Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion has only become popular since the 1950’s when the high-speed dermabrasion tools were created. It is sometimes referred to as a “non-chemical” peel. The tools used are a diamond wheel or abrasive wire to scrape away surface layers of the skin while it is frozen or otherwise prepared for the procedure. It is used to give the face a smoother appearance by reducing the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles and evening out skin tone. It is done under general or local anesthesia and is similar to laser resurfacing in how it works.

The concept of dermabrasion is to remove the top layers of the skin and reduce the appearance of scarring, spots, or wrinkles. It is a technique that requires great skill on the part of the operator who has to gauge the correct depth of the skin removal. If they go too deep, scarring result. Not deep enough and the results may be less than expected.

The risks associated with dermabrasion are the same as with laser resurfacing. The deeper the dermabrasion, the longer it will take to heal. You have to be under anesthesia, either general or local, to have the procedure performed. Like laser resurfacing, it is also a procedure that involves pain upon healing. It will require several months to heal and you won’t be able to apply make-up or cosmetic products for a period of time while you are healing. You can experience infections, fever blisters, cysts, and redness after the procedure has been completed. Careful supervision of your skin needs to be done even after you are no longer in the doctor’s office.

There are various types of dermabrasion that depend on what is used to remove the skin surface. There is another type of dermabrasion called tumescent dermabrasion, which uses sand paper to remove the top skin layers. Microdermabrasion uses aluminum oxide crystals, however, this is more in conjunction with other treatments like chemical peels to help reduce aging and get a polished look. It is less invasive than the other types of dermabrasion but it’s not as effective on wrinkles as a treatment all on its own.

Dermabrasion works well for people who have sun-damaged skin or damage from a lifetime of smoking. It can help to peel back the years, like a chemical peel, exposing newer and fresher skin underneath. It is a very invasive procedure, though, and care should be taken to understand the risks involved.

The reasons for its popularity amount to the difference in cost between laser resurfacing and dermabrasion. While laser resurfacing will set you back several thousand dollars, dermabrasion is typically within the hundreds. If you are trying to save money but still resurface your skin’s topology than dermabrasion can be a good choice for you. However, keep in mind to check about your particular skin type with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon before committing to a procedure that can scar or damage certain types of skin. Hyper pigmentation can also result in skin with excess melanin.