list of operations > dermabrasion

before and after

Dermabrasion

Removal or improvement of surface irregularities in the skin such as acne scars, small wrinkles and brown patches and freckles. It can be repeated leaving a few months between treatments.

The skin surface is removed to its deeper layers using a power tool.

Depends on the area treated. For the whole face about ¾ hour.

1 Night or day case.

None.

A clingfilm-like dressing is worn for about five days. Make-up can generally be used a few days later.

Usually slight.

Can be very dramatic, depending on the area treated. Usually goes by about a week.

Moderate, about the same as bad sunburn. Small areas are usually painless.

Unlikely to produce scars of its own, unless it is done very deeply to try to remove a tattoo, for example.

For the first few days the treated area seeps, and sometimes a scab forms. During this time the patient looks absolutely frightful. After a few days the scab separates revealing pink, new skin which is flatter than the previous skin. The treated area remains pink for several months but can usually be disguised with foundation make-up with a greenish tone.

Eventually the skin comes back to its normal colour, usually taking 4 months but it can be much longer.

Likely to have permanent benefit.