Dermabrasion
The skin is a very complex organ that is subject to much abuse. In addition to the genetic component, many environmental factors can impact the quality of the skin. For example, as your skin is exposed to greater degrees of ultraviolet radiation, you are more likely to get pigment irregularities, skin cancer, and wrinkles. Smoking cigarettes also has a profound aging effect on the skin. Smooth skin is one of the most recognizable and sought-after markers of youth. Unfortunately, no matter how healthy you are or how young you feel, wrinkles can still show up and undercut your self-image. Dermabrasion, also known as skin resurfacing, is a technique that rejuvenates the skin by harnessing the body’s natural healing process. Wrinkled, scarred and uneven tissue is removed, creating an opportunity for healthy, smooth skin to regrow in its place.
Dermabrasion is an especially appealing solution for patients who desire a rejuvenated appearance to their face and skin, but do not require the underlying muscle and tissue repositioning that is commonly performed with a facelift. Dr. Schmidt works personally with each patient to determine what methods will produce the most natural, successful results.
Who is a candidate for dermabrasion?
Patients who are experiencing any of the following can receive this cosmetic facial treatment:
- Facial lines and wrinkles
- Acne scars, facial scars or other blemishes
- Uneven pigmentation in the skin
- Rough or uneven skin texture
- Bulbous swelling and redness of the nose (rhinophyma)
- Removal of precancerous skin patches
View Before and After Results
Be sure to view the Before and After Photo Gallery to see real patient results at Schmidt Facial Plastic Surgery.
How does dermabrasion work?
The first step in the procedure is to treat the wrinkled or damaged skin by using a rapidly rotating rubbing tool to evenly scrape away the outer layers of the skin.
Once this tissue has been scraped away, the top layers of skin can grow back over a smooth surface. Healthy, even tissue will take the place of the damaged or wrinkled tissue that was there before.
Through this process, dermabrasion jumpstarts the growth of your own skin tissue to restore the face you once saw in the mirror.
Treatment is minorly invasive and conducted under a twilight anesthesia. The timeframe for the procedure depends on the patient and the areas to be treated but typically lasts 90 minutes.
Results and recovery
The results are not immediate, as the skin needs time to regrow over the treated areas. Patients can expect redness and swelling immediately after the procedure. Dr. Schmidt may prescribe medication to help manage any aching or pain that results.
The typical recovery time for a dermabrasion is 10-14 days. During the first week, new layers of fresh skin will grow over the treated areas. Some patients may experience residual redness for the first few weeks after the procedure. The specific recovery process and timeframe differ from patient to patient. Dr. Schmidt provides personalized aftercare instructions to help each patient heal efficiently and successfully.
How is dermabrasion different than a chemical peel or laser skin resurfacing?
There is a myriad of skin resurfacing options. The main categories include chemical peels, dermabrasion, and lasers. These options range quite a bit in terms of the level of aggressiveness. On the mild end of the scale, you find superficial chemical peels and microdermabrasion. These remove the very surface dead skin cells that have yet to be shed from the body. This gives the skin a brightened appearance, but it does nothing for wrinkles or age spots. A medium depth peel, light dermabrasion, or gentle laser treatment can result in mild to moderate improvement in wrinkles and abnormal pigmentation as well as skin tightening. The deep chemical peels and laser treatments can result in profound improvements in skin quality and texture. Not only do these treatments target the wrinkled portion of the skin, but they also stimulate collagen (skin plumping protein) to regrow and help fill in any residual wrinkles weeks to months after the procedure. Dr. Schmidt utilizes some of these skin resurfacing techniques mentioned and will recommend a procedure tailored to your face and concerns because no two faces are exactly the same.
To learn if dermabrasion is the optimal option for treating your skin concerns, please contact us to schedule a consultation with our double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Schmidt.
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