SolveYourProblem Article Series: Cosmetic Surgery
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Dermabrasion:
What to Ask Your Doctor Before Surgery
   

Dermabrasion, in the most simplest of terms, is a process that “sands” the skin. The goal of this procedure is to do away with the upper most layer of skin that may have become dull or uneven, and instead replace it with a new, smoother, and younger looking layer. This procedure has become widely popular to do away with small wrinkles, scars, age spots, and also to decrease acne scars and pock marks. During the dermabrasion, you will be anesthetized, your top layer of skin will be frozen and an abrasive agent, usually a rotating brush, will be used to flake off the frozen skin. The new skin is extremely tender, and there may be some pain associated with the healing process. While rare, some dermabrasion disasters do occur, and in order to avoid any unsightly surprises, here is a list of questions to ask your doctor pre-surgery:

Your underlying layer of skin will be pink. For how long? You will want to avoid facing the world with an unnatural looking pink face, and so it is important to know what to expect. Obviously, the pink color cannot be avoided, yet if it takes eight or ten week to regain your normal skin tone, this little bit of information will go a long way to scheduling your procedure for a time that does not coincide with the family Christmas party, the company picnic, or the vacation to Cancun. The latter is especially important since that new layer of skin is extremely sensitive to sun for almost three to six months, and also the biting winds of winter should be avoided.

What are the side effects? Every surgery has its list of side effects, and dermabrasion is no different. As a matter of fact, these may include a darkening of the skin, scarring, infection, and even changes in skin color. Some of these side effects may only be temporary, but some may be permanent, and so it is vital to not only know about the risks of the procedure but also know how to prevent them or at least minimize the risks.

Is that normal? This is a question most often asked at two o’clock in the morning when a sleepless patient looks at herself in the mirror and wonders if the itching, burning, redness, or scabbing are indeed normal or the early warning signs of something gone wrong. Be certain to ask your physician exactly what to expect, for how long to expect it, and to what extend it will materialize. For example, you will want to know just how red your skin will be. For how long will the scab be on your face, and when can you expect the burning sensation to cease?

Will pigmentation change? It is true that pigmentation may increase or decrease, leaving your skin looking darker or lighter when compared to the surrounding skin of the neck. While darker skin may be treated with bleaching creams, lighter skin will be there to stay and only time and controlled sun exposure may darken it a bit.

What are your credentials? You want to make sure you deal with a surgeon or professional who not only has the schooling to perform the procedure, but also extensive experience and background.

As you can see, even though dermabrasion is a worthwhile procedure that delivers promised results, it is in fact the deliberate damaging of the top layer of skin, and thus should be undertaken advisedly, and at the hands of a professional. Sadly, it appears that the market is being flooded with individuals who may have undergone a few classes, in some cases not even this is the case, purchased the necessary equipment, and are now underbidding the existing clinics to entice frugal patients to come to them. Unfortunately, cut rate dermabrasion may also result in cut rate results, and the horror stories that are now circulating on the Internet and that may be seen on TV specials are only too true; please remember that your face is well worth the price of experience, expertise, and extensive know-how! This is not the time to skimp, save, and pinch pennies.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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