Glycolic Acid Peels Compared to Microdermabrasion for Facial Skin Rejuvenation - Article Example

Glycolic Acid Peels Compared to Microdermabrasion for Facial Skin Rejuvenation Introduction Glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion are generally measured to be of beneficial in facial skin rejuvenation. Few researchers are persuaded that serial glycolic peels only may have a long-standing result on the dermis; this is not an extensively apprehended view and is generally stated in connection with high-concentration peels. In spite of the lack of large, controlled studies, mutually glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion have been supposed to develop skin characteristics in patients either as an individual modality or in permutation with other interferences. Sundamaged skin, fine rhytids, age spots, enlarged pores, and acne prone skin have been amongst the features reported to be reduced. (Bernard, 2000) Literature Review These are the clues for which dermatologists usually propose the treatments of glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion. If we want to know the differences in treatment outcome related with glycolic acid peels associated to microdermabrasion, then there is only one study that suggests that microdermabrasion may be effectual in the treatment of superficial scars. (Tsai, 1995) Microdermabrasion is an effective treatment for acne, fine wrinkles, and solar lentigines. Dry or rough areas become smoother, softer, and more uniform in appearance almost immediately. This technique is variably effective for brown spots, and overaggressive therapy may result in crusting. If an eschar forms, the area is treated with antibiotic ointment. Microdermabrasion is not effective for deep wrinkles and scars, ice pick-type acne scars, melasma, and postinflammatory hyper-pigmentation. On the other hand, glycolic peels have been accounted to be of meticulous benefit in treating diffuse hyper-pigmentation, solar-induced pigments. The glycolic acid peel has demonstrable histological and clinical benefits to facial skin consistency. Glycolic acid preparations are not cosmetics. They are preparations that are chemically formulated to provide effective therapeutic value to the skin. (Akcali, 2000) Microdermabrasion is the mechanical abrasion of the epidermis, accomplished through the use of particulate matter in a closed and pressurized system. In our practice, all procedures are performed by a nurse. The depth of treatment is controlled by 3 variables: the strength of the flow of the crystals, the rate of movement of the hand piece against the skin, and the number of times the device passes over the treatment area. Slower movement and more frequent passes allow the abrasive action of the crystals to work longer; the result is deeper abrasion. The endpoint of treatment should be the onset of erythema. The benefit of microdermabrasion is that it is a non-invasive skin resurfacing technique that is associated with minimal discomfort and rapid healing. Its mild abrasive effect appears to enhance the delivery of vitamins, bleaches, and antioxidants to the dermis. The suction effect might contribute to this phenomenon. Its effects on the epidermis are that fine wrinkles and age spots are diminished and the skin appears more glowing. (Coleman, 1994) The differences in treatment outcome associated with glycolic acid peels compared to microdermabrasion, if any, are poorly described. One study suggested that microdermabrasion may be effectual in the treatment of scars at facial skin. By extension, fine skin surface textural roughness may also be reduced with a series of microdermabrasion treatments. If we study glycolic peels that it has been reported that it has an exacting advantage in treating diffuse hyper-pigmentation, pigmented lesions. (Dinner, 1998) Hypothesis In this study we want to analyse the following hypothesis: Is there any significant difference in the efficacy of glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion for facial skin rejuvenation. Methodology Underlying the purpose and hypothesis of the study conducted, the research design that is selected for the study is an exploratory research design. As explained by Zechmeister et al., (1997) survey research represents a general approach to be used when the research design is implemented. Survey research is the method of gathering data from respondents thought to be representative of some population using an instrument composed of close structure or open-ended items (questions). It is one of the most dominant forms of data collection in the social sciences providing for efficient collection of data over broad populations, amenable to self-administration, administration in person, by telephone, via mail and over the internet. There are many advantages that have been identified in the use of the survey method. According to Babbie (2001), these advantages include: 1. One can collect a large amount of adapt in a fairly short time. 2. Surveys are easier and less expensive than other forms of data collection. 3. Questionnaire can be used to research almost any aspect of human perceptions regarding the variables under study. 4. They can be easily used on field settings. Expected Participants The population of interest for this study will include approximately 100 randomly selected women having age from 25-40 years as a treatment group who had never received any type of facial skin treatment before will be recruited from the managerial and support staff of a multi-physician. The reason behind selected the age group of 25-40 years is that, in this age group women usually become more conscious and the wants the proper treatment for the betterment of their skin. For the purpose of study a form of non-probability sampling used. As explained by Trochim (2001), in purposive sampling, the researcher samples with a purpose in mind from one or more specific and predefined groups, believed to be representative of the larger population of interest. Trochim (2001), noted that one of the benefits of purposive sampling is that it can be very useful for situations in which the researcher wants to reach a targeted group that otherwise might not be readily available. Expected Apparatus The photographs will be taken just after the 1st treatment and then after a week of last treatment. Physicians will rate the irregularity and appearance of each half of the face from the pre and post photographs. Along with it the instrument will be use in this study is the questionnaire consists of few demographic questions and other question will be regarding the change that they will feel before and after the treatment. Five point Likert scale for measure used in questions in which 1 = most worsening, 3 = no change and 5 = most improvement. A well design questionnaire is critical for achieving the purposes of survey research. Additionally, concerns with validity (i.e. the degree to which an instrument measures what it was intended to measure) and reliability (i.e. the degree to which an instrument provides measurements that are consistent and accurate) must always be at the forefront of the questionnaire selection/construction process. Expected Procedure It is to be suggested that on the left and right side of the face of selected women the six sets of glycolic acid and microdermabrasion that will be applied in order to analyze the compare the difference among them and pre and post difference after doing experiment. Gap between repeated treatments will be neither more than eight nor fewer than six days. There will be no control group as the purpose of the study is to compare the glycolic acid peels and microdermabrasion of the facial skin, so here we just have the treatment group. Treatments will be performed by two of the investigators and they will also administrate the treatment procedure. Glycolic acid will be smoothly applied with the help of a nylon brush during the treatments of peel, and it would be remain for 4 minutes in order to neutralization with propylene glycol in water. By using the same device, will be used for microdermabrasion treatments. After treatment, patients will be asked to lightly moisturize their face. The survey method will be used as the means by which data will be collect within the study. Prior to initiating the data collection phase of the study, permission to conduct the survey, will be obtained from appropriate officials. Data collection will commence once approval granted. Questionnaires and the cover letter explaining the purpose of the survey and anonymity associated with participation in the survey will be distributed to participants and will collect from them upon completion of the questionnaire. In order to process and organize the data, a database is created by using a computer data base software program, (i.e., SPSS). The questionnaire selected has a scale response format, which allow for a number to be assigned for which response given for each item. For each respondent, the numerical response provided for each item as well as descriptive data obtained during survey, then entered into the database during the data-coding phase of the study. Within the study following the recommendations of Torchim (2001) statistical analysis are conducted through a progression or series of analysis using the SPSS. During the initial phase descriptive statistics is used to describe and summarize the data obtained within the study. The second phase of analysis will be focused on the use of multivariate analysis to determine the relationship between specific items. This will be conducted through the use of cross tabulation of nominal data between selected variables in the study. References Tsai RY, Wang CN, Chan HL. (1995). Aluminum oxide crystal microdermabrasion. A new technique for treating facial scarring. Dermatol Surg;21:539–42. Trochim, W. (2001). The research methods knowledge base, 1st edition. OH: Atomic Dog Publishing, 23-25. Babbie, E. R. (1990). Survey Research Methods. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Pub. Co., 11-16 Zechmeister, E. B. (1997). A practical introduction to research methods in psychology (3rd Ed.) NY: Mc Graw Hill, 18-20. Bernard RW, Beran SJ, Rusin L. (2000). Microdermabrasion in clinical practice. Clin Plast Surg;27:571-577. Dinner MI, Artz JS. (1998). The art of the trichloroacetic acid chemical peel. Clin Plast Surg;25:53-62. Akcali C, Erbagci Z. (2000). Biweekly serial glycolic peels vs. long-term daily use of topical low-strength glycolic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars. Int J Dermatol;39:789–94. Coleman WP III, Futrell JM. (1994). The glycolic acid trichloroacetic acid peel. J Dermatol Surg Oncol; 20:76–80. Read More