Lisa - this is what I found on dermabrasion / dermaplaning. I am starting my monthly microfacial (microdermabrasion and facial) again in 2 weeks - yay! I think my skin misses it.
Dermabrasion
What is microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that polishes away the upper layers of skin to smooth the area’s texture and promote rejuvenating growth. The procedure employs a tool that rapidly sprays tiny aluminum oxide crystals at the skin’s surface, removing one fine layer at a time. A vacuum device is simultaneously employed to take away the separated skin and blasting particles. The procedure is effective for smoothing out mild skin blemishes, such as fine wrinkles, age spots, and light acne scars. It also provokes the body to produce new skin cells and increased collagen, which improves skin elasticity and makes it look fresher. It usually takes a series of somewhere between five and twelve microdermabrasion treatments, each spaced a few weeks apart, to achieve the desired effects. The new, smoother skin can be maintained through periodic treatments every few months or so. Despite the apparent overall length of the treatment process, each treatment is fairly quick, painless, and undemanding with regards to recovery. This simplicity has quickly made microdermabrasion one of the most popular cosmetic treatments in the United States.
What is dermabrasion?
Dermabrasion is another common skin-resurfacing technique that uses a fine, motorized brush to peel away the upper layers of skin. The tool is handheld, with a small rotor at one end. The sides of the rotor have fine diamond particles that can soften the edges of scars or other skin irregularities to blend them with the surrounding skin. Dermabrasion requires a little more time than microdermabrasion to perform: it typically demands the use of a local anesthetic. For more anxious patients, a sedative may be used as well or general anesthetic used instead. Dermabrasion also may require several treatments to produce satisfactory results. However, it is usually capable of treating slightly deeper and more prominent skin irregularities than microdermabrasion, such as the scars from accidents or previous surgery.
What is dermaplaning?
Dermaplaning is a third resurfacing procedure that uses an instrument called a dermatome to skim off thin layers of skin. The dermatome is about the size of an electric razor. It uses oscillating blades that move back and forth across the skin. The surgeon will attempt to trim enough surface skin to bring it down to the level of the deepest skin depressions. Dermaplaning works better than other resurfacing techniques for deep marks, such as those left by serious acne. Like dermabrasion, dermaplaning employs either a local or general anesthetic, local anesthetic sometimes in conjunction with a sedative.
