DR. MARTIN J. GIUFFRE (B.MS., MD., F.R.C.S.(C))

Facial Skin Resurfacing

dermabrasion

BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS

*DISCLAIMER: This site contains graphic & surgical images that may be disturbing to some viewers.

This site is intended for individuals over the age of 18.

**Please note that none of the images posted throughout this site have been enhanced or photoshopped.

Skin Resurfacing:

Dermabrasion:

  • Facial Dermabrasion is a consideration in patients who have developed numerous areas of facial scarring from bad acne.

  • Another application of this technique is in the treatment of heavy wrinkling around the mouth, over both the upper and lower lips and cheeks.

What Skin Resurfacing Options are available?

There are surgical skin resurfacing options for treating skin aging, and post acne facial scarring:

What is Dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion:

  • Facial Dermabrasion is a consideration in patients who have developed numerous areas of facial scarring from bad acne.

  • Another application of this technique is in the treatment of heavy wrinkling around the mouth, over both the upper and lower lips and cheeks.

  • Dermabrasion of the upper and lower lips is often done at the same time a Facelift is being done. Please See FAQ Facelift

  • This procedure can be done under Local anaesthesia (freezing) if the treatment area is fairly limited, or under General Anaesthesia, if a full face is being treated for post acne scarring.

  • The irregular topography (surface) of the skin produced by the facial scarring cast’s irregular shadows from overhead light, which exaggerates the irregular skin appearance.

  • Heavy wrinkling around the mouth causes a “Lipstick Bleed”. This form of skin ageing cannot be improved with a Facelift and must be treated with one of the skin resurfacing techniques.

  • A special medical tool called a dermabrader smooths the skin surface (somewhat similar to sanding down a rough piece of wood to make it smoother).

  • The depth of the dermabrasion is carefully controlled in order to avoid violating the deeper layers of the skin dermis which could produce scarring. The dermabrasion depth reaches the superficial layer of the skin dermis where fine bleeding is produced (similar to an abrasion you get if you fall on your knees on an asphalt road).

  • This removes all but the very deep acne scars and wrinkles.

  • Often a dermabrasion may have to be repeated once, and sometimes twice, to get the desired effect. The interval between treatments is one year.

  • After the dermabrasion surgery is completed, a special dressing and moisturizers are applied until the dermabraded areas heal. It takes 7 – 10 days for all the scabbing to disappear.

  • The patient is left with fairly bright red – pink healed fresh skin which is smoother and free of superficial wrinkles and improved deeper wrinkles.

  • The pink color fades over a period of 3- 6 months. The pink color can be camouflaged with makeup during this healing period.

  • The healing skin is very vulnerable to sun exposure during the first 6 months after surgery. Sun exposure during this time may produce increased pigmentation in the dermabraded areas which may persist for years. For this reason, dermabrasion is often done in the late fall to early spring seasons. 

  • Dr.Giuffre strongly recommends sun block protection during the healing period following a dermabrasion.

risks:

Risks for Facial resurfacing:

  • Excess Scarring (hypertrophic) if the treatment was too deep

  • Infection

  • Pigmentation change which can be darker or lighter pigmentation to the area treated

  • Prolonged redness (erythema)

  • Early Recurrence of the wrinkling (under treatment)

  • Prolonged irregular surface of the skin 

  • Skin damage (necrosis)

  • Asymmetry

  • Expense