Dermabrasion

Your skin is integral to your appearance. As the largest organ in your body, the skin requires constant nourishment and protection. When the effects of age, sun damage and gravity take their toll on your profile, the skin and underlying dermal tissue can become damaged. Common issues like acne scarring, stretch marks and discoloration can also diminish your appearance and usually require cosmetic treatment to resolve effectively.

Dermabrasion has become an increasingly popular treatment for those seeking radiant and younger-looking skin. As an expert in facial restoration, Dr. John Freeman performs dermabrasion for patients with many types of skin conditions and concerns. Based on an individualized treatment plan, he can use this technique to help you achieve a smoother facial texture and a clearer, more youthful complexion.

What Is Dermabrasion?

Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure designed to remove the outer layers of skin and reveal a newer, healthier complexion. This is done with a specialized medical instrument that “sands” the skin, scraping away old and damaged skin cells to unveil the fresh cells underneath.

By clearing away the top layer of skin, this procedure serves to reduce the visibility of scars and eliminate surface blemishes and irregularities. Dermabrasion is also performed to restore a more radiant, younger-looking profile and can provide transformative benefits for the right patients.

How Does Dermabrasion Work?

Dermabrasion is a type of mechanical resurfacing, meaning it works by physically loosening skin cells with some kind of tool. Skincare products containing coarse ingredients like sugars, rice particles or fragmented seeds are also examples of mechanical exfoliation.

Dermabrasion is often discussed alongside, or confused for, other resurfacing treatments:

Dermabrasion vs. Microdermabrasion — Microdermabrasion involves using tiny crystals sprayed on the skin or an abrasive diamond-tipped applicator to remove the upper layers of dead and damaged skin. Dermabrasion is a more intense treatment than microdermabrasion. This means that it may cause more discomfort and require more downtime, but it can treat more advanced skin issues and produce more dramatic results.

Dermabrasion vs. Hydradermabrasion — Hydradermabrasion is similar to microdermabrasion, but it utilizes a liquid to flush debris out of the treatment area. Hyderadermabrasion is a gentler procedure than microdermabrasion, and therefore a significantly gentler procedure than dermabrasion. The most suitable procedure depends on the unique concerns and skin type of each individual.

Dermabrasion vs. Dermaplaning — Dermaplaning is a way to exfoliate the surface layer of the skin and remove fine, vellus hair (“peach fuzz”). A medical-grade, sterile blade is used to gently stroke the face, leaving the skin soft and smooth. There is no pain or recovery time. Dermaplaning cannot match the extent or longevity of the results from dermabrasion, but it is gentle enough to be suitable for every skin type.

What Can Dermabrasion Treat?

Dermabrasion is performed for various purposes. By removing damaged tissue, the procedure works to reveal new layers of healthier, brighter skin. In addition to enhancing tone and texture, dermabrasion can help to treat:

Scars caused by acne, surgery or injuries
Fine lines, particularly around the mouth
Sun-damaged skin, including age spots and sun spots
Uneven skin tone
Stretch marks
Some benign skin blemishes or growths
Dull, worn or age-affected skin

Can Dermabrasion Be Done at Home?

Dermabrasion should never be attempted at home. It is a serious medical procedure that only a trained dermatologist or surgeon is qualified to perform. Improperly done dermabrasion can lead to scarring, pigmentation problems and infection.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dermabrasion?

Women and men in a range of age groups can benefit from dermabrasion. Some of the most important factors Dr. Freeman considers when evaluating a patient’s suitability for this treatment are skin tone and medical history. Darker complexions may become permanently discolored or blotchy after this resurfacing treatment. Individuals with active acne are at greater risk of infection. Those who frequently get cold sores, fever blisters or allergic rashes may experience a flare-up.

Dr. Freeman will evaluate your skin to determine whether dermabrasion is the most suitable approach.

Is Dermabrasion Safe During Pregnancy?

Skin problems often flare up during pregnancy, even for women who never struggled with them before. Dermabrasion is not recommended for pregnant women due to increased skin sensitivity and risk of scarring. However, after pregnancy, dermabrasion can be a very effective option for women who develop melasma.

Is Dermabrasion Suitable for Sensitive Skin?

The mechanical exfoliation of dermabrasion may be too harsh for people with sensitive skin. Other rejuvenating treatments that will not cause irritation or compromise sensitive skin’s protective barrier may be more suitable.

Can Dermabrasion Cause Scarring?

Scarring is a risk, but very rare. Dermabrasion that’s done too deeply can result in scarring, which is why it is imperative to choose a qualified and experienced provider like Dr. Freeman. Dermabrasion is not recommended for those who have a history of abnormal scarring (keloid or hypertrophic), have taken isotretinoin to treat acne or have dark skin that is prone to scarring and pigmentation changes.

Are There Alternatives to Dermabrasion?

If, during your consultation, Dr. Freeman determines that you are not a good candidate for dermabrasion, he may recommend alternative treatments to help you reach your goals. Chemical peels and laser resurfacing are other techniques used to improve the texture and appearance of the skin. Both work by removing the outer layers of skin to encourage collagen production and tissue remodeling. Dr. Freeman usually treats his patients with medium-strength TCA chemical peels and the Fraxel CO2 laser.

If scars are your concern, Dr. Freeman offers various surgical solutions for scar revision.

Some people may achieve the best results by using more than one approach.

What to Expect: Your Dermabrasion Consultation

During your initial consultation, Dr. Freeman will analyze your skin type and discuss your concerns to determine the best approach to treatment. He will also evaluate your medical history to ensure you are a suitable candidate and whether it is safe to proceed. Based on this examination, he will design a procedural plan tailored to your skin needs and cosmetic goals. This thorough and personalized process, combined with his expert aesthetic vision, is what allows Dr. Freeman to create effective and satisfying results for his patients.

What to Expect: Your Dermabrasion Procedure

Dermabrasion is usually performed in an office-based procedure room with IV sedation. Dr. Freeman performs dermabrasion at his state-of-the-art facial cosmetic center in Katy, TX. Before the procedure begins, your skin will be cleansed, and the areas of treatment will be marked accordingly. IV sedation will be utilized to ensure you experience relatively minimal discomfort during treatment.

During the procedure, your skin will be held taut so that Dr. Freeman can move the motorized device across the surface with gentle pressure. This process may take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the severity of your condition and the number of areas being treated. The outer layers of your skin will be removed to expose new, healthier tissue.

For patients with deeper facial scarring, dermabrasion may be performed more than once or in stages. In this case, Dr. Freeman can work with you to determine the number and frequency of treatments required to achieve and maintain your desired look.

What to Expect: Your Dermabrasion Recovery

Once the procedure is complete, Dr. Freeman will apply an ointment to soothe your skin and alleviate discomfort. You should expect some redness and swelling, which can take a few days to a week to subside. You may experience tingling, aching or slight burning after treatment, as though you have a bad sunburn. Any discomfort can be easily managed with pain medication.

Dr. Freeman will walk you through all the aftercare requirements to ensure optimal results and reduce the risk of complications occurring. Your post-procedure routine may include:

Cleansing your skin several times per day to prevent crusting
Applying moisturizing products designed to help your skin heal
Taking antiviral or antibacterial medications if prescribed
Avoiding alcohol and smoking
Avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen
Avoiding certain activities
Staying out of direct sunlight
Attending follow-up visits

Generally, dermabrasion requires a downtime period of 7 to 10 days. As your skin begins to heal, it may itch and form a crusty scab. Resist the temptation to scratch or pick the scab. It will fall off on its own, and the best results come by letting the treated skin heal naturally.

While the recovery period may be slightly more involved than other skin rejuvenation procedures, your face will appear significantly smoother and more radiant once the area has healed.

Benefits of Dermabrasion

When performed by a qualified and experienced specialist like Dr. Freeman, dermabrasion boasts various benefits for patients, including:

Produces a clearer and brighter complexion
Treats facial scarring and stretch marks
Reduces signs of aging and pigmentation
Shrinks enlarged pores and blackheads
Promotes even skin tone and smoother texture
Strengthens and clarifies the skin

When Are Dermabrasion Results Evident?

Dermabrasion can offer profound improvements in the surface of the skin, but it takes some time before the final results emerge. Activity restrictions during the first few weeks may include avoiding active sports, chlorinated swimming pools and alcohol consumption. It’s critical to protect the skin from the sun until it is fully healed.

Once new skin covers the treated area, cosmetics can be used to conceal redness. It may take several weeks, and up to three months, for post-treatment pinkness to completely fade. Diligent sun protection should continue for six to 12 months to prevent permanent skin color changes.

How Long Do Dermabrasion Results Last?

The long-term results of dermabrasion depend on the concern treated. Many patients achieve good results after one treatment for minor scars, fine lines, dullness and texture. Patients hoping to address deeper scars and more significant signs of aging may require more than one dermabrasion treatment to reach their goals.

The removal of scars with dermabrasion is permanent. Changes in the texture and color of the skin caused by aging, sun damage, lifestyle and other ongoing factors may continue. Dermabrasion is not a lasting solution for these issues. Dr. Freeman can recommend a maintenance program based on your concerns and your skin’s response to the treatment.

Schedule A Consultation

If you are seeking a more vibrant, youthful and beautiful appearance, skin resurfacing with dermabrasion may be an excellent choice. Dr. John P. Freeman is uniquely qualified to perform facial rejuvenation procedures, having earned both a dental degree (DDS) and a medical degree (MD). He is board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery, a published scientific investigator and a member of numerous professional organizations.

Call 281-599-9445 today to schedule your in-person consultation with Dr. Freeman and take a step closer to the glowing complexion and confidence you deserve!