The skin is an extremely complex organ that actually derives from the same tissue, in the embryo, as the brain. With this in mind it is easy to correlate the many sense organs in the skin with the development of the nervous system. Psychologically, the skin represents our barrier from the external world; it acts to separate us from them. Our skin protects us and mirrors our many moods (blushing, goose bumps, etc.). Our self-image is dependant on the appearance of our skin.

Seeing the importance of this organ, skin blemishes that may appear insignificant from a clinical point of view, have the capacity to alter, sometimes deeply, a person's self concept. Using non-invasive methods to improve the appearance of the skin can have a dramatic influence on the quality of a person's life.

• Pathologies
• Microdermabrasion
• Cutaneous Aging
• Microdermabrasion Applications
• Classic Techniques of Microdermabrasion

Pathologies

The following pathologies of the skin have a tendency to undermine a person's self-concept. The skin's appearance directly correlates with underlying psychological issues that affect their social life and social interactions. To name just a few:

•    Post acne scars
•    Stretch marks
•    Fine wrinkles
•   Cutaneous aging

Research Developed during the last ten years has been aimed at setting up systems designed to improve people's appearance. Much progress has been made in the area of  esthetic surgery. They are now paying particular attention to very small lesion, realizing the impact that they have on a person's well being. The objects of these treatments are no longer restricted to lesions of considerable dimensions, but the consequent psychological implications.

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Microdermabrasion

In addition to the above mentioned surgical approach, there are other less-invasive technique available designed to improve the skin's appearance. These all fall into one definitive category methodologies of microdermabrasion. The skin tissue they affect are the Epithelial and Connective Tissues.

Skin:- also referred to as the integument, it consists of two layers: the multi-layered epithelial epidermis and the fibrous dermis. The dermis is continuous below with the fatty, fibrous superficial fascia.

Epidermis:- the outermost layer of the skin, it is characterized by five different strata:

• Basale year
• Spinosum layer
• Granulosum layer
• Lucidum layer
• Corneum layer

Dermis:- deep to the epidermis, it acts as a supporting structure and houses the blood vessels and lymphatic that reach up through the papillae of connective tissue to deliver nutrients to the avascular epidermis

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Considering simply the skin's aging process, we can effectively identify the following alternatives:

A. Epidermic Alterations

1. Increased thickness
2. Decreased number of  melanocytes

B. Alterations of the Dermic/Epidermic Junction

1. Where injury and scarring results, it is a thickness of the junction between the dermis and epidermis causing a protrusion

C. Dermic Alteration

1. Degeneration of elastic fibers thereby the skin's elasticity
2. Deep alteration of the collagen fibers
3. Increased number of undisolvable collagen
4. Decreased number and activity of fibroblasts
5. Alteration of the fundamental substance's composition
6. Diminished vascularization

Affecting positive results to the above problems can be achieved easily, without painful side effects, with microdermabrasion. This method involves the removal of the epithelial stratum corneum. This action initiates a myotic stimulus for the cells of the stratum basale to accelerate cellular turnover. The skin then goes to work producing healthy cells to replace the ones lost in the exfoliation. When deeper exfoliation is necessary, such as the removal of tattos, permanent make-up, and deeper scars, using  Bio-Therapeutic Computer's microcurrent machine in conjuction with Bio-Brasion^TM can have a measurable effect on reducing the side-effects common to such procedures such as inflammation, redness, etc. Eliminating the skin abnormalities can have as equally a profound effect on that person's sense of self.

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Chemical Dermabrasion

Chemical dermabrasion is the use of a chemical substance to cause the exfoliation of the thinner and thicker portions of the corneous layer of the skin. It is necessary to keep in mind that each chemical mixture is characterized by well-defined chemical activities, for which both the final results, and the post operational symptomology, are directly caused by this chemical activity. This means that in each case, the use of a chemical substance in order to obtain an epidermal exfoliation is always accompanied by an intense inflammatory reaction, which can be very dangerous, as the chemical mixture is active on the skin.

Mechanical Dermabrasion

Mechanical dermabrasion uses the action of a small, rotating wire brush or diamond fraise to abrade the cutaneous surface of the skin. It is evident that such actions are extremely effective from the quantitative point of view, however, the side effects are imposing. With the wire brush diamond fraise, it is extremely difficult to limit their action to the corneous stratum of the epidermis. Their powerful abrading action requires a level of precision from the hand of the operating surgeon (in the order of fractions of millimeters), that is impossible to perform. The consequence of using this device is characterized by a post-operative inflammatory reaction that can be severe.

Retin A

This is the commercial name given to Vitamin A, and is used extensively by dermatologists to reduce the fine lines found particularly around the eyes and mouth. Due to the application of incorrect concentration of Retin A, left on for too long, or if the skin is more sensitive than expected, the acid exfoliates beyond the corneous stratum layer of the epidermis. Collagen then floods the area, interstitial fluids and blood may accumulate causing inflammation, and skin may redden.

Glycolic / AHA / Fruit Acids

These are natural, gentle acids that are usually mixed with various skin care products in variable concentration, used extensively by the home market. Acids burns could result from the product concentration being too high, especially if the skin is sensitive. If the mixture is left on for too long due or there is inadequate cleansing and neutralization after the treatment, the result is "burned" condition, redness, inflammation and scarring in extreme cases.

Microdermabrasion is a system that uses a vacuum pump with a compressor to abrade the skin using a controlled, rapid flow of inert corundum power crystals. The obtained effect is made possible by the sharp edges of the crystals, which act to strike the tissue. It is characterized by a minor, traumatic action, and by very high precision, which is not obtained by any of the other available techniques. The first big difference between the controlled Bio-Brasion and the alternative techniques (mechanical and chemical dermabrasion) is therefore already clear: the immediate post-treatment phase symptoms (pain and erythema), is totally absent in the majority of the cases, and there is infinitely reduced trauma associated with the treatment. The characteristics are reflected in a post operation period in which undesired and collateral effects are almost entirely lacking. This allows the patient to resume his or her normal activities just a few minutes after the treatment. Also, if for some reason the skin was abraded more than planned in a particular area, there is a companion microcurrent device that assists the client's rapid return to their social life. The unsightliness caused by over-abrading the skin can be greatly minimized by utilizing a microcurrent treatment immediately following the microdermabrasion.

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