Dermabrasion makes a comeback as procedure of choice - Brief Article

AORN Journal, July, 2002

A more than 100-year-old dermatologic procedure is making a comeback as the treatment of choice for deep skin defects, according to a Feb 24, 2002, news release from the American Academy of Dermatology. Dermabrasion lost popularity when patients began preferring new resurfacing treatments that offer quicker results and shorter recovery times. For many patients, however, these new treatments are not appropriate, so dermatologists and physicians are revisiting the technique.

Dermabrasion, which requires only local anesthesia, involves mechanically sanding the upper layers of skin and penetrating skin deeper than with microdermabrasion. A new layer of skin replaces the abraded skin during healing, resulting in a smoother appearance. According to the release, the severe brush-burn feeling can be avoided by using semipermeable dressings, which let moisture and air reach the skin. The new skin that appears is pink at first but gradually develops a normal appearance in one to two weeks.

Patients who undergo dermabrasion instead of laser resurfacing can avoid unwanted scarring, loss of normal skin pigmentation, and skin redness and dryness, which may result from excessive thermal injury. Dermabrasion also can be used to treat rhinophyma, an advanced stage of rosacea, and prominent perioral rhytids, also known as smoker's lines, according to the release.

Dermabrasion: Long-time Favored Procedure Makes a Comeback (news release, New Orleans: American Academy of Dermatology, Feb 24, 2002) http:/www.aad .org (accessed 25 Feb 2002).