The Face & Skin Center

When the skin is rough and irregular from acne, scarring or other injury, microdermabrasion may help.

Microdermabrasion is a technique used to smooth and blend irregularities of the skin's surface. Although somewhat more sophisticated, it can be compared to sanding a scratched wooden surface. There are limitations to the amount of improvement that can be achieved. Large scars or deep pits cannot be corrected by microdermabrasion alone. Microdermabrasion works best for multiple small scars and for blending the edges of a scar into the surrounding skin. The deeper pits of severe acne scarring are usually filled in with small grafts of normal skin and then dermabraded. Small superficial scars can often be eliminated; but deeper scars can only be improved. A second microdermabrasion 6-12 months later may give additional improvement.

Microdermabrasion is generally only used on the thicker skin of the face, avoiding the eyelids and neck. The procedure is carried out in the office using twilight anesthesia and local anesthetic. The dermabraded areas will have the appearance of a "scraped knee" for about one week, eventually fading to a pink color. Healing is variable from person to person depending on age and complexion. Darker skinned patients may experience darkening or lightening of the skin tone on the abraded areas. Significant sun exposure must be avoided for six months after microdermabrasion. These variables will be discussed in consultation.