April 06, 2012 | 3 minute read
The skin, as you may know, is the largest organ of the human body. It is also, unfortunately, the most vulnerable; over time, exposure to the elements, along with the natural aging process, can cause the skin to become damaged and worn. While there are many things you can do to protect your skin and improve its health, skin damage is impossible to avoid entirely. Fortunately, advancements in cosmetic medicine and professional skin care have led to several highly effective solutions to this damage, making it more possible than ever for people to regain the supple, radiant skin they enjoyed in their youth. One of the most effective and popular methods of rejuvenating the skin, available at the practice of San Francisco plastic surgeon Kimberly Henry, is dermabrasion.
What Is Dermabrasion?
Dermabrasion, or facial sanding, is a procedure in which a tool with a rapidly rotating end is used to remove the top layer of skin. This top layer is the one that will show the most obvious signs of damage, including wrinkles and fine lines, as well as inconsistencies in color or texture, acne and other scars, and other irregularities. The removal of this top layer of skin will reveal the raw, red underlying layer that, as it heals, will become healthy looking, fresh, and vibrant. After about a week, it is possible to apply makeup, while after two to three months, the full results of the treatment will become apparent.
Although some soreness may be experienced after the treatment, it is usually well controlled with medication, and moderate to severe discomfort is very rare. Treatment can be confined to a small area or expanded to include the entire face, if desired. Performed on an outpatient basis, dermabrasion is quick and remarkably effective.
Dermabrasion Candidates
Dermabrasion is generally well-suited to those with skin irregularities such as acne scars, scars from cuts, and other elevated marks. People with lighter skin affected by fine lines also make excellent candidates for the procedure.
In order to be considered a good candidate for dermabrasion, a person must also have realistic expectations of the procedure, and a true understanding of what the healing process entails. While there is little to no downtime associated with dermabrasion, patients must understand that their skin will bear the wounds from the procedure for about a week afterward. This is an unavoidable result. The skin will continue to appear pink or red for weeks after that; however, a natural skin tone can usually be achieved with makeup. Also, while the skin will show marked improvements after the procedure, completely flawless skin is unlikely, especially in cases involving more pronounced irregularities.
Patients of our San Francisco cosmetic facial surgery practice meet with Dr. Kimberly Henry in a private, comprehensive consultation prior to undergoing any procedure. Depending on the patient’s needs and goals, Dr. Henry may suggest laser skin resurfacing as an alternative to dermabrasion. If dermabrasion is deemed to be the most effective treatment option in your case, you can rest assured that you will be in the hands of one of the most trusted and esteemed professionals in cosmetic medicine.
Contact Dr. Kimberly Henry Today
If you are interested in learning more about dermabrasion, please contact Dr. Kimberly Henry in San Francisco today.
