| Typical Timing/Age |
50-75 years old |
| Problem |
Deep wrinkles (rhytids) |
| Procedure |
Dermabrasion essentially “sands down” the skin like sandpaper to a rough piece of wood. This creates a partial thickness injury to the dermis such that it should heal without visible scarring and be smoother after the healing process is complete. |
| Goal |
To smooth out wrinkles. |
| Facility |
Office/Clinic, Surgery Center or Hospital |
| Preparation |
Depends on the area being treated. |
| Anesthesia |
Local anesthesia in the office/clinic. Or if you prefer, we can also perform the procedure under IV sedation at a Surgery Center or Hospital; or general anesthesia at a surgery center or hospital. |
| Recovery |
|
| Hospital stay |
Most patients go home after surgery and do not require a night in the hospital. |
| Positioning |
No pressure or movement over treated area while it heals |
| Assistance |
You will be able to walk around, feed and bathe yourself. Depending on your pain medication requirements, you may not be able to drive or care for others. |
| Walking |
You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism. |
| Showering |
You may shower immediately following surgery. |
| Exercise |
1 week for light exercise. 2 weeks for regular exercise. It is very important to keep the treated area out of the sun while it is healing. After it is healed, it is important that it be protected from sunlight to minimize the risk of hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the treated area. |
| Sex |
Wait 1 week because you don’t want to increase your blood pressure during the early healing period. |
| Work |
The treated area will look like a road rash and will be tender and oozing for around 1 week. If you have a desk job you can return to work as soon as you are comfortable doing so. Most people take 1-2 weeks off of work. |
| Swelling |
Usually greatest around 3 days after surgery from which time it starts to subside. Depending on the area treated, redness (erythema) may persist for months after the procedure. |
| Bruising |
There is usually no bruising after dermabrasion. |
| Follow-up Appointments |
5-7 days after surgery, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year. |
| Risks & Complications |
Scarring, prolonged redness, pigment changes, infection, complications related to anesthesia. |
| Performed by: |
Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery |
