​About this fact sheet

Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive cosmetic skin treatment that removes the top layer of skin using water, crystals, or diamonds through a handheld device. The procedure should be performed by trained persons, and it is typically used to treat skin conditions such as wrinkles, acne, sun-induced pigmentation, scars, and stretch marks. Appropriate infection prevention and control practices should be followed, particularly if skin trauma or bleeding occurs.

Equipment

• All equipment should be in good working order and be cleaned and dried after each use and stored in a clean and dry condition.
• If equipment is exposed to blood or penetrates the skin, it must undergo a valid sterilisation process in line with AS5369:2023   Reprocessing of reusable medical devices and other devices in health and non-health related facilities. (please see the fact sheet How to clean and sterilise reusable equipment and instruments) before it can be reused.
• Plastic microdermabrasion heads cannot be sterilised and should be disposed of after use on each person.
  Equipment that is difficult to clean and sterilise should be single use.
• Clean towels and linen must be used for each new client. Linen should be washed in detergent and hot water. If an impervious cover is used (such as plastic), it must be cleaned and disinfected before it is used for each new client.

Business hygiene

• The business needs to be kept in a clean condition, and it should be designed and constructed so that it can be easily and correctly cleaned.
• Treatment areas such as benches need to be cleaned between each client and/or a clean covering placed over the treatment surface.
• The business should have documented cleaning and maintenance procedures for the fixtures, fittings and equipment, and staff need to be trained in these procedures.
• All waste should be tightly bagged and disposed of daily.
• To prevent cross-contamination, all liquids and creams should be decanted into single-use containers, and a single-use applicator must be used for each person.
• Do not apply microdermabrasion treatments if a person has broken skin, a skin infection, or over an area where blood has been drawn.

Personal hygiene for microdermabrasion technicians

• Microdermabrasion technicians should wear a clean gown or apron and single-use gloves during the procedure.
• Cuts or wounds should be covered with a sealed waterproof bandage.
• Hands should be washed:
• ­before and after attending to a client
• ­before and after a procedure
• ­after exposure to a body substance
• ­after touching a client's surroundings
• ­after the removal of gloves.
• See the Hand Hygiene Australia websitefor additional information on how to wash your hands.

Further advice

• Contact your local council.
• Contact your local Public Health Unit by calling 1300 066 055.