Dermabrasion is a skin resurfacing technique often reserved for more stubborn skin imperfections. A physician performs the procedure with a power tool that utilizes a spinning brush or sandpaper to remove skin layers. Read on for some of the conditions that Dermabrasion treats.
Scars
Chicken pox or acne can leave scars on your face that make your skin look rough, uneven and bumpy. Dermabrasion can reduce scars and give you a greatly improved appearance.
Wrinkles
If you have signs of aging, your skin is probably rough with fine lines and wrinkles, unwanted pigmentation and a poor texture. Dermabrasion smooths away your damaged outer skin layers. After the complete recovery time, your skin will look smoother and younger.
Pigmentation
Sometimes called the mask of pregnancy, melasma is the darkening of your skin due to hormones. Some medications and sunlight can aggravate the condition. Dermabrasion can greatly reduce or eliminate melasma.
Acne or sun damage can also result in unwanted pigmentation. Dermabrasion can remove this pigmentation and give you more refined skin without red or dark marks. Sometimes Dermabrasion is used to remove tattoos and birth marks.
Precancerous Skin Lesions
Dermabrasion removes upper layers of your skin where precancerous skin lesions, such as actinic keratoses, develop. If left untreated, these lesions could change into skin cancers such as melanoma, basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
Performed on an outpatient basis, Dermabrasion takes a short amount of time. After the recovery period, results are usually seen in four to six weeks. Dermabrasion is not without risks. Some of the risks involve scarring and discoloration. Be sure to discuss all risks and questions with your doctor before the treatment.
