How Can I Reverse Bad Dermabrasion Results?

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 hyperpigmentation is the most treatable.  That can be treated best with noninvasive lasers such as the KTP 532 nm laser and Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser, Q-switched alexandrite or ruby lasers.  Also intense pulsed light (IPL) can help.  Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing would be the best option for treating the acne scarring.  This would require multiple treatments to get optimal results.  But important to have realistic expectations that no matter what treatment you have done, the acne scars will never be gone and you may realistically only get 30-50% improvement after multiple treatments. 

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 dermabrasion or with a laser. Differences in pigmentation, unfortunately are harder to correct. Depending on the location, it may be possible to perform some selected cosmetic tattooing or permanent makeup.