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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that uses a rapidly rotating device to sand the outer layers of skin. After dermabrasion, the skin that grows back is usually smoother and younger looking.
Dermabrasion can decrease the appearance of fine facial lines and improve the look of scars, such as those caused by acne. Dermabrasion can be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.
During dermabrasion, your skin will be numbed with anesthetics. You might also have the option of taking a sedative or using general anesthesia, depending on the extent of your treatment.
Skin treated with dermabrasion will be sensitive and bright pink for several weeks. The pinkness will likely take about three months to fade.
- Kim EK, et al. Dermabrasion. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2011;38:391.
- Friedman S, et al. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser therapy. 2009;55:223.
- Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3007358. Accessed March 27, 2012.
- Dermabrasion. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Cosmetic-Procedures/Dermabrasion.html. Accessed March 27, 2012.
- Dermabrasion information. American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. http://www.asds.net/_ConsumerPage.aspx?id=536&terms=dermabrasion. Accessed March 27, 2012.
- Facial peels and laser surgery. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. http://www.aafprs.org/patient/procedures/resurfacing.html. Accessed March 27, 2012.
- Roenigk RK, et al. Roenigk's Dermatologic Surgery: Current Techniques in Procedural Dermatology. New York, N.Y.: Informa Healthcare; 2007:751.
- Brewer JD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 4, 2012.
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