Dermabrasion is a procedure in where the outer layer of the skin (the stratum corneum) is scraped away, to allow new, smoother skin to grow.
The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia and a sedative. (For more severe treatments, the general anesthesia may be used so that the patient sleeps through the procedure.) First, the skin is cleansed with antiseptic agent. Next, the skin may be sprayed with a numbing liquid or cooling liquid, and ice packs may be applied to help numb the area. To perform the dermabrasion, the doctor runs a hand-held, high-speed rotating device evenly over the skin. This device has an abrasive cone-shaped attachment – either a rough wire brush or a burr covered in diamond particles. The procedure can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the depth and size of skin being treated.
After the procedure, the treatment area will appear red and raw-looking before forming a scab. This scab will peel off in about a week, revealing new, pink skin. Recovery may take several months – discoloration and swelling will resolve over time. During the recovery period, patients are advised to only use hypoallergenic makeup. Most patient can return to normal activities in seven to ten days. The new skin is generally healed by 12 weeks.
Dermabrasion is useful for removing raised scars, sun-damaged skin, and dark spots.
For less severe cases, a more gentle procedure called Microdermabrasion is used.
* Corrects rough skin texture
* Minimizes some types of scarring
* Evens out pigmentation
* Fades age (liver) spots
* Removes or improves whiteheads and black heads
* Improves some stretch marks and fine wrinkles
* Can be used on all skin types and skin tones