Microdermabrasion can cause several different changes to the epidermis. These changes often make the epidermis layer look healthier and are seen before any changes to the dermis are noticeable. First, the thickness is increased because new cells are being reproduced more rapidly and larger in size. Second, the cells in the lower epidermis are knitted more closely together resulting in plumper skin reducing the appearance of skin imperfections. The barrier function of the epidermis is disrupted in the first 24 hours causing the skin to be drier, however, after 7 days the skin is more hydrated than before.
Other effects occur on the dermis. This layer has the most dramatic changes for the better. After a series of treatments, the dermal layer also gets a bit thicker. Along with the increase in thickness, collagen fibers become thicker and increase in number. They are packed tighter and organized more consistently. The numbers of elastic fibers also increase, and their orientation changes to vertical instead of horizontal causing more of a spring to the dermis. The fibroblasts cells also increase in number and size. These are the cells that make up the collagen