Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure used in order to improve the look of skin left scarred from surgery or accidents. It can also help smooth wrinkles around the mouth and can remove keratosis, pre-cancerous growths. It also helps uneven skin tones, sun damage, remove tattoos, age spots and stretch marks. This procedure is different than that of microdermabrasion in that a licensed doctor must perform this surgical procedure. 

The procedure is surgical and invasive. To begin, the areas being treated will first be cleaned and marked. A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin. For deep abrasions, a general anesthesia may be required. 

During the Dermabrasion procedure, a fraise (wire brush with rough edge) is used to remove the upper layers of the skin. The brush rotates fast taking off the skin. This process wounds the skin and causes it to bleed. One small area is treated at once to ensure consistency. During the healing process, new skin replaces the damaged kind resulting in a better look and lessening the appearance in some way or completely of all scars on the face. 

The size and shape of the scar will affect the depth used during the surgical process. While the face is the most common place to have this administered, other areas of the body can also be treated.