DERMABRASION
Dermabrasion is a form of skin abrasion used to
correct acne scar-ring, aging, and sun-damaged skin. A special instrument (ie,
motor-driven wire brush, diamond-impregnated disk, or serrated wheel) is used
in the procedure. The epidermis and some superficial der-mis are removed, while
enough of the dermis is preserved to allow re-epithelization of the treated
areas. Results are best in the face because it is rich in intradermal
epithelial elements.
The
primary reason for undergoing dermabrasion is to improve appearance. The
surgeon explains to the patient what can be ex-pected from dermabrasion. The patient
should also be informed about the nature of the postoperative dressing, what
discomfort may be experienced, and how long it will be before the tissues look
normal.
Dermabrasion may be performed in the physician’s
office, the operating room, or an outpatient setting. It is performed under
local or general anesthesia. During the procedure, some surgeons use
refrigerant anesthetics to turn the skin into a numb, solid mass of rigid
tissue and to provide a momentarily bloodless sur-gical field. During and after
planning, the area is irrigated with copious amounts of saline solution to
remove debris and allow the surgeon to see the area. A dressing impregnated
with oint-ment is usually applied to the abraded surface.
The nurse instructs the patient about postoperative
effects. Edema occurs during the first 48 hours and may cause the eyelids to
close. The head of the bed is elevated to hasten fluid drainage. Erythema
occurs and can last for weeks or months. After 24 hours, the dressing may be removed
if the physician approves. When the serum oozing from the skin begins to gel,
the patient applies the prescribed ointment to the face several times each day
to prevent hard crusting and to keep the abraded areas soft and flexible. With
the physician’s approval, clear-water cleansing or soaking of the face is
started to remove crusts from the healing skin.
The
patient is advised to avoid extreme cold and heat and ex-cessive straining or
lifting, which may bruise delicate new cap-illaries. Direct or reflected
sunlight should be avoided for 3 to 6 months and a sunscreen used.
Related Topics
Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant
Copyright © 2018-2023 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.