Dermabrasion & Dermaplaning

Dermabrasion and Dermaplaning help to "refinish" the skin's top layers through a method of controlled surgical scraping resulting in a smoother and fresher look.

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 such as those around the mouth.  It's also sometimes used to remove the pre-cancerous growths called keratoses. Dermaplaning is commonly used to treat deep acne scars.

Dermabrasion removes the top layers of skin which helps to reduce irregularities so that when the top layer of your skin grows back the imperfections are reduced.

                                           
                                                   Photos courtesy of Youthfullook.com

Some dermabrasion treatments can be done on an outpatient basis under a local anaesthetic with the affected areas being thoroughly anaesthetised with creams and small injections, while others require that a general anaesthetic be used. The dermabrader is a hand-held instrument that makes a humming noise as it 'sands' off the top layer of facial skin. One often feels some pressure, although sharp discomfort is not felt.

The procedure lasts about an hour and a half, but for patients who have severe scars covering a large area the procedure may take longer.

You'll need to take time off work after dermabrasion as the treated area of skin will be bloody and crusted, and it will remain pink, sensitive and swollen for several weeks after treatment. Any scabbing may heal after about 10 ten days, but often the skin needs a few months to completely heal and repigment itself after the procedure.

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 or revision, or chemical peel.

Most specialists will not carry out dermabrasion if you have active acne or a bad skin burn, or have had radiation treatments or a chemical peel. This is because of the increased risk of infection and damage to the skin.

Please ask your doctor for further information.