Beautiful Skin After Dermabrasion

Human beings are not furniture, obviously, but on occasion a comparison is apt. Just as antique furniture can be restored by sanding away the outer surface, exposing the pristine wood that was buried beneath years' worth of grime, soot and patina, so too can the human skin be rejuvenated by a simple mechanical removal of its outer layers. This procedure is called dermabrasion.
Although many parts of the body can be treated using dermabrasion, the face is best suited for the treatment. Dermabrasion can remove or lessen the prominence of skin lesions, age or other dark spots, excessive damage due to tanning or exposure to sunlight, scarring, and other imperfections.
The dermabrasion procedure itself is straightforward: a dermatological surgeon uses a high speed rotary abrasion tool with an attachment which abrades (grinds) away the upper, damaged layers of skin. Local anesthetic can be used to block the pain associated with superficial or small-scale dermabrasion treatments; for large-scale or deep treatment, the patient is placed under general anesthesia.
Obviously, recovery from dermabrasion involves a certain amount of pain. If the procedure was correctly performed, this pain should remain well within tolerable limits; however, should the discomfort during recovery become severe or disruptive, the patient may be prescribed pharmaceutical pain relievers or over-the-counter analgesics (other than aspirin or ibuprofen) as needed. Healing from the procedure should begin within one week to ten days after the operation. New skin will likely have a pink or reddish color during the initial stages of recovery, but within six to eight weeks normal weathering will restore the new skin to the patient's typical coloration. Healing skin should be protected with ointment and sunscreen, and exposure to direct sunlight avoided during this period. Dermabrasion patients typically return to normal activity within two weeks.
Complications from dermabrasion treatment are infrequent. These may include
• Scar tissue formation
• Secondary infection
• Darkenening or mottling of skin
• Changes in skin color
While dermabrasion is more physically taxing and less comfortable than other methods of cosmetic skin treatment, its mechanical nature makes it a most thorough and effective solution to problems caused by acne, age, scarring, sun damage, tattoos, and other hard-to-treat skin damage. Consultation with a board-certified dermatological surgeon prior to making a decision to pursue dermabrasion treatment is the best method of assuring that the treatment is appropriate.

Dermabrasion can be an effective medical treatment for those suffering from skin blemishes, scarring, sun damage and other topical imperfections when obtained upon advice from a licensed medical professional. For up-to-date information on cosmetic procedures, visit The Plastic Surgery Channel.