Dermabrasion is a procedure where a dermatological surgeon carefully scrapes away the top layers of skin to remove irregularities, wrinkles, keratoses and other kids of minor skin damage. The procedure can be performed on just one problematic area of the face, or can be used on the whole face.
Whether a person is a candidate for dermabrasion depends on several factors. They need to know if the damage to their skin is so extensive that they?re willing to undergo a procedure that’s not risk free, can be somewhat painful and expensive and requires a period of recovery. The patient should discuss any concerns about dermabrasion with their doctor before they decide on a course of action.
Some people experience a darkening of their skin after the surgery, or develop whiteheads or enlarged pores. Usually, these problems go away after a period of time, though older people tend to have longer recovery times than younger people. People who are naturally dark complexioned, like African Americans, may find the discoloration of their skin to be permanent. Some doctors won’t perform the procedure if the patient’s acne is flaring up, or if they’ve undergone radiation therapy, suffered a deep burn, or have already had a chemical peel, which is different from dermabrasion in that it uses chemicals instead of instruments.
Dermabrasion can often be performed on an outpatient basis, though patients who are having a lot of work done might check into the hospital. The anesthesia used can be local or general. The surgeon uses a burr impregnated with diamond bits, not unlike a tool used to burnish jewelry, or a wire brush. They then scrape off the problem area of the skin till the blemish is gone, or very much reduced.
With this in mind, it’ll be up to the patient and their doctor to decide whether dermabrasion is right for them.
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