Dermabrasion aftercare is an essential part of recovery

Added: 01/09/2006

Dermabrasion aftercare is of a paramount importance for the successful result of the operation. The most important advice for those who were subjected to dermabrasion is to have a lot of rest and not to do too much. Scabbing which sometimes occur after the procedure can be treated with the help of ointments that cover the wound. Surgeons also prescribe anti-swelling and antiviral medications.

Dermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure that helps to improve the appearance of skin. It involves the mechanical removal of the damaged layer with the help of a rotary wheel working at high speed.

Originally the procedure was aimed at curing acne scars. Now dermabrasion is used for treating different skin problems such as wrinkles, various types of wounds, abnormalities connected with skin coloration. The procedure can also treat more serious problems such as rhinophyma and rosacea affecting the nose. It is not possible to call the procedure a type of cure and scars and other skin abnormalities cannot be completely removed. Nevertheless dermabrasion is able to soften the scar edges and radically improve the skin appearance.

Dermabrasion is traditionally used with other plastic surgeries, such as excisions, chemical peels, punch drafting in order to achieve complete smoothing of different skin abnormalities, especially of the face.

Before starting the procedure of dermabrasion the doctor gives the patient some medication to let him relax and reduce the pain. If dermabrasion is applied to a small area, anesthetic nerve blocks are used in order to numb the treated area. Another mean to numb the area is called topical cryoanesthesia that uses cold.

During the procedure the patient lies on the back with his eyes covered with eye patches. As for the surgeon, he tries to work in sections in order to escape obvious demarcation lines in the result. If the whole face has to be subjected to dermabrasion surgeons traditionally use laser for lips and lower eyelids because very often not very good results occur in these very areas.
It is necessary to mention the fact that dermabrasion aftercare plays a very important role in the whole procedure. Proper dermabrasion aftercare helps to achieve the desirable results.
During few days after the procedure some patients may notice that their skin is swollen, red and feels like sunburned. As a rule, such patients have problems with talking, eating and moving facial muscles.

One of the most important points of dermabrasion aftercare is rest. The patients should relax and avoid doing too much during the first few days after the operation. If it is painful to talk and to eat, the patient should reduce talking and intensive chewing. Most surgeons prescribe anti-swelling and antiviral medications in order to reduce the discomfort during the first days after the operation. Sometimes patients notice that their skin starts scabbing after the surgery.

Dermabrasion aftercare presupposes to cover the wound with a special ointment. About ten days after the surgery scabbing usually diminishes and new smooth skin gets more evident. Normal skin pigmentation comes only during several months after the operation was performed. Traditionally patients are able to return to their normal activities two-three weeks after dermabrasion. However, sometimes surgeons give some limitations to their patients in order to achieve the complete healing.

Rate this article:

Bad

Good

Article comments:

No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!

Return to top of the page