Dermabrasion Surgery

After going through dermabrasion surgery, intensive skin care is needed in order to ensure that complete healing takes place as it should. Immediately after the surgery, the patient needs to place a compress on the surgery area in order to decrease any form of stinging feeling especially if the anesthetic has worn off. The patient is also given instructions on how to properly care for the skin.

As the treated skin begins to slowly heal, it first bleeds. At this time, various sterile dressings - both non-biologic and biologic - are placed on the area in order to envelop the wound and halt the bleeding. The timing of the particular dressing as well as the specific type of dressing to be applied depends largely on the surgeon.

Usually though, after the dermabrasion surgery, a surgeon may have an open dressing system or a closed one in order to facilitate the healing better. It has been proven that wounds that are moist have been seen to heal quicker compared to dry wounds.

Antibiotic ointment or Vaseline are usually used after the dermabrasion surgery. The preferred dressing for post operative dermabrasion surgery is hydrocolloid and is changed everyday for seven days. Doing so helps in quickening healing and in re-epithelialization of the cells a bit faster compared to the normal process of wound-healing.

Also, Vigilon - a dermabrahydrocolloid dressing - have been shown to be the best to use as they assist in drastically reducing pain related to post operative dermabrasion surgery.

Other dermatologists also recommend further medications such as anti-viral agents as well as corticosteroids.

As much as possible, do not be surprised when redness or erythema occurs followed by swelling or edema as this is usually seen within ten days from the dermabrasion surgery. Also, prepare for some feeling of burning, tingling and aching in the targeted dermabrasion surgery operative area.

If any pain is present, oral medications such as paracetamol or acetaminophen combined woith codeine is recommended. If an open dressing system was applied by the physician, the surgical area most likely will feel tender. If crusty yellow areas do appear, these must never be touched or picked as it hinders with the healing process and may also increase the area's chance of having an infection.

As always, be open with your surgeon when discussing your very own expectations with the dermabrasion surgery. Doing so helps you make a highly informed and conscious decision.