Effect of microdermabrasion on barrier capacity of stratum corneum.

A new microdermabrasion system is used for peeling the stratum corneum in a controlled manner. The system uses inert corundum powders under various degrees of vacuum. The fine corundum powders ejected by suction power, being quickly in contact with the skin surface, abrade and remove a tiny fragment of stratum corneum. The fraction of the stratum corneum removed by microdermabrasion can be controlled by the operating conditions; the duration of application (L) and the degree of vacuum setting (V). The stratum corneum barrier function with respect to the rate of skin penetration is well correlated by the product of the square of the degree of the vacuum and the duration of the probe setting.