Aluminum Oxide Crystal Microdermabrasion: A New Technique for Treating Facial Scarring

BACKGROUND Aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion, a newly developed technique, has the advantages of less bleeding, fewer complications, better compliance, and no need for local anesthesia or high surgical skill in comparison with traditional dermabrasion. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the effectiveness of this new technique in the treatment of facial scarring. METHODS A total of 41 patients were treated by this technique during the past 2 years (July 1992 to June 1994). RESULTS All patients treated had good to excellent clinical improvement with 9.10 mean treatment sessions. CONCLUSION From our experience and results, we think aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion is a safe surgical procedure and will be a good supplement to traditional dermabrasion especially in this era of HIV infection.