Dermabrasion, also known as ‘skin planning,’ is a surgical procedure in which a dermatologist or plastic surgeon "sands" the skin with an abrasive tool. Unlike micro-dermabrasion which is a mild treatment used to treat minor skin problems, dermabrasion is much more invasive and has proved effective in the treatment of more severe skin issues. Whereas microdermabrasion takes little or no time to heal, dermabrasion can take up to a week or more. Dermabrasion is used to treat many different skin problems including scars from acne, age spots, sun damaged skin, tattoos, wrinkles and pre-cancers.

There was once a time when people with severe scarring had no treatment options at all. They had to learn to live with it. Today procedures like dermabrasion make that reality a thing of the past. In the case of dermabrasion, the procedure causes a wound which, once healed, improves the contour of the skin, making it smoother and younger looking. Dermabrasion does have its limits though. It does not work in the treatment of extremely deep scarring. In these cases, surgery would be necessary.

Although dermabrasion is a more intense dermatological procedure, it is relatively simple. It begins with the dermatologist or plastic surgeon cleansing the skin after which the procedure is performed. The practitioner will then apply an ointment to the skin. The amount of time this takes depends upon the size and severity of the area. Anesthetic and/or pain killers may be given to the patient before treatment.

Although most patients don’t experience severe pain after the dermabrasion treatment, medications may be prescribed for pain as well as ointments to aid in the healing process. Since all the skin is new and pink, it takes approximately 8 to 12 weeks for the skin to return to its normal color and appearance. Furthermore, sunlight should be avoided for several months following the treatment. Although some patients require only one treatment, others may need to repeat the procedure if some areas of the skin have not seen significant improvement.

Dermabrasion is not a minor procedure. It is, however, an effective one. For more information on dermabrasion, contact your dermatologist or plastic surgeon.