Dermabrasion is a relatively simple procedure, routinely performed as an outpatient procedure in a doctor's office or a spa environment. Although it is quite a popular procedure, the application and results of the procedure can be different for darker skin tones as opposed to lighter skin tones. Overall, the procedure is mild on dark skin because it exfoliates the skin only, but a more involved dermabrasion procedure may be more harsh on darker skin tones.
Dark Skin
Many candidates of dermabrasion use the procedure to even out their skin tone and even flatten contours of the skin as a result of injuries or natural aging.
Darker skin tones have more melanin in them than lighter skin tones.This makes them more susceptible to irritants, sun damage and various skin products. Melanocytes, which are collections of melanin in the skin, react more violently and aggressively to stress factors on the skin than regular cells.
The Procedure
The 30-90 minute procedure in dermabrasion involves sanding the skin or smoothing it out for a more natural, even appearance. Since the darker skin tones react so abruptly to the chemicals used in dermabrasion, it is safer to use specialized products under the care of a physician that are specifically for the use of darker skin or skin that is extra-sensitive to being treated.
