Type of Surgery

Information

Doctor Certified

Last updated: 11/24/2009

Diagnosis/Preparation

Because there are several different skin surfacing techniques now available, the initial meetings with the dermatological or plastic surgeon must ensure that dermabrasion is the technique of choice for the particular skin abnormality and location that...

is being treated. Although controversial, some studies have reported abnormal scarring in patients previously treated with 13 cisretinoic acid (Accutane), so many surgeons will require a six month break from the medication before performing dermabrasion. A second contraindication for dermabrasion is HIV or hepatitis infection, as small droplets of blood becomes aerosolized (distributed within the air) during the treatment, creating a risk for the doctor and other staff.

Finally, even if there is no patient history of cold sores, it is important that anti-viral medicine is administered to anyone undergoing the procedure, as an outbreak after dermabrasion can be very severe and spread beyond the mouth to other areas of the face.



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A physician describes what causes acne to develop and how it can lead to facial scars. She also describes several acne scarring treatments including collagen injections, dermal fat injections, dermabrasion, and laser skin treatments. The doctor also describes the role of skin transplant surgery and skin grafts in acne scar repair.

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A doctor performs dermabrasion with a high-speed rotary wheel (A). The tool takes off the top layers of the skin (B) to improve the appearance of wrinkles or scars (C). (Illustration by GGS Inc.) A doctor performs dermabrasion with a high-speed rotary wheel (A). The tool takes off the top layers of the skin (B) to improve the appearance of wrinkles or scars (C). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)




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Other Information

Dermabrasion is a cosmetic medical procedure in which the surface of the epidermis of the skin (the stratum corneum) is removed by abrasion (sanding). It is used to remove sun-damaged skin and to remove or lessen scars and dark spots on the skin. The procedure is very painful and usually requires a general anaesthetic or twilight anaesthesia, in which the patient is still partly conscious Afterward, the skin is very red and raw-looking, and it takes several months for the skin to regrow and heal. Dermabrasion is useful for scar removal when the scar is raised above the surrounding skin, but is less effective with sunken scars.

In the past, dermabrasion was done using a small, sterilized, electric sander. In the past decade, it has become more common to use a CO2 or Erbium:YAG laser. Laser dermabrasion is much easier to control, much easier to gauge, and is practically bloodless compared to classic dermabrasion.


From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dermabrasion

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