Dermabrasion or sanding is a method of skin resurfacing

Dermabrasion or sanding is a method of skin resurfacing
Dermabrasion or sanding is a method of skin resurfacing. Unlike lasers and peels it is a mechanical abrasion of the skin.
It removes the epidermis and parts of the dermis.
It has many uses the most common are:
• scars, especially acne scars,
• fine facial lines (rhytides)
• skin changes seen with rhinophyma.
This technique lowers the profile of scars and raised tissue. At the same time it stimulates collagen production. Healing is from the remaining parts of the dermis.
An advantage for the surgeon is that the depth can be assessed as the operation is done by looking at the surface that has been treated.
The depth of dermabrasion is assessed in four stages:
• stage1: the epithelium is removed and the surface is smooth and does not bleed.
• stage 2: the sanding has reached the superficial or papillary dermis and there is sparse, punctate bleeding
• stage3: as the surgeon goes deeper into the papillary dermis the bleeding becomes greater the background is coarser.
• stage 4: When the sanding reaches the deep or reticular dermis there is a brisk, confluent bleeding and a coarse tissue background. This is considered the endpoint of sanding because further dermabrasion can cause permanent scars.
Surface healing occurs in 1-2 weeks but redness often lasts for 1-2 months.

Email Dr. Hudson if you have any questions.

- copyright Patrick Hudson MDPA 505/242 0070 -
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Aging in the hand

AGING IN THE HAND
The face and the hand are the only parts of our body which are easily exposed to view. It is not surprising that aging changes in these areas bother us most.
Aging changes in the hand include age spots, wrinkling, loose or thin skin and enlarged veins on the back of the hand.
All of these problems can be treated, although surgeons disagree about the effectiveness.
Age spots or feckles can sometimes be treated with bleaching creams. If these are not effective then lasers or peels may be tried.
The larger veins can be removed through small incisions in the crease lines on the back of the hand. The surgeon must take care to preserve enough veins for drainage of blood or prolonged swelling will occur.
The skin is tightened through transverse incisions along the tension lines on the back of the hand or wrist. However, the resultant scar may thicken and be obvious.
Although then skin cannot be made thicker, fat grafts or other fillers can be placed to create the illusion of more fullness. For many surgeons the results have not been predictable.
The fine wrinkling is treated by resurfacing with light chemical peels, such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Unfortunately this can cause scarring and a noticeable line between the treated area of the hand and the untreated wrist.

Email Dr. Hudson if you have any questions.

- copyright Patrick Hudson MDPA 505/242 0070 -
New pages from www.e-sthetics.com and www.phudson.com
For comprehensive information about plastic surgery