Dermabrasion involves controlled surgical scraping that
resurfaces the outermost layers of the skin to give a smoother appearance.
It can be done over the full surface of the face or on small areas. Dermabrasion also may be done in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures such as
a chemical peeling or face lift. Dermabrasion is used to treat a range
of skin imperfections including:
Wrinkles and frown lines
Pre-cancerous skin growths (keratoses)
Facial scarring (excluding burn scars, acne
scars)
Post-surgery scarring
Skin pigmentation
Sun damage
Tattoos
Age spots, freckles, acne spots and other acne caused lesions
Procedure: Acne scars dermabrasion uses an abrasive tool to selectively remove
layers of skin and is used to remove damaged skin as seen in wrinkles
,acne scars or other scar types. Some physicians use a hand-held motorized tool with a small
wire brush or diamond-impregnated grinding wheel at the end. Other physicians
prefer to abrade the skin by hand with an abrasive pad or other instrument.
Scars removal is one of the prime uses for micro dermabrasion.
It also can be used to treat wrinkling, surgical scars, acne
caused scar and obliterate tattoos. Even though most people can benefit
from micro dermabrasion for skin resurfacing, there are important factors
to be considered before making a decision. Certain skin conditions respond very well to dermabrasion such as sun damaged skin. Serious acne scar improvement is not significant. Certain category of patients are required for some time before the procedure. One example is those on isotretinoin treatment.
Facial dermabrasion for acne scar resurfacing
does not require much preparation. It is usually performed under local
anesthesia, although some physicians use intravenous sedation or general
anesthesia. The physician begins by marking the areas to be treated and
then chilling them with ice packs. In order to stiffen the skin, a spray
refrigerant is applied to the area, which also helps control pain. Some
physicians prefer to inject the area with a solution of saline and local
anesthetic, which also leaves the skin's surface more solid. Since dermabrasion
can cause quite a bit of bleeding, physicians and their assistants will
wear gloves, gowns, and masks to protect themselves from possible blood-transmitted
infection.
Following
the procedure, an ointment may be applied, and the wound will be covered
with a dressing and mask. Patients with a history of herpes virus infections
will begin taking an antiviral medication to prevent a recurrence. After
24 hours, the dressing is removed, and ointment is reapplied to keep the
wound moist. Patients undergone facial dermabrasion treatment for scarring
removal are encouraged to wash their face with plain water and
reapply ointment every few hours. This relieves itching and pain and helps
remove oozing fluid and other matter. Patients may require a pain medication.
A steroid medication may be taken during the first few days to reduce
swelling. The skin will take a week or more to heal, but may remain very
red.
Effect:
Deep scars such as some surgical lesions scars remain almost unaffected.
The procedure is only advisable to people whose skin has been cleared
from acne for long time. One
study suggest that less postoperative scaling and more rapid healing were
noted with the micro dermabrasion.
Red skin was of longer duration on laser-treated skin. Patients experienced
less pain with procedure of dermabrasion differences that were difficult
to quantify were also noted between the methods. Both dermabrasion and
carbon dioxide laser resurfacing are effective in the treatment of damaged
skin. Serious acne scar is only minimally affected. Acne spots and discolorations show more improvement. Dermabrasion removes the skin's
pigmentation, so it is essential to avoid sun exposure for around
six to 12 months after undergoing the procedure. Each removal procedure
has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consultation with a professional
is of paramount importance before making a decision.
Cost: Dermabrasion facial treatments range from $1500 to $2000. Recovery time at least 2 weeks
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