Dermabrasion

You can't avoid the effects of aging.…. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that no matter what you do to naturally help the anti-aging process, some lines and wrinkles will eventually appear. The good news is, if you catch them before they become too deep, there are treatments - dermabrasion and microdermabrasion - that can smooth out fine lines and reduce the effect of aging.

So, what is dermabrasion?

A simple way of describing dermabrasion is as a skin refinishing treatment where the outermost layers are scraped away leaving just the smoother, fresher skin below. 

Dermabrasion is a radical treatment - a complete surgical process that should be performed only by a trained and experienced cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist. Before agreeing to dermabrasion, make sure your doctor is properly qualified as the result is going to affect your face, the part of your body that friends and strangers are drawn to first.

What happens during a dermabrasion procedure?

Have you ever used an electric plane to remove unwanted layers of paint and dirt from woodwork? If you have, then you'll understand how the outer layers of skin are removed during the dermabrasion process. But don't worry if you think that sounds painful; the procedure will be performed using local anesthesia so it should be completely painless. If you get anxious beforehand, you may also be offered a sedative to calm you.

What happens afterwards?

Expect swelling and inflammation during the first few weeks following the procedure. Immediately afterwards your skin will be quite red and swollen and eating and talking may be difficult. There will be tingling, burning and aching and you will probably need to take painkillers. Swelling and pain should reduce within a week.

Your doctor will probably suggest you take two weeks away from work and avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol. You'll also be advised to avoid sun and strong winds which can damage the vulnerable skin exposed by the procedure. 

A scab or crust will form over the treated area as it begins to heal and this will fall off as a new layer of tight, pink skin forms underneath. Your skin may itch and you may be prescribed an ointment to rub into the affected area.

Skin pinkness from the procedure will take up to three months to fade and you can wear a camouflage non-allergenic makeup during this time to disguise your treatment. Once healing is complete your treated skin will match the surrounding skin areas and should be virtually undetectable. 

How much will it cost?

Cost varies depending on the clinic and the doctor you use, so it's important you research payment options and what's included before committing yourself.

You can generally expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000 (usually around £1,500 - £2,000 in the UK) depending on the size of the area needing treatment. 

Are there any risks involved?

Any surgical procedure carries a certain amount of risk but luckily, when it comes to dermabrasion, the risks are minimal. An antiseptic lotion is used on the area to be treated in order to reduce the risk of infection but other side effects can occur. These include a change in skin pigmentation, scarring and enlarged pores. These may sound alarming but in the great majority of cases, no side effects of this sort are experienced. 

Can anyone have dermabrasion?

Unfortunately, not everybody is suitable for dermabrasion treatment. Freckles could disappear in the treated area and if you have dark skin, dermabrasion may result in permanent blotchy, lighter patches.

It's also worth considering the way your skin normally reacts; if you're prone to allergic rashes, cold sores or fever blisters, these could well flare up after dermabrasion treatment.

You should also understand that dermabrasion isn't a miracle cure and will only remove fine wrinkles and lines which, of course will return over time.

What are the alternatives to dermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is worth considering as an alternative to full dermabrasion for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. The procedure involves a technique similar to sand blasting although, unlike dermabrasion, several sessions are necessary before the desired results are achieved. However, microdermabrasion is completely painless and as there's no recovery time involved, it's possible to have treatment during your lunch break and then go straight back to work.

Microdermabrasion is also considerably cheaper than dermabrasion at around $75 (£55) per session for treatment of the face, more if you need your neck and chest areas treated, too.

If you don't want to be treated in a clinic or prefer a less radical approach, microdermabrasion creams are effective anti-aging treatments that gently exfoliate the skin leaving it feeling smoother and looking fresher. Don't expect the same kind of results as you'd get through dermabrasion or even through microdermabrasion treatment but, for those who are just starting to notice the onset of fine lines or enlarged pores, microdermabrasion creams are certainly a worthy anti-aging strategy.