Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a dermatological technique used to improve the appearance of superficial scars, wrinkles, and sun damage. The procedure involves the use of a sterile wire brush or diamond wand to vigorously abrade the top layers of the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. The new layer of skin that is revealed is smoother and more uniform in texture than the damaged skin that it replaced. Dermabrasion has been used successfully to treat mild to moderate acne scars, wrinkles, age spots, large pores, stretch marks, shallow scars, and rhinophyma (abnormally enlarged nose). This technique is usually only applied to relatively small areas of the skin and should not be done on large body surfaces. Prior to the procedure, it is important to make sure that the patient is not taking any medications that may interfere with the healing process. It is also important to state if the patient has any allergies, skin infections, or any other skin disorders that may need to be treated prior to the dermabrasion procedure. During the procedure, the skin will be wiped with an antiseptic solution. Once the skin is completely clean, the dermabrasion instrument will be applied to the affected area. The speed of the rotary instrument will be adjusted for each individual case, depending on the extent of the scarring or wrinkles. The procedure is usually very well tolerated and only requires local anesthetic. After the procedure, the skin is likely to be red and swollen for up to a week. The patient may also experience a mild sunburn-like sensation. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions regarding wound care and cleansing to reduce any risk of infection. The patient is also likely to experience some irritation and peeling of the skin in the treated area, which should subside after a few days. After healing is complete, the patient should experience improved skin texture and appearance.