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Bid for Surgery: Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion and
Refinishing the Skin
| Procedure: |
Mechanical scraping of the top layers of
skin using a
high-speed rotary wheel. Softens sharp edges of
surface irregularities, including acne and other scars
and fine wrinkles, especially around the mouth. |
| Risk Factor: |
Abnormal color changes (permanent). Tiny
whiteheads (temporary); infection; scarring; flare-up of skin allergies, fever blisters,
cold sores. |
| Side Effects: |
Temporary tingling, burning, itching,
swelling, redness. Lightening of treated skin. Acute sensitivity to sun; loss of ability
to make pigment (tan). |
| Length: |
A few minutes to 1 hour. May require more
than 1
session. |
| Anesthesia: |
Local, numbing spray, or general. |
| In/Out: |
Usually outpatient. |
| Recovery: |
Back to work: 2 weeks. More strenuous
activities:
4 to 6 weeks. Fading of redness: about 3 months.
Return of pigmentation/sun exposure: 6 to 12 months. |
| Duration: |
Permanent, although new wrinkles may form
as skin
ages. |
| The Procedure |
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.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.
Many surgeons perform all three procedures, selecting one or a combination of procedures
to suit the individual patient and the problem. Others prefer one technique for all
surface repairs. In general, chemical peel is used more often to treat fine wrinkles, and
dermabrasion and dermaplaning for deeper imperfections such as acne scars. A non-chemical
approach may also be preferred for individuals with slightly darker skin, especially when
treating limited areas of the face, since dermabrasion and dermaplaning are less likely to
produce extreme changes and contrasts in skin color. |
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| The best candidates for a Refreshing the
skin |
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.
In addition, most surgeons won't perform treatment during the active stages of acne
because of a greater risk of infection. The same may be true if you've had radiation
treatments, a bad skin burn, or a previous chemical peel. |
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| Types of anesthesia |
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning may be performed
under local anesthesia, which numbs the area, combined with a sedative to make you drowsy.
You'll be awake but relaxed, and will feel minimal discomfort. Sometimes a numbing spray,
such a freon, is used along with or instead of local anesthesia. Or, in more severe cases,
your surgeon may prefer to use general anesthesia, in which case you'll sleep through the
procedure. |
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| 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.
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning can
smooth scars left by acne, accidents,
or previous surgery, as well as fine
facial wrinkles, especially those around
the mouth.
In dermabrasion, the surgeon scrapes
away the top layers of skin using an
electrically operated instrument with
a rough wire brush or diamond-
impregnated burr.
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.
This cross section shows how
dermabrasion smooths irregularities
in the outermost layer of skin.
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.
Dermaplaning uses a dermatone to
skim off surface layers of skin that
surround facial defects
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. |
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| Does I have to stay in a
hospital after the surgery? |
Your treatment may be performed in a surgeon's
office-based facility, an outpatient surgery centeror a hospital. It's usually done on an
outpatient basis, for cost containment and convenience.
However, if you're undergoing extensive work, you may be admitted to the hospital. |
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| Risk factors, complications, side effects?
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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.
You can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified plastic surgeon and closely following
his or her advice. |
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| How long would recovery take? |
Your new skin will be a bit swollen, sensitive,
and bright pink for several weeks. During this time, you can begin gradually resuming your
normal activities.
You can expect to be back at work in about two weeks. Your surgeon will probably advise
your to avoid any activity that could cause a bump to your face for at least two weeks.
More active sports-especially ball sports-should be avoided for four to six weeks. If you
swim, stick to indoor pools to avoid sun and wind, and keep your face out of chlorinated
water for at least four weeks. It will be at least three to four weeks before you can
drink alcohol without experiencing a flush of redness.
Above all, it's important to protect your skin from the sun until the pigment has
completely returned to your skin- as long as six to twelve months. 
Several months after your procedure,
pigmentation returns and the skin is
much smoother than before. |
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| Would I have a new look? |
Refinishing treatments can offer dramatic
improvements in the surface of your skin, but it will take some time before you see the
final results.
The pinkness of your skin will take about three months to fade. In the meantime, you'll
probably want to wear non-allergenic makeup when you go out. (For tips on hiding your
condition while it heals, ask your surgeon for the ASPS brochure on camouflage cosmetics.)
When your new skin is fully repigmented, the color should closely match the surrounding
skin, making the procedure virtually undetectable. |
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Cost of this procedure varies with region from a low of
$2,412
to a high of $3,250. This cost includes surgeon's fee,
anesthesia, and facility costs. |
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