Dermabrasion and Acne scars- Part 1
Individuals who have acne scars have several options for treatment. The treatment generally depends on type of scar, your skin type and what you can afford. One of the best and very affordable treatments for acne scars is dermabrasion. Dermabrasion is basically a procedure which “sands” your skin. The device rotates at high speeds and shaves off the very superficial skin layers, thus removing all dead skin and debris. With time this area is replaced with smooth, fresh and younger looking skin.
Dermabrasion should not be confused with Microdermabrasion which is a much gentler skin polish and not useful in the treatment of acne scars. Dermabrasion requires time to perform and there are several days of downtime.
Dermabrasion is an office based procedure and does not require the use of a general anesthetic. There are no needles and the procedure is not very painful. Almost anyone with acne scars can undergo dermabrasion but one also has to be realistic. The results after dermabrasion are not immediate and in most cases several sessions of treatment are required to derive the maximal cosmetic benefits.
The procedure is done in a clinic and the physician may administer a medication to relax you. The face is rinsed and dried. To minimize the pain, the therapist will apply a topical anesthetic spray or gel a few minutes prior to the procedure. Once the skin is numb, a high speed rotating device is held close to the skin surface and all the skin imperfections and irregularities are gently removed. After the procedure an antibiotic ointment is applied and covered with a dressing.
Dermabrasion causes the skin to appear as if you have had moderate sunburn. The pain is moderate and easily controlled with over the counter pain medications. Depending on the extent of procedure, one may have special dressings and ointments to help with healing.
Most people begin to see healing in about 7-10 days. In the first few days, the skin surface does appear raw and red but this is only a transient appearance. Over the ensuing few weeks, the newly formed pink skin covers the raw surface and this may take about 6-10 weeks. After the initial 7-10 days, one can use make-up to hide the temporary redden skin. It is vital to avoid sun for at least 8-12 weeks after dermabrasion. The sun can cause extensive darkening of new skin which can be permanent. A sunscreen is strongly advised when going out.
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