Dermabrasion is a treatment that removes rough, scarred surface skin to reveal fresh and glowing skin. The skin renewal effects of dermabrasion are much greater than a mild, exfoliating chemical peel or microdermabrasion.
Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat uses dermabrasion to treat:
- Fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth
- Acne scars or other skin scars
- Scarring or rough skin in patients with darker skin tones
What Is Dermabrasion?
Dermabrasion uses surgical instruments to remove the upper layers of skin on the face or body. Dermabrasion’s effects are similar to strong chemical peels, with some important differences. Chemical peels use abrasive chemical substances to resurface skin (or remove layers from the skin) instead of using surgical instruments.
Also, chemical peels are not always a good choice for patients with deep skin pigmentation because chemical peels can cause pigment changes and discoloration in the skin. There is no risk of pigment changes with Dermabrasion, and it can be safely performed on men and women with deep skin pigmentation.
Your Dermabrasion Options
Dermabrasion treats certain types of facial scars, as well as fine lines and wrinkles. If you do not need to treat scars or fine lines, Dr. Mouchantat may advise a milder alternative skin rejuvenation procedure, such as microdermabrasion or a mild chemical peel.
Your Dermabrasion Procedure
Dermabrasion is performed under anesthesia. A small section of the face is treated at one time. First, a topical numbing agent is applied. Then, Dr. Mouchantat uses tools to abrade the skin on that small area. After an area is treated, bandages may be applied.
This process to treat a small area is repeated until the entire face (or area that is being treated) has been abraded.
Dermabrasion Aftercare
Following your dermabrasion, you will need to rest and may wish to take time off work while your skin heals from the immediate effects of the procedure.
Dermabrasion is effective because it “wounds the skin,” removing older skin and causing new skin to grow in its place. Following dermabrasion, you might have redness that lasts four to six weeks. While it is understandable that your skin’s appearance may not be ideal during the healing process, once the healing is done, your skin will show remarkable improvements in tone, pigmentation, or scar tissue for many years.
After your dermabrasion, it is very important to protect your skin from the sun. Your skin will be especially sensitive to the sun, and you will want to use sun protection to reduce future photo aging changes in your skin.
Learn More About Dermabrasion in Denver
Are you interested in dermabrasion? If you wish to learn more, contact Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Mouchantat. We encourage you to schedule a consultation today.
