San Diego Dermabrasion doctors

	Monika Kiripolsky, MD San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon 6221 Metropolitan Street Suite 100, Carlsbad		1 answer
	Christopher Kolstad, MD San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon 9850 Genesee Avenue Suite 460, La Jolla		1 answer
	Johan E. Brahme, MD San Diego Plastic Surgeon 9850 Genesee Avenue, Suite 130 Ximed Building, La Jolla
	Roy A. David, MD San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon 3252 Holiday Court Suite 206, La Jolla
	Mitchel Goldman, MD San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon 9339 Genesee Avenue Suite 300, San Diego

Recent Answers

Can I Use Bleaching Cream (Topical 4% Hydroquinone) and Have Dermabrasion at the Same Time I have several dark spots result from glycolic acid burn at the spa. I saw dermatologist who prescribes topical 4% hydroquinone bleaching cream. Can I have dermabrasion to improve the pigmentation while I am using bleaching cream?

A: dermabrasion and skin pigmentation

Hello,

I agree with Dr. Portuese that dermabrasion is not the best treatment for pigmented areas on the face. Dermabrasion works very well for elevated or depressed scars and for deep creases around the mouth “smokers lines”.

For my patients with localized areas of hyperpigmentation, I start them on 4% hydroquine for 6 weeks. If there is improvement, then we continue using the hydroquinone for another 6 weeks. If the skin is still too pigmented after a trial of hydroquinone, I recommend performing a TCA peel in the office. A 35% TCA peel should only be performed by a physician and is quite a bit stronger then most resurfacing options available in a medical spa, such as Obagi blue peels, microdermabrasion, glycolic acid peels, ect.

Regardless of the resurfacing option that is chosen, I make daily use of sunscreen a very important part of the treatment plan. Sunscreen should be both UV-A and UV-B protective, and preferably contain a metal alloy, such as zinc or aluminum. I recommend that my patients apply sunscreen every morning, regardless of the forecast. It is important to recognize that many of these pigmented areas are due to sun exposure. Especially in San Diego, the value of daily skin protection cannot be overstated.

Christopher Kolstad, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dermaplane and Hair Growth Does Dermaplane increase hair growth on the face?

A: Dermaplaning and Hair Growth . . . A Correlation?

No, dermaplaning (using a blade to remove superficial skin cells and hair on the surface of the skin) will not cause increased hair growth. This procedure does not at all effect the hair cycle, which is regulated by cells deep within each hair follicle. Hair that has been exposed to "the elements" (ultraviolet rays from the sun), chemicals in our skincare products, etc. may seem thinner/less coarse that that comprising the "stubble" that you notice soon after shaving or dermaplaning. However, the individual hairs are still growing at the same rate and thickness as they would have before you shaved them since, again, you have not affected the cells deeper within the follicle that dictate the length of the hair cycle and the thickness of individual hairs.

So, you can rest assured that dermaplaning, as well as shaving at home, will not cause you to be more hairy in the long run.

Monika Kiripolsky, MD

San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon