Microdermabrasion (MDA) is a minimally invasive mechanical exfoliation procedure for superficial skin resurfacing. Most exfoliation modalities in use today can be broadly classified as chemical exfoliants, which include glycolic and salicylic acid peels and mechanical exfoliants. Mechanical exfoliation treatments range from simple microbead scrubs found over the counter, which partially remove the stratum corneum, to operative procedures such as laser resurfacing and dermabrasion, which can ablate the reticular dermis. The depth of resurfacing achieved with MDA is conservatively in the middle of this spectrum. Although MDA exfoliation can vary from superficial thinning of the stratum corneum to penetration into the upper papillary dermis, the target depth for most MDA procedures is removal of the stratum corneum.
