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 scarred 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.
Both dermabrasion and dermaplaning can be performed on small areas of skin or on the entire face. They can be used alone, or in conjunction with other procedures such as facelift, scar removal or revision, or chemical peel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dermabrasion
When can Dermabrasion be performed?
Dermabrasion is generally performed anywhere from 15 on up. Although if needed in lesion removal younger patients are accepted. However, many children have undergone dermabrasion for different ailments and not just for cosmetic reasons.
What should I expect post-treatment?
You may be groggy from the anesthetic and or oral medications and probably won’t remember much of the first day or two if you were sedated. You will have to take it easy and sleep on two pillows to keep your head elevated for 7-14 days — or however long your surgeon suggests. When you wake up you will notice that your face may look even more swollen in the first 3 days. But, as the days go on the swelling will dissipate. There may be some bruising, but this will go away, as well. So make a mental note of this or you may be shocked into a depression. Bruising and swelling are a normal occurrence in most invasive procedures. In dermabrasion, there is marked redness and weeping (wound seepage).
There will be redness and slight discomfort post-operatively. Your surgeon will have instructed you on the proper care of your treatment area as well as prescribed you the necessary antibiotics and pain medications to help alleviate your discomfort. The swelling can be alleviated with ice packs. You may be instructed to apply ice (not directly on skin), gel masks and vinegar soaks on your treatment area for the first 48 hours.
Your healing time totally depends upon the depth of your treatment. You can expect to be down for at least 1-2 weeks — unless the treatment is very superficial.
Does Dermabrasion hurt?
It can be painful, so expect some discomfort — even as little as a windburn or as much as a bad sunburn. Excessive movement of the treatment area can cause cracking and bleeding as well as scarring if the aforementioned occurs. Please discuss this with your surgeon and remember pain thresholds are vary.
When will I be able to see the results?
You will start noticing pink, fresh skin emerging after your skin begins to heal. Remember not to pull or rub any peeling or crusting skin. Within a few weeks the redness will fade for most, light treatments. Depending upon the depth of the treatment you may have lingering pinkness which may look like a mild sunburn or flushed appearance. Your physician will go over what to expect for the depth of the treatment you undergo.
What are the risks of Dermabrasion?
Ascertain that your surgeon discusses all of the risks and complications with you at your consultation. There could be allergic reactions to the anesthetic. Just make sure that you disclose your medical history and this is very important — your nationality. If you are susceptible to Keloid scarring or have active skin infections or afflictions such as herpes outbreaks, you may not be a good candidate for Dermabrasion.
Very Important
If you have a history of cold sores, herpes or other viral infections please disclose this to your surgeon! After dermabrasion treatments, chemical peels and and laser resurfacing — viral anomalies may spread and severely disfigure the treatment area. You will be placed on anti-viral medications beforehand and continue during the healing phase. Bacterial infections are also a severe risk and even water-borne or plant-borne bacterial infections can severely scar your treatment area if they are exposed to your treatment area.
If your skin is olive, black, brown and even yellow-toned – take care in your choice of resurfacing measures. Dermabrasion, Laser resurfacing and chemical peels can cause noticeable damage to ethnic skins. You should request a “spot test” if you or your doctor are uncertain. You can never be too careful.
There is also the risk of bullae (blisters), milia (or small whiteheads), infection, thicker scar tissue of the treatment area and hypopigmentation as well as hyperpigmentation, as said before. You must also be very careful if you have taken Accutane within the past year and a half (12 to 18 months). Accutane causes dermal thickening and can cause increased chances of keloid-like scarring.
Other questions?
If you have any questions we have not answered here, or would like to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Bato, call us today at +(632) 8725449, +(632) 8746153 or get in touch via Skype®, Yahoo Messenger®, our Live Help utility, or our contact form. We’re here to help!