Micro Dermabrasion Regulations

Microdermabrasion is not a procedure that should be taken lightly. It involves therapeutic damage to the outer layers of skin and should only be undertaken by licensed professionals. Micro dermabrasion regulations are usually enforced by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and by various cosmetic surgery organizations. Unfortunately, since the entire procedure is fairly new, the regulations tend to vary from state to state.

For instance, Florida allows spa professionals to perform microdermabrasion on the head, neck, and scalp. Meanwhile, the State of South Carolina requires that a doctor supervise the procedure. Then there's California, where the State hands out licenses to perform microdermabrasion only for the epidermis. Most of the variation is the result of diverse levels of training between microdermabrasion operators. Though several blanket agencies like the National Coalition of Esthetician and Related Associations (NCEA) push for unified training in microdermabrasion, but it's difficult to keep track of every practice in the country.

One of the few states with a unified training regulation is Colorado, where cosmetologists and estheticians can perform the procedure only after a 14-hour training course at a vocational school. Ultimately, unified training will lead to greater safety for the patient and fewer liabilities for the practitioner. For now, a potential patient should be cautious about jumping headlong into the procedure.

The Food and Drug Administration classifies microdermabrasion as a category 1 prescription cosmetic device. That means it is intended only to affect the outer layer of skin. Microdermabrasion is therefore not intended to alter the skin's structure or function. However, an unskilled practitioner could accidentally strip away deeper skin layers with an improper technique. That's where the danger of permanent skin damage lies.

The purchase and sale of microdermabrasion machines is loosely regulated, with most manufacturers offering some training to buyers. On the whole, a professional model is weaker than a full-fledged medical dermabrasion device, so the danger of cutting into the skin is lower. Since there are a variety of machines out there, patients should investigate the pros and cons of each device offered by different surgeons.

With the state of microdermabrasion regulations in a mild state of disarray, the onus is unfortunately on the customers to ensure that the practitioner is well trained and has equipment that is maintained and effective. Caution will win the day when it comes to finding the right microdermabrasion specialist for you.