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How Can I Reverse Bad Dermabrasion Results?

I'm an African American and I made the mistake of having a full faced dermabrasion to help treat acne scarring. The results were devastating, I'm 31 and I have been left looking as though I am 50. What can i do to get rid of the severe post-inflamatory hyperpigmentation and aging skin? How can I now treat the acne scarring?

Asked 37 months ago by MsStewart2U in Toledo, OH

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complication hyperpigmentation revision side effects

Dermabrasion in pigmented skin

Ms Stewart - Thanks for your question. I'm sorry to hear about your problem. There are two difficult situations. First - acne scarring is an incredibly challenging problem. There is no technology that will fully correct deeper acne scarring. In addition, most of the treatments are based on "ablative" techniques (dermabrasion, laser). These treatments can cause significant problems in patients with darker skin. These problems can include hypo or hyper pigmentation. The... more

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Complications from dermabrasion

I try to sway patients away from dermabrasion because modern lasers are much safer and more effective. Dermabrasion is typically done by physicians who either weren't trained to use lasers or don't have the lasers to offer. The major complications resulting from dermabrasion are hypogpigmentation (loss of pigment), hyperpigmentation (excess pigment), scarring, or an unnatural skin texture that appears waxy. Fortunately, the problem you describe which is... more

M. Christine Lee, MD

Walnut Creek Dermatologic Surgeon

Acne scarring treated with Dermabrasion

Dermabrasion, or any procedure can lead to increased or decreased pigmentation in african american skin. The good news is that the color changes usually improve slowly with time & proper treatment, which is usually conservative, ie non-procedural. The aging of the skin after dermabrasion is extremely rare. We do the procedure to rejuvenate the skin in case of excessive wrinkling. If your dermabrasion is fairly recent, improvement is the rule. Check with a good dermatologist to see about... more

Khaled El-Hoshy, MD

Detroit Dermatologic Surgeon

Treatment for bad dermabrasion results

Tough problem Usually PIH will respond to appropriate treatment of hydroquinone and tretinoin, I think you use these products for awhile and then you could consider light chemical peels for an enhanced result.

Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

Treatment of hyperpigmentation of the skin

Treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may require chemical peels, topical creams, and retinoid exfoliation. This should be treated over 6 to 9 months.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Correcting dermabrasion results

Dermabrasion is an excellent technique that effectively resurfaces the skin. It works by shaving down the outer layers of skin until it be deeper layers of skin are exposed. It is these deeper layers of skin that will repopulate the superficial skin layers. Dermabrasion should be done very cautiously in patients with darker complexions. If you have had bad dermabrasion results, there are several options. It is possible to do may have an uneven surface with a limited amount of... more