Dermabrasion
Minimally Invasive Procedure
Dermabrasion gives the skin a smoother appearance through controlled surgical scraping, most commonly used for dealing with facial scars and wrinkles.
What is dermabrasion?
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning help to "refinish" the skin's top layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping. The treatments soften the sharp edges of surface irregularities, giving the skin a smoother appearance.
Dermabrasion is most often used to improve the look of facial skin left scarred by accidents or previous surgery, or to smooth out fine facial wrinkles. It's also sometimes used to remove the pre-cancerous growths called keratoses. Dermaplaning is also commonly used to treat deep acne scars.
Both dermabrasion and dermaplaning can be performed on small areas of skin or on the entire face. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as facelift, scar removal/revision or chemical peel.
If you're considering surgery to refinish the skin, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure – when it can help, how it's performed and what results you can expect. It cannot, however, answer all of your questions, as much depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask your doctor about anything you do not understand.
Common uses
Dermabrasion can be used to treat scars caused by acne or other injuries, fine wrinkles, sun-damaged skin, rhinophyma and precancerous skin patches.
Considering alternative procedures
If you're planning "surface repairs" on your face, you may also be considering chemical peel, an alternative method of surgically removing the top layer of skin. However, dermabrasion and dermaplaning use surgical instruments to remove the affected skin layers, while chemical peel uses a caustic solution.
Many plastic surgeons perform all three procedures, selecting one or a combination of procedures to suit the individual patient and the problem. Others prefer one technique for all surface repairs. In general, chemical peel is used more often to treat fine wrinkles, and dermabrasion and dermaplaning for deeper imperfections such as acne scars.
A non-chemical approach may also be preferred for individuals with slightly darker skin, especially when treating limited areas of the face since dermabrasion and dermaplaning are less likely to produce extreme changes and contrasts in skin color.
Also see information on microdermabrasion, a less invasive form of dermabrasion.
Surgeons In Your Area
Walter Bernacki, MD
U.S. Board Certified 1085 E. Johnstown Rd.Gahanna, OH 43230-6849
United States
Timothy Treece, MD, FACS
U.S. Board Certified 5005 Arlington Centre Blvd.Columbus, OH 43220
United States
Michael DePerro, III, MD
U.S. Board Certified Suite 200, 1830 Bethel RoadColumbus, OH 43220
United States
Brian Dorner, MD
U.S. Board Certified 4930 Bradenton Ave.Dublin, OH 43017
United States
Christopher Zochowski, MD
U.S. Board Certified 210, 725 Buckles CourtGahana, OH 43230
United States
Bivik Shah, MD
U.S. Board Certified Suite 130, 6499 E. Broad StreetColumbus, OH 43213
United States
Fernando Colon, MD
U.S. Board Certified #149, 947 East Johnstown RoadGahanna, OH 43230
United States
Robert Heck, MD, FACS
U.S. Board Certified 5005 Arlington Centre Blvd.Columbus, OH 43220
United States
Walter Bernacki, MD
U.S. Board Certified 1085 E. Johnstown Rd.Gahanna, OH 43230-6849
United States
Timothy Treece, MD, FACS
U.S. Board Certified 5005 Arlington Centre Blvd.Columbus, OH 43220
United States
Michael DePerro, III, MD
U.S. Board Certified Suite 200, 1830 Bethel RoadColumbus, OH 43220
United States
Brian Dorner, MD
U.S. Board Certified 4930 Bradenton Ave.Dublin, OH 43017
United States
Christopher Zochowski, MD
U.S. Board Certified 210, 725 Buckles CourtGahana, OH 43230
United States
Bivik Shah, MD
U.S. Board Certified Suite 130, 6499 E. Broad StreetColumbus, OH 43213
United States
Fernando Colon, MD
U.S. Board Certified #149, 947 East Johnstown RoadGahanna, OH 43230
United States
Robert Heck, MD, FACS
U.S. Board Certified 5005 Arlington Centre Blvd.Columbus, OH 43220
United States