Micro-dermabrasion What is It?

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In recent years, the cost of outpatient, noninvasive, aesthetic procedures such as dermabrasion have dropped to a level that makes them accessible to more women and men than ever before. If you are considering the procedure, you may have a few questions. Read on for answers.

What is dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that was created for improving skin tone and removing surface scars, growths, blemishes, and wrinkles. It can even help in the removal of tattoos, although the procedure is most often used on facial skin. Dermabrasion is essentially an exfoliating treatment that gets past all the dead skin cells in a way that you just can not do with your regular exfoliating creams.

Am I a candidate for dermabrasion?

You and your cosmetic surgeon or aesthetician will discuss whether you are a good candidate for any procedure. That being said, many people are suitable candidates for dermabrasion. Many people wish to undergo the procedure to reduce the visibility of fine lines around the mouth, for a more youthful appearance.
It is also a helpful procedure for those who have acne scars, and can be especially uplifting for those who suffer from cystic acne scars. Dermabrasion can also reduce the appearance of shallow scars that remain after injuries to the skin. If you have skin tags that you would or other superficial growths, this procedure could be right for you. In some cases (and with enough treatments), dermabrasion can assist in the removal of unwanted tattoos.

What is the purpose of dermabrasion?

The purpose of dermabrasion is to remove cells from the surface of your skin. These cells have sustained the most environmental damage. Removal of these cells reveals the fresh layer of skin below and polishes the new skin. Dermabrasion also stimulates collagen production, in turn leaving your skin feeling and looking smooth and your complexion dewy.

What can I expect during the procedure?

Although the process sounds like it would be painful, most patients experience only a mild level of discomfort. If you do experience pain, your doctor can provide medication. If you experience swelling or inflammation of the treated areas, it is likely that a corticosteroid will be prescribed.

Your doctor will clean your skin, then mark and treat one area at a time. You will receive either a local anesthetic or be fully sedated – discuss this with your doctor in advance to decide which method is right for you. Cold packs or freezing sprays may also be used before and during the procedure to aid in numbing the areas that are being treated.

The exfoliation of your skin is performed with the use of a tool specially designed for dermabrasion. The top surface of the skin is removed with the aid of a rapidly moving wheel, which is generally covered in rough-edged diamonds. It is also possible to complete the procedure using a wire brush.

The areas treated in the dermabrasion procedure will bleed. Causing mild injury to the skin while removing the old cells and evening out the surface of your skin is actually desired and part of why this treatment works so well. The mild injury encourages a natural response in the body to produce new cells, which will speed your healing, and will add to your skin’s glow once you have healed.

Are there any risks or precautions?

Since anesthetics are used in the procedure, it is vitally important to tell your doctor all of the medications you are taking and about any pre-existing health conditions. Any precautions you need to take prior to the procedure will be shared with you by your doctor.

Few risks are associated with this procedure. Each person’s skin and body reacts differently, though, so be aware of the following risks of dermabrasion:
You will probably experience redness of the skin, tenderness or pain while moving or touching the treated area, and increased sensitivity to sunlight while healing. Wear sunscreen every day to prevent sun damage.

It is also possible to be left with scarring from the procedure (even if it is done properly), skin discoloration, or acne. If your wounds are not cared for appropriately in the post-op period, it is also possible to experience an infection in your new but vulnerable skin.
You should clean the affected areas as many times per day as your doctor recommends to prevention infection and speed healing. Treat these areas with the ointment your doctor will likely have provided for you when you clean the areas and each time you change the gauze.

What results can I expect?

Your new lovely skin that was hiding behind the old skin will be evident. A lessening in the appearance of fine lines and scars is to be expected after healing. Your skin will look fresh and polished after the discoloration (slight red or pink on treated areas) fades, which can take as much as two months. This can generally be masked with cosmetics.

You will, however, start experiencing healing within a week and can resume regular activities within two or three days of the procedure.

Dermabrasion takes a relatively short time to heal and can have dramatic results. Now that you know what to expect, you are more equipped to decide if the procedure is right for you.

By Brandy Stoner