Dermabrasion affects deeper layers of skin than chemical peels, and may be useful for removing disfiguring marks, such as deep acne scars or deep wrinkles. As with chemical peels, it is effective for wrinkles on the upper lip and chin and cannot be used around the eyes. Some experts prefer dermabrasion to lasers for skin surfacing of people with darker skin colors.
The Procedure.
Standard dermabrasion uses a rotating brush that removes the top layers of a person’s skin. As with chemical peels, dermabrasion selectively strips away the upper layers of skin, leaving the underlying dermal layers exposed.
As with chemical peels, after the procedure, the treated skin oozes and forms a scab, a reaction that is both unsightly and uncomfortable, but only temporary.
Postoperative care is similar for both procedures.
A gentler variation called microdermabrasion uses very tiny crystals to polish the skin and a vacuum technique to remove them. Results are similar to light chemical peels. Patients can have this procedure done on their lunch hour and return to work. Only mild redness occurs after treatment, although for best results five or six repetitive treatments are needed every one or two weeks. To date, overall patient satisfaction has been very high.