Dermabrasion

Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs Facial Rejuvenation

Dermabrasion is a technique used to improve the contour and texture of your facial skin. During the procedure, a special rotating device, generally a wire brush or a diamond wheel with burred edges, is used to “sand” the surface layers of your skin. Following the procedure, a new layer of skin will grow and replace the layer which was removed by dermabrasion, leaving you with smoother, softer skin.

Potential Uses of Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is most commonly used to improve the appearance of acne scars, superficial scars caused by surgery or trauma, and fine wrinkles around the mouth. However, on rare occasions, it can be also used to treat:

• Skin lesions
• Small cysts
• Color changes in the skin
• Tattoos which need to be removed
• Age spots

The following factors may make you an unsuitable candidate for dermabrasion:

• Treatment with isotretinoin during the past year
• Recently undergoing a facelift or a brow lift
• A history of abnormal scarring
• An active herpes infection
• Having a skin, blood flow, or immune disorder which impacts your ability to heal properly

Your Dermabrasion Procedure

Your dermabrasion procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis. Albany plastic surgeon Dr. Bruce Barach will administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment region. The rotating wheel or brush is then used to remove the outer layers of skin. A dressing will be placed on your skin to facilitate the healing process.

Recovery from dermabrasion varies based on the extensiveness of your treatment. However, you can generally expect your skin to regenerate in five to eight days. Initially, the new layers of skin will be pink, but this color will fade gradually over the next couple of months. You may want to use makeup to mask the pinkish color of your skin while it heals.

You should experience very little, if any, pain following your facial rejuvenation treatment, and you should be able to resume regular activities shortly after your dermabrasion procedure is complete. If necessary, Dr. Barach will prescribe pain medication to alleviate discomfort or corticosteroids to reduce minor swelling that may occur.

In order to ensure proper healing, it is crucial that you take very good care of your skin following your procedure. This entails:

• Cleaning the treated skin several times a day to prevent infection and remove any crusting that may develop
• Change the ointment or dressing regularly
• Stay out of the sun for three to six months, and use sunscreen whenever you are out of the house while your skin heals

Please contact our experienced plastic surgeon today to schedule your initial dermabrasion consultation at Upstate Plastic Surgery, serving patients in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs, New York.