Dermabrasion is performed to improve the top layers of the skin through a mechanical process (controlled surgical scraping) helping to give a smoother appearance to the skin.  It is used for scars from accidents, acne or previous surgery, facial wrinkles and pre cancerous growhts as keratoses.

This technique can be used alone or in combination with other procedures according to your needs.  A chemical peel may be recommended to treat wrinkles, while this one is more for deeper imperfections such as acne scars and for patients with darker skin, because although it can produce some skin color changes it is less common than with a chemical peel. 

You can experience a flare up of viral infections such as Herpes after the procedure.  It is not recommended during active stages of acne, in radiation treatments, bad skin burn o previous chemical peel.

Posible Complications

The most common risk is change in skin pigmentation, including permanent darkening of the skin due to sun exposure in the days or months following the surgery.  In dark colored or asian skin a little lighter or patchy appearance may appear.  Freckles could also disappear in the treated area.  You may also experience enlarged skin pores which will come back to normal size when the swelling is subsides. 

You may experience flare up of viral infections such as herpres after the procedure.  It is not recommended during active stages of acne, radiation treatments, bad skin burn or previous chemical peel for increase risk of infection.  It is posible to develop infection and scarring (including keloid or hypertrophic scars) after the procedure even with ideal conditions before the treatment.

Before Dermabrasion

First you should find a qualified doctor (usually a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist) to perform the procedure because sometimes it is offered by people without a medical license.  Insurance usually do not cover this procedure, but when is performed to remove pre cancerous skin growths or extensive scars you should check with them if then may cover it.

You will receive instructions about eating, drinking, medications and smoking before and after the procedure, you should follow them completely to minimize risk of complications. 

The Surgery

Dermabrasion is usually performed in a surgeon's office based facility in an outpatient basis, generally under local anesthesia and sedation, but hospital admission and general anesthesia could be needed in more extended cases and when is associated with other procedures.

The procedure takes from minutes to an hour and a half, the final results can be achieved in different sessions, specially when scarring is deep or a large area is involved.  The surgeon will remove the outer layer of skin with a rough wire brush or a burr containingdiamond particles attached to a motorized handle, the process is done untill a safe level that can make the scar or wrinkle less visible.  There is also another technique performed with an instrument called dermatome, dermaplaning.  With this instrument, that can resemble an electric razor, its blade will remove the outer layer of skin, it is more used for acne scars.

When the procedure is done, your surgeon could apply an ointment, wet or waxy dressing, dry treatment or a combination of these.

The Results

You may experience discomfort and swelling after the procedure, eating and talking may be difficult at the beginning, but pain control medications prescribed by your surgeon should be enough to bring you relief.  The swelling will begin to disappear in couple of days to a week.  The treated skin will look like the scrapes when you fall down, a crust will form and it will fall of by itself as the pink new skin forms underneath, you shouldn't remove this crust, sometimes if an oitment is applied immediately after surgery. 

If you feel that the treated areas go worst instead of improving you should call your surgeon inmediately so he or she can start the proper measures as soon as posible.  You should follow all your surgeon's intructions, including delaying shaving for a shile and to use electric razors when you start to shave again.   

You can return to your normal activities in couple of weeks, your skin may be a bit swellen, sensitive and bright pink at the beginning but it will become gradually to normal.  You should avoid contact or ball sports, sun exposure and chlorinated water from pools for at least 4 to 6 weeks, during this time is normal to experience a flush or redness while drinking alcohol.  Sun protection may be needed for even 12 months after the procedure.