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Dermabrasion is a cosmetic skin treatment used to diminish the appearance of scars, acne scarring, facial spots, wrinkles, or tattoos. It may also be used to remove pre-cancerous cells on the face.

Through a careful method of surgical scraping, the outer layers of skin are removed, resulting in new, smoother skin after a brief period of healing. It may be performed on the entire face or only to specific problem areas. In some cases, a second treatment may be required for best results.

The best candidates for dermabrasion are individuals with badly damaged skin from acne scarring or, accidents, or surgery. A chemical peel may also be an alternative to dermabrasion. The difference is that dermabrasion is performed with surgical instruments, but a chemical peel is done with a chemical solution. It is possible to combine both treatments depending on your individual needs, or to combine dermabrasion with a face lift or other surgical procedure.

Some conditions that can not be corrected with dermabrasion are moles, dark birthmarks, or burn scars. If you have a dark complexion, black or Asian skin, active acne, or extremely sensitive skin, you also may not be a good candidate for this treatment.

The most common risk associated with dermabrasion is a change in skin pigmentation. Although rare, there is a chance of infection and scarring. Some patients experience a permanent darkening of the skin related to sun exposure following the procedure. It is important to follow your post-operative directions carefully.