Benifits of dermabrasion|Facial Surgery

When the term dermabrasion is used, it generally refers to abrasive or mechanical dermabrasion rather than laser dermabrasion, which is more often called laser resurfacing or lasabrasion. 

As abrasive dermabrasion literally sands down the skin with a rotating wire brush or diamond drill, whereas laser resurfacing utilizes a powerful light which heats up individual cells to 100 degree centrigrade and vaporizes them.  

Lasers are rapidly replacing dermabrasions as a resurfacing technique because the results are more reliable, the laser is more versatile and the post-operative healing time is shorter and less traumatic

• Superficial dermabrasions may be preceded by three weeks to three months of tretinoin application in the belief that the skin will heal faster.  If the patient has a history of cold sores (which may be activated by the surgery) they are given a course of anti-viral medication, such as Valtrex, orally before and after surgery to decrease the risk of the cold sore spreading into the abraded areas. 

• A local anesthetic is injected. Then ice, artificial ice bags or cold sprays, are applied to the skin for 15 minutes prior to the sanding procedure.  This helps make the skin rigid and therefore easier to sand in Benifit of the surgical.

• The skin is sanded in segments and the duration of the procedure varies according to the speed of the surgeon, the extent and depth of the sanding, and the patient’s cooperation.  A full face dermabrasion may last between 10 and 45 minutes. The sound of the whirling burr is similar to a dentist’s drill.

• Deeper dermabrasions leave the skin raw, red, and seeping immediately after the procedure.  Blood-clotting agents as well as an antibiotic ointment such as Fucidin or antibiotic soaked gauzes such as Fucidin Intertulle are often applied to the skin.  The skin is then covered with surgical dressings.  Special surgical dressings are sometimes used to encourage rejuvenation of the epidermis (top layer of the skin).  Use of these new dressings is of particular benefit because they do not stick, causing less discomfort for the patient.  Healing is faster and thick crusts are less likely to occur, but it is uncertain that any of these surgical dressings improve the cosmetic result in Benifit of the surgical.