Modern Dermabrasion Techniques: A Personal Appraisal

Abstract

Improvements in dermabrasion techniques have upgraded the therapeutic results for the removal of acne scars, sun-damaged skin, and related skin lesions in selected patients. To help patient compliance and therapeutic response, and to avoid pitfalls, extensive step-by-step predermabrasion evaluation and patient selection procedures are helpful. Standard checklists, operative techniques, and patient follow-up procedures have improved the results. Currently, the optimal dermabrasion procedure consists not only of an extensive facial planing, but the use of Loo punch or scalpel excision and the suturing of large cysts and scars during the procedure and the filling of valley-like depressions with liquid collagen or silicone after the procedure. These methods of extensive standard procedures and protocols, rigid patient selection, and pre-, during, and postdermabrasion follow-ups are presented so medical staffs can avoid common pitfalls.

Resurfacing the Acne-Scarred Face

“…A large dome‐shaped, coarse diamond fraise is used on the Bell‐Hand engine to further improve the acne scars. 21 This area is cooled with a freon 11/ethyl chloride mixture ( Fluro‐Ethyl , Gebauer Labs, Cleveland, OH), and the dome wheel is used to plane down the dermis to the depth of the acne scars. Less speed is used on the Bell‐Hand engine, as this partially denatured collagen is more susceptible to abrasion and requires less torque for smoothing.…”

The Prevention and Management of Postdermabrasion Complications

“…The procedure is carried into the hairline and slightly below the jawline. The facial skin is uniformly planed during the procedure to assure smoothness 1 . The concomitant use of Freon refrigerants is avoided 2 .…”

The Stimulation of Postdermabrasion Wound Healing with Stabilized Aloe Vera Gel‐Polyethylene Oxide Dressing

“…Modern dermabrasion techniques, including proper patient selection and the use of high‐speed dermabrasion equipment, have been outlined previously 4,5 . Following ice compressing and after regional nerve blocks with lidocaine‐bupivacaine (75:25), the dermabrasion of the complete facial skin was accomplished with a 40–50 grit diamond fraize without the use of an additional skin refrigerant.…”