Posts tagged dermabrasion

Dermabrasion: Achieving Excellent Results.

1
1 year ago
by Dr. Aldo in

Scottsdale – Last month we introduced a blog post on dermabrasion, a plastic surgery procedure used to improve the appearance of the skin and reduce wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Dermabrasion involves the mechanical removal of the damaged top layer of the facial skin using a high speed rotary wheel. Dermabrasion is performed using a hand-held engine that can reaches a rotation speed of 18,000–35,000 rpm. Rapid planing of the skin is achieved through the combination of this rotation speed, the abrading device, and the pressure applied by the operator. This technique is one of the best wrinkle treatments available. What else do you need to do before having dermabrasion and achieve the best results possible?

Here’s the answer! Pretreat your skin to maximize healing:

  • Avoid sun exposure for a minimum of 8 weeks before and after dermabrasion.
  • Apply Retin-A 0.05% at night for 2 weeks and then 0.1% for 6 weeks before the procedure. This medication will enhance the ability of the skin to heal – faster and smoother – when compared to no pretreatment.
  • Apply Hydroquinone 4%, a skin lightener, for 8 weeks before dermabrasion to avoid blotching after the cosmetic surgery procedure.
  • Select a plastic surgeon with significant experience with this procedure.
  • Take your medications as prescribed! This will be critical to prevent cold sores or breakouts after the procedure.
  • After the procedure, the treated areas are dressed for healing. Be sure you perform your dressing change as instructed.

Spots and wrinkles before Dermabrasion

After Dermabrasion - 3 years

We see in the example above is the results of diamond-fraise dermabrasion with pretreatment of the skin for 8 weeks as prescribed by AB Guerra, MD, a Scottsdale plastic surgeon. There is a drastic reduction in the number of wrinkles around the lips and face. Dermabrasion has a great reputation as a powerful wrinkle treatment. The combination of Hydroquinone and Retin-A has reduced most of the pigments and spots on the patient’s lower face.

Please remember! Throughout the entire process, at our plastic surgery Phoenix office, we will assist you with the most important information about FDA-Approved dermal fillers, Botox, and Dysport, which are also great therapies to reduce wrinkles.

Understanding Dermabrasion.

0
1 year ago
by Dr. Aldo in

Scottsdale – Dermabrasion is classified as a dermatologic or plastic surgery procedure used to improve the appearance of the skin. Dermabrasion involves the mechanical removal of the damaged top layer of the facial skin using a high speed rotary wheel. Dermabrasion was originally developed to treat acne scars. Today, dermabrasion can be used to treat many kinds of skin problems including scars from other types of wounds, wrinkles, and skin pigment abnormalities. More serious conditions such as rhinophyma, which is an advanced form of rosacea that affects the nose, usually in older men.

Dermabrasion is not a cure for many of these problems, however, dermabrasion does soften the edges of the scars and skin conditions treated and can the appearance of the area. Dermabrasion is often used in combination with other cosmetic surgery techniques, such as chemical peels, and laser resurfacing to smooth various skin abnormalities. Dermabrasion continues to be a viable option for patients and is reported to have quicker healing times, similar rates of complications, and be more effective in eliminating some types of lesions, when compared to lasers.

Dermabrasion is performed using a hand-held engine that can reaches a rotation speed of 18,000–35,000 rpm. Rapid planing of the skin is achieved through the combination of this rotation speed, the abrading device, and the pressure applied by the operator. Plastic surgery patients should select plastic surgeons with significant experience with this procedure. There are three types of abrading devices: diamond fraise, wire brush, and serrated wheels. A diamond fraise is a stainless steel wheel with diamond chips of various coarseness bonded to its surface. Diamond fraises come in different shapes used for work in various locations. The wire brush is a wheel with wires attached at various angles. The wire brush is the most effective for deep scars. The serrated wheel is often used to soften the edges of skin removed with a wire brush.

Before this plastic surgery procedure begins, oral medications are given to relax the patient and minimize pain. For small areas, local anesthesia is used for nerve blocks to numb the area being treated. Alternatively, topical cryo-anaesthesia (numbing the skin using cold liquid) may be used. During dermabrasion, the patient lies on the surgical table, eyes covered with disposable eye patches. A gloved and gowned assistant holds the skin taut while each section of the face is treated. The cosmetic surgeon works in sections to avoid obvious lines of demarcation in the final results.

If a patient has a history of cold sores, it is important that anti-viral medicine is administered before undergoing the procedure, as an outbreak after dermabrasion can be severe and spread beyond the mouth to other areas of the face.

After the procedure, treated areas are dressed for healing. A dressing that prevents water from escaping is placed over the area. It is changed daily for about five days, then the wound is left open to the air. This kind of treatment speeds the restoration of the epithelium, the top layer of the skin. Using this technique, healing occurs in about five to seven days. Patients are encouraged to take pain medication, such as ibuprofen, which works the best. Antibiotics and anti-swelling medication is given during recovery. Antiviral drugs are continued for about 5 days. Patients should avoid the sun during the healing process.

The most common risk of the procedure is the formation of abnormal scar. Other potential complications include abnormal pigmentation of the skin, persistent redness of the skin, called erythema, and a localized dilation of small groups of blood vessels, called telangiectasia. Finally, the formation of milia, which are small white colored bumps due to obstruction of the sweat gland. The results of dermabrasion, include a significant improvement in the appearance of the skin after full healing is completed. It should be emphasized, that many scars will not be completely removed and the change in appearance is to due a softening of the edges of the abnormality. If a patient does not have realistic expectations, the procedure is not offered.

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