Dermabrasion, or surgical skin planing, is a procedure in which the skin is frozen and then a specialized instrument
is used to "sand" the skin. This abrasive or planing action improves skin contour as a new layer of skin replaces the treated skin.
The new skin generally has a smoother appearance.
The procedure is performed by a dermatologic surgeon.
When Is Dermabrasion Used?
When dermabrasion was first developed, it was used predominantly to improve acne scars, pox marks and scars resulting
from accidents or disease. Today, it is used to treat other skin conditions, such as tattoo scars, age (liver) spots,
wrinkles and skin lesions.
Dermabrasion is not effective in treating congenital skin defects, most moles or pigmented
birthmarks, or scars due to burns.
What Happens Prior To the Dermabrasion Procedure?
During the consultation,
the dermatologic surgeon describes the type of anesthesia to be used, the procedure and what results might realistically be
expected. The doctor also explains the possible risks and complications that may occur. Photographs are taken before and
after surgery to help evaluate the amount of improvement. Preoperative and postoperative instructions are given to the
patient at this time.
How Does Dermabrasion Work?
Dermabrasion can be performed in the dermatologic surgeon's
office or in an outpatient surgical facility. Medication to relax the patient may be given prior to surgery. The affected
area is thoroughly cleansed with an antiseptic cleansing agent and then your doctor will apply a special spray is applied
that freezes the skin.
A high-speed rotary instrument with an abrasive wheel or brush is used to remove the outer layers
of the skin and improve any irregularities in the skin surface.
What Happens After Dermabrasion?
After the procedure, your skin will feel as though it has been severely "brush-burned" for a few days. Your doctor
can prescribe or recommend medications to help reduce any discomfort you may have, such as an over-the-counter pain
reliever. Healing usually occurs within seven to ten days.
The newly formed skin, which is pink at first, gradually
develops a normal color. In most cases, the pinkness largely fades by six to eight weeks. Makeup can be used as a cover-up
as soon as the skin is healed.
Generally, most people can resume their normal activities in seven to 14 days after
dermabrasion. Patients are instructed to avoid unnecessary direct and indirect sunlight for three to six months after
the procedure, and to use sunscreen on a regular basis when outdoors.
Acne is a localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of oil glands at the
base of hair follicles. This inflammation, depending on its location, can take the form
of a superficial pustule (contains pus), a pimple, a deeper cyst, congested pores, whiteheads, or blackheads. Treatments vary depending on the severity of the acne.
Rosacea is a skin disease that causes redness of the forehead, chin, and lower half of the nose. In addition to inflammation of the facial skin, symptoms include dilation of the blood vessels and pimples (acne rosacea) in the middle third of the face. Oral and topical antibiotics are treatments for rosacea. If left untreated, rhinophyma (a disfiguring nose condition) may result.
Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common skin disorder in which small white or red bumps appear around hair follicles on the upper arms, thighs, buttocks, and cheeks. The cause of KP is unknown. There is no cure for keratosis pilaris, and the condition may resolve on its own. Gentle exfoliation, professional manual extraction, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion, along with topical products, are the best treatments for this condition.
Stretch marks occur in the dermis, the elastic middle layer of skin that allows it to retain its shape. When the skin is constantly stretched, the dermis can break down, leaving behind stretch marks.
Birthmarks and other abnormal skin pigmentation is caused by the body's inability to produce enough melanin. Abnormal skin pigmentation can cause conditions such as vitiligo, pigmentation loss, melasma, albinism, port wine stains, macular stains and hemangioma.
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury. The depth and size of the wound incision and the location of the injury impact the scar's characteristics, but your age, heredity and even sex or ethnicity will affect how your skin reacts.
Wrinkles, whether they be fine line or deep furrows, typically appear on areas of the body that receive a high amount of exposure to the sun. Smoking, light skin type, hairstyle, the way you dress, your occupational and recreational habits, and heredity are all factors that promote wrinkling. Medical treatments for wrinkles include antioxidants, moisturizers, alpha-hydroxy acids, and vitamin A acid. Cosmetic procedures that treat wrinkles include dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, glycolic acid peels, laser resurfacing, Botox, and fillers.
Microdermabrasion is a very popular, machine-assisted skin-exfoliating
treatment. Microdermabrasion has advantages of low risk and rapid recovery
compared to the other more invasive resurfacing methods such as dermabrasion,
chemical peeling, and laser resurfacing. Since microdermabrasion produces only a
very superficial depth of skin removal, it works best on improving conditions on
the surface of the skin such as early photoaging (sun damage), fine lines, age
spots, enlarged pores, acne, and superficial scarring. Although the face is the
most common area for microdermabrasion, any skin area, including neck, chest,
back, and hands, may be treated. Microdermabrasion is sometimes referred to as "microderm," lunchtime peel, Parisian Peel, and Diamond Peel.
Microdermabrasion is a painless, noninvasive, skin-rejuvenation procedure
using a combination of a fine abrasive tip or crystals and vacuum suction
applied to the ...
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