Loading ...Why Dermabrasion is Done?
The controlled surgical scraping method to refinish the skin’s top layers is called Dermabrasion. It corrects the sharp edges of surface irregularities and gives the skin a smooth and healthier appearance. Dermabrasion is mostly used to improve look of the facial skin. People having scars, wrinkles around the mouth, and having pre-cancerous growths like Keratosis, can take advantage of this cosmetic surgery.
Dermabrasion can well be performed on small areas or even on the entire face. This procedure can be used alone or done with other procedures like facelift, chemical peel, or scar removal. Dermabrasion can be considered an alternative to chemical peel that uses certain caustic solutions instead of surgical instruments. Other alternative for Dermabrasion is microdermabrasion
Who is Considered Fit for the Surgery?
People of any age or sex can benefit from this surgery. Healing depend on your age, color, skin type and medical history. Dark color skin may end up in permanent discoloration or blotching after the surgery. Some other medical conditions may hinder the procedure. For instance, if you are suffering from acne, or if you had chemical peeling before, you may not be considered fit the surgery.
Before Dermabrasion Surgery
It is necessary to find a good and experienced surgeon for dermabrasion surgery. Since the surgery involves the most visible parts of your body, you have to take all the precautions to ensure everything would go as per your wish or expectation.
You should have an open discussion with the surgeon and know what kind of results you should expect. The surgeon has the responsibility to evaluate your medical condition. He should openly discuss every detail with you and check your medical history, conduct a routine examination, and should do all the things needed to be done before the surgery. Many things would depend on your skin condition, age, and history of any plastic surgery.
You will be given the guidelines on eating, drinking, and on many other Dos and Don’ts. You would have to stop smoking for a week or so, both before and after the surgery. You would have to stop taking certain type of medicines like aspirin or other drugs that may affect blood clotting.
Moreover, you would have to arrange someone to drive you back home after the surgery, and you may also need some help during the first couple of days.
How Dermabrasion is Done?
Your surgery will be performed under local anesthesia and after you take a sedative. This helps you feel no pain during the surgery and you will be feeling drowsy during the entire procedure. This precaution is taken to avoid any kind of discomfort during the surgery. In some cases, however, general anesthesia will be used. This would depend on the prevailing conditions and on the discretion of the surgeon.
The actual surgical procedure is performed quickly. The duration of the surgery would depend on the area to be covered. The surgery can last from a few minutes to an hour or so. Depending on the condition of the skin correction, the procedure can be repeated or done in stages.
The surgery scraps away the outermost layer of the skin. A rough wire brush or a burr containing diamond particles is used for this purpose. Once the desired depth is reached on the skin, the surgeon will stop. During the procedure, a handheld instrument, Dermatome that looks like an electric razor, is used. This instrument has an oscillating blade that works evenly on the applied surface of the skin. The surgery will continue until the surgeon satisfies with the results.
The skin will be treated with ointment, dry treatment, wet or waxy dressing, or in ways that are considered best for your condition.
The surgery will be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, and on an outpatient basis in normal condition. However, some cases may need hospital admission.
After Dermabrasion Surgery
The patient should be well aware of the after surgery happenings to avoid any surprises or worries.
Soon after the surgery, the skin will appear swollen and red. The patient won’t be comfortable while trying to eat or drink something. A tingling, aching or burning sensation can be experienced by many patients. While the painful conditions can be controlled well by certain medications, the swelling will subside within a week or so.
During the healing process, a scab or crust will form over the treated area. This crust will soon be replaced by a fresh and tight skin layer. In some cases when the ointment is applied soon after the surgery, scab formation can be experienced in some cases, which will be little, or no scab will be formed at all. Sometimes the face may start to itch as the new layer of skin start to form over the treated area. Again, the surgeon will take care of this discomfort by recommending some medication.
Every patient will be given relevant guidelines that have to be followed to ensure little discomfort and proper healing of the area. In case the treated area starts to become itchier, or if the redness increases or if any abnormality is noticed, the treated surgeon should be contacted soon to avoid any complication.
Returning to Normal
The skin will remain a bit swollen, bright pink in color, and sensitive for several weeks. It is normal and the patient can resume normal activities. Usually, it would take about a couple of weeks for people to get back to normal routine.
The surgeon will instruct the patient about the things that are to be strictly avoided during a specific period when the healing completes. Those who are used to drinking can resume alcohol intake after at least three to four weeks of the surgery. Moreover, the skin will have to be protected from the sun until it regains the pigment completely, and this may take about six to 12 months’ time.
How Dermabrasion Works
Dermabrasion surgery can offer a dramatic improvement in the skin surface but needs some time to produce the desired results. When everything is done and the healing takes place normally, the resulting area must closely match the surrounding skin.
Side Effects of Dermabrasion
Few common temporary side effects of this surgery include redness, swelling, scarring, flare-ups of acne, increase in skin color, increased sensitivity to sunlight, rare chances of infection, tissue damage, etc. Most of the side effects are controllable or do not cause much discomfort.
