Dermabrasion

Ohio cosmetic surgeon Dr. Faisal Quereshy recommends dermabrasion to patients with the following cosmetic concerns:

• Scars
• Acne scars
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Unwanted tattoos
• Pre-cancerous skin growths (actinic keratoses)
• Benign skin growths (seborrheic keratoses)
• Red, bulbous nose (rhinophyma)
• Nose and cheek papules (angiofibroma)

Preparing for Dermabrasion

Dr. Quereshy will have you start preparing for dermabrasion and provide you with aftercare instructions and necessary prescriptions well in advance so you feel comfortable and ready for your procedure. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, you will be required to quit using them at least six weeks before dermabrasion resurfacing.

Two weeks before and after dermabrasion, you will be directed to discontinue taking medications and supplements that can thin the blood, such as ibuprofen, aspirin and vitamin E.

Additionally, some medications containing hormones can increase your risk for developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so you may need to temporarily discontinue taking estrogen supplements and birth control pills prior to treatment.

Within two weeks of dermabrasion, you will also need to avoid unnecessary sun exposure, stop all facials and use of exfoliating treatments or products.

Abstain from alcohol for one week before dermabrasion, and do not have your hair treated with chemicals after this time. Let Dr. Quereshy know if you are prone to cold sores or notice any signs of infection or illness before the treatment.

Skin Dermabrasion Treatment

To prepare your skin for dermabrasion, treatment areas will be cleansed and sterilized immediately before the procedure.

Skin treatment with dermabrasion is performed with a motorized handpiece that uses different abrasive tips to resurface small or large areas of skin. The speed, rotation and pressure of the handpiece can be varied to customize the depth or aggressiveness of your dermabrasion skin treatment depending on the results you desire.

Like other skin resurfacing procedures, such as CO2 laser treatment and chemical peels, skin dermabrasion may be performed on your face, neck, chest or other body areas, depending on the issues and skin irregularities you wish to correct.

Local anesthesia with sedation is almost always used during dermabrasion, and the entire procedure takes about 30-90 minutes to perform.

Dermabrasion Recovery and Results

Immediately following dermabrasion, treated areas are covered with gauze and topical anesthetic, and cold compresses may be applied to reduce swelling. Take antibiotics and pain medications as directed to avoid infection and discomfort during dermabrasion recovery.

Redness, crusting and scabbing may occur in the days after your procedure, and you will be instructed on how to gently cleanse your skin and apply ointments to encourage proper skin healing.

Shaving, waxing and physically or chemically exfoliating your skin is not permitted during the dermabrasion recovery period, which lasts about 1-2 weeks. Aggressive dermabrasion treatments may require patients to take 1-2 weeks off work and avoid strenuous activity, lifting and bending for a few weeks. 

It is important to protect your skin from the sun during dermabrasion recovery to prevent potentially permanent hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. Most patients are able to resume wearing makeup within one week of dermabrasion treatment to camouflage residual redness and inflammation.

After the initial healing period has passed, your skin may remain pinkish for a few weeks to months. Once your final dermabrasion results are visible, you will notice a dramatic reduction is skin flaws and a considerably smoother, more youthful complexion.

The Visage Surgical Institute is located in Medina, Ohio and serves local dermabrasion patients, as well as those from the greater Cleveland and Akron metro areas. For more information about dermabrasion treatment, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Quereshy, please call (330) 721-2323.