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Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning help to "refinish" the
skin's top layers through a method of controlled
surgical scraping. The treatments soften the sharp edges
of surface irregularities, giving the skin a smoother
appearance.
Dermabrasion is most often used to improve the look of
facial skin left by accidents or previous surgery, or to
smooth out fine facial wrinkles, such as those around
the mouth. It's also sometimes used to remove the
pre-cancerous growths called keratoses. Dermaplaning is
commonly used to treat deep acne scars.
CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES
If you're planning "surface repairs" on your face, you
may also be considering chemical peel, an alternative
method of surgically removing the top layer of skin.
However, dermabrasion and dermaplaning use surgical
instruments to remove the affected skin layers, while
chemical peel uses a caustic solution.
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR DERMABRASION
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning can enhance your
appearance and your self-confidence, but neither
treatment will remove all scars and flaws or prevent
aging. Before you decide to have a skin-refinishing
treatment, think carefully about your expectations and
discuss them with your surgeon.
Men and women of all ages, from young people to older
adults, can benefit from dermabrasion and dermaplaning.
Although older people heal more slowly, more important
factors are your skin type, coloring, and medical
history. For example, black skin, Asian skin, and other
dark complexions may become permanently discolored or
blotchy after a skin-refinishing treatment. People who
develop allergic rashes or other skin reactions, or who
get frequent fever blisters or cold sores, may
experience a flare-up. If you have freckles, they may
disappear in the treated area.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning are normally safe when
they're performed by a qualified, experienced
board-certified physician. The most common risk is a
change in skin pigmentation. Permanent darkening of the
skin, usually caused by exposure to the sun in the days
or months following surgery, may occur in some patients.
On the other hand, some patients find the treated skin
remains a little lighter or blotchy in appearance.
You may develop tiny whiteheads after surgery. These
usually disappear on their own, or with the use of an
abrasive pad or soap; occasionally, the surgeon may have
to remove them. You may also develop enlarged skin
pores; these usually shrink to near normal size once the
swelling has subsided.
While infection and scarring are rare with
skin-refinishing treatments, they are possible. Some
individuals develop excessive scar tissue (keloid or
hypertrophic scars); these are usually treated with the
application or injection of steroid medications to
soften the scar.
THE SURGERY
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning can be performed fairly
quickly. The procedures usually take from a few minutes
to an hour and a half, depending on how large an area of
skin is involved. It's not uncommon for the procedure to
be performed more than once, or in stages, especially
when scarring is deep or a large area of skin is
involved.
In dermabrasion, the surgeon scrapes away the outermost
layer of skin with a rough wire brush, or a burr
containing diamond particles, attached to a motorized
handle. The scraping continues until the surgeon reaches
the safest level that will make the scar or wrinkle less
visible.
In dermaplaning, the surgeon uses a hand-held instrument
called a dermatome. Resembling an electric razor, the
dermatome has an oscillating blade that moves back and
forth to evenly "skim" off the surface layers of skin
that surround the craters or other facial defects. This
skimming continues until the lowest point of the acne
scar becomes more even with the surrounding skin.
The surgeon may then treat the skin in a number of ways,
including ointment, a wet or waxy dressing, dry
treatment, or some combination of these.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
Right after the procedure, your skin will be quite red
and swollen, and eating and talking may be difficult.
You'll probably feel some tingling, burning, or aching;
any pain you feel can be controlled with medications
prescribed by your surgeon. The swelling will begin to
subside in a few days to a week.
If you remember the scrapes you got when you fell down
as a child, you'll have an idea of what to expect from
this type of surgery. A scab or crust will form over the
treated area as it begins to heal. This will fall off as
a new layer of tight, pink skin forms underneath. Your
face may itch as new skin starts to grow, and your
surgeon may recommend an ointment to make you more
comfortable. If ointment is applied immediately after
surgery, little or no scab will form.
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