Bad Dermabrasion, skin ruined, how can I improve my skin? (photos)

Question

I had dermabrasion done on my forehead to improve scars and now I'm afraid the doctor went to deep and caused hyperpigmentation and caused the skin to scar. My skin looks even worst than before and I'm absolutely devastated and don't know what to do. I just wanted my skin to look better and I wanted smoother skin... And now its destroyed and I'm depressed and I don't know what to do. Is there anything that I can do to return my skin to its normal texture and color instead of the wax shiny skin?

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. When did you receive the dermabrasion procedure? I ask because there can be some redness and swelling that develops after a treatment. I suggest that you discuss the recovery process with your board certified facial plastic surgeon because you should have been given ointments to place on the treated area for several weeks following the procedure to help the healing process and to keep the skin clean.Best wishes,

Tariq Ahmad, MBBChir, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Hello and thank your for this very good question.

I am so sorry to hear of your distress regarding your experience with dermabrasion.

You have not mentioned how long ago the dermabrasion was undertaken though looking at the photographs I suspect that it was not too long ago.

I have several comments

- I wonder, did you have any period of skin priming with topical agents before the treatment? Not everyone does this but it can be helpful to optimise the skin prior to dermabrasion, peels etc.

- Did you go out into strong sunlight soon after the dermabrasion? You may not have done so but again I caution against this or if doing so to cover the treated skin or protect the skin with a broad spectrum high factor sunblock.

If it is still early, that is to say only a few weeks or even months after treatment let me reassure you that the skin does settle; however once you have developed hyperpigmentation then it can take a long time to settle; up to 18 months.

In the meantime it would be very good to use a broad spectrum factor SPF 50+ so that no further pigmentation is stimulated.

It is possible to tackle the hyperpigmntation but this should be undertaken gently and slowly as over aggressive action needs more powerful agents and these have their own associated problems.

I would discuss topical agents with your specialist - such as kojic acid, azelaic acid or adapalene; these can help to stabilise the skin and pigmentation but I would expect to use them for 3 or more months  on a daily basis to gently quiten down the pigmentation reaction.

I do hope that you found this information helpful.

my very best wishes and hang in there it will eventually settle down but more quickly with a little help.

Bad Dermabrasion, skin ruined, how can I improve my skin? (photos)

Answers (2)