CM, Griffin TD, Murphy GF, Sueki H, Telegan B, Johnson WB, et al. Effects of alpha-hydroxy acids on photoaged skin: a pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996;34 (2 Pt 1):187–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Moy LS, Peace S, Moy RL. Comparison of the effect of various chemical peeling agents in a mini-pig model. Dermatol Surg. 1996;22(5):429–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Butler PE, Gonzalez S, Randolph MA, Kim J, Kollias N, Yaremchuk MJ. Quantitative and qualitative effects of chemical peeling on photo-aged skin: an experimental study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2001;107(1): 222–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Newman N, Newman A, Moy LS, Babapour R, Harris AG, Moy RL. Clinical improvement of photoaged skin with 50% glycolic acid. A double-blind vehicle-controlled study. Dermatol Surg. 1996;22(5):455–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Alam M, Omura NE, Dover JS, Arndt KA. Glycolic acid peels compared to microdermabrasion: a right-left controlled trial of efficacy and patient satisfaction. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28(6):475–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Lim JT, Tham SN. Glycolic acid peels in the treatment of melasma among Asian women. Dermatol Surg. 1997;23(3):177–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Lawrence N, Cox SE, Brody HJ. Treatment of melasma with Jessner’s solution versus glycolic acid: a comparison of clinical efficacy and evaluation of the predictive ability of Wood’s light examination. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997;36(4):589–93.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sarkar R, Kaur C, Bhalla M, Kanwar AJ. The combination of glycolic acid peels with a topical regimen in the treatment of melasma in dark-skinned patients: a comparative study. Dermatol Surg. 2002;28(9):828–32; discussion 832.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Hurley ME, Guevara IL, Gonzales RM, Pandya AG. Efficacy of glycolic acid peels in the treatment of melasma. Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(12):1578–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Coleman WP III, Brody HJ. Efficacy of low-strength glycolic acid application in the treatment of melasma. Arch Dermatol. 2003;139(6):811; author reply 811–2.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Erbil H, Sezer E, Tastan B, Arca E, Kurumlu Z. Efficacy and safety of serial glycolic acid peels and a topical regimen in the treatment of recalcitrant melasma. J Dermatol. 2007;34(1):25–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Sharquie KE, Al-Tikreety MM, Al-Mashhadani SA. Lactic acid as a new therapeutic peeling agent in melasma. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31(2):149–54; discussion 154.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Sharquie KE, Al-Tikreety MM, Al-Mashhadani SA. Lactic acid chemical peels as a new therapeutic modality in melasma in comparison to Jessner’s solution chemical peels. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32(12): 1429–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Wang CM, Huang CL, Hu CT, Chan HL. The effect of glycolic acid on the treatment of acne in Asian skin. Dermatol Surg. 1997;23(1):23–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Atzori L, Brundu MA, Orru A, Biggio P. Glycolic acid peeling in the treatment of acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 1999;12(2):119–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Kim SW, Moon SE, Kim JA, Eun HC. Glycolic acid versus Jessner’s solution: which is better for facial acne patients? A randomized prospective clinical trial of split-face model therapy. Dermatol Surg. 1999; 25(4):270–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Kessler E, Flanagan K, Chia C, Rogers C, Glaser DA. Comparison of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels in the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial acne vulgaris. Dermatol Surg. 2008;34(1): 45–50; discussion 51.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Lee SH, Huh CH, Park KC, Youn SW. Effects of repetitive superficial chemical peels on facial sebum secretion in acne patients. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2006;20(8):964–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Burns RL, Prevost-Blank PL, Lawry MA, Lawry TB, Faria DT, Fivenson DP. Glycolic acid peels for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in black patients. A comparative study. Dermatol Surg. 1997;23(3): 171–4; discussion 175.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Garg VK, Sinha S, Sarkar R. Glycolic acid peels versus salicylic-mandelic acid peels in active acne vulgaris and post-acne scarring and hyperpigmentation: a comparative study. Dermatol Surg. 2009;35(1):59–65.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kempiak SJ, Uebelhoer N. Superficial chemical peels and microdermabrasion for acne vulgaris. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2008;26(3):212–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Akhavan A, Bershad S. Topical acne drugs: review of clinical properties, systemic exposure, and safety. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(7):473–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Lazo ND, Meine JG, Downing DT. Lipids are covalently attached to rigid corneocyte protein envelop existing predominantly as beta-sheets: a solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance study. J Invest Dermatol. 1995;105(2):296–300.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Rawlings A, Harding C, Watkinson A, Banks J, Ackerman C, Sabin R. The effect of glycerol and humidity on desmosome degradation in stratum corneum. Arch Dermatol Res. 1995;5:457–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Imayama S, Ueda S, Isoda M. Histologic changes in the skin of hairless mice following peeling with salicylic acid. Arch Dermatol. 2000;136(11):1390–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Grimes PE. The safety and efficacy of salicylic acid chemical peels in darker racial-ethnic groups. Dermatol Surg. 1999;25(1):18–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Lee HS, Kim IH. Salicylic acid peels for the treatment of acne vulgaris in Asian patients. Dermatol Surg. 2003;29(12):1196–9; discussion 1199.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Ahn HH, Kim IH. Whitening effect of salicylic acid peels in Asian patients. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32(3): 372–5; discussion 375.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Hashimoto Y, Suga Y, Mizuno Y, Hasegawa T, Matsuba S, Ikeda S, et al. Salicylic acid peels in polyethylene glycol vehicle for the treatment of comedogenic acne in Japanese patients. Dermatol Surg. 2008;34(2):276–9; discussion 279.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Dainichi T, Ueda S, Imayama S, Furue M. Excellent clinical results with a new preparation for chemical peeling in acne: 30% salicylic acid in polyethylene glycol vehicle. Dermatol Surg. 2008;34(7):891–9; discussion 899.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Monheit GD. Chemical peels. Skin Therapy Lett. 2004;9:6–11.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ejaz A, Raza N, Iftikhar N, Muzzafar F. Comparison of 30% salicylic acid with Jessner’s solution for superficial chemical peeling in epidermal melasma. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2008;18(4):205–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Monteleone G. Microdermabrasion with aluminum hydroxide powder in scar camouflaging. In: Proceedings of the 3rd meeting of Southern Italy Plastic Surgery Association, Benevento, 9–10 Dec 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  38. ASAPS. 2007 ASAPS statistics: 11.7 million cosmetic procedures in 2007: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports 8% increase in surgical procedures. http://www.surgery.org/press/statistics-2007.php. Accessed 3 Feb 2009.

  39. Tsai RY, Wang CN, Chan HL. Aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion. A new technique for treating facial scarring. Dermatol Surg. 1995;21(6):539–42.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Shim EK, Barnette D, Hughes K, Greenway HT. Microdermabrasion: a clinical and histopathologic study. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(6):524–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Hernandez-Perez E, Ibiett EV. Gross and microscopic findings in patients undergoing microdermabrasion for facial rejuvenation. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(7): 637–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Coimbra M, Rohrich RJ, Chao J, Brown SA. A prospective controlled assessment of microdermabrasion for damaged skin and fine rhytides. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;113(5):1438–43; discussion 1444.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Freedman BM, Rueda-Pedraza E, Waddell SP. The epidermal and dermal changes associated with microdermabrasion. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(12):1031–3; discussion 1033–4.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Hussain MR, Ab-Deif EE, Abdel-Motaleb AA, Zedan H, Abdel-Mequid AM. Chemical peeling and microdermabrasion of the skin: comparative immunohistological and ultrastructural studies. J Dermatol Sci. 2008;52(3):205–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Tan MH, Spencer JM, Pires LM, Ajmeri J, Skover G. The evaluation of aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion for photodamage. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(11):943–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Karimipour DJ, Kang S, Johnson TM, Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, et al. Microdermabrasion: a molecular analysis following a single treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005;52(2):215–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Karimipour DJ, Kang S, Johnson TM, Orringer JS, Hamilton T, Hammerberg C, et al. Microdermabrasion with and without aluminum oxide crystal abrasion: a comparative molecular analysis of dermal remodeling. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;54(3):405–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Lloyd JR. The use of microdermabrasion for acne: a pilot study. Dermatol Surg. 2001;27(4):329–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Bhalla M, Thami GP. Microdermabrasion: reappraisal and brief review of the literature. Dermatol Surg. 2006;32(6):809–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Hospitals, 1910 Taubman Center, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-0314, USA

    John Starling III & Darius J. Karimipour

  2. Dermatology Associates of Wisconsin, S.C., Oshkosh, WI, 54904, USA

    John Starling III

Authors
  1. John Starling III
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Darius J. Karimipour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Starling III .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Aesthetic Surgery, Professor, Departments of Dermatology,, Chief, Section of Cutaneous and, Feinberg School of Med, Northwestern Univ, Chicago, 60611, Illinois, USA

    Murad Alam

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Starling, J., Karimipour, D.J. (2012). Nonlaser Superficial Resurfacing Techniques: Superficial Chemical Peels and Microdermabrasion. In: Alam, M. (eds) Evidence-Based Procedural Dermatology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09424-3_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09424-3_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-09423-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-09424-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation