Microdermabrasion: what is the downtime for peeling? (Photos)

Question

I consulted a doctor she advised me combination of micro dermabrasion and peeling, my skin is oily. I didn't go for treatment because I am afraid of results if it go bad to my face.she didn't told my scars type I want to Know my scars type and is they can be cured what is the chances of curing , doctor told me it takes 10 sessions with 1 week gap from session to session. what is the downtime for peeling can I go for college?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Don't waste your money on microdermabrasion. In the old days, we used to call this "epidermabrasion," i.e. superficial exfoliation of the uppermost layer of the skin, the kind you might get from the vigorous use of a Buf Puf, Loofah, or even a rough wash cloth. This will do little to nothing for you, except for perhaps giving you a little temporary glow to your skin. As to peeling, the numerous ice pick (pit ) scars visible in the photos are unlikely to respond in any significant way to superficial peels, even an extensive series of them.  Deeper peels, such as a medium depth peel, might be bit more helpful, but run the risk of causing prolonged postinflammatory hyperpigmentation or worse, permanent hypopigmentation, which can be particularly problematic in skin of color. Fraxel lasers might come up somewhere in your search for treatments, but the results from these in my experience have proven quite disappointing, and they appear, for the most part, to be far more supported by device manufacturer marketing hype than hard science. TCA CROSS, about which you can read more by searching the archives of RealSelf.com, would be a reasonable, relatively inexpensive and tried and true approach to treating the ice pick scars, and some of the broader scars would be amenable to subcision-lifting plus a biostimulatory filler, the details of which can likewise be found in the RealSelf archives. Make sure that you seek consultation and treatment by a board certified aesthetic physician. Best of luck.

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

For ice pick scars, rolling scars, you will need something much more than microdermabrasion which includes combination therapy: microneedling, eMatrix, PRP, laser resurfacing .... Seek a physician who provides all, if not most, of these procedures to help treat your acne scars. H Karamanoukian MD FACS

Manu B. Aggarwal, MD · Answer

Microdermabrasion is not indicated for scars, especially the kind that you have. I agree with Dr. Elson and would seek treatment with someone who is familiar with your type of scarring and give you options for treatment. Unfortunately, the "easy" treatments are too superficial for your type of scarring.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

Microdermabrasion is too superficial a treatment to help scars.  As far as peeling is concerned it depends on the type of chemical peel but it is also unlikely to help scars. it looks like you have ice pick scars and they are very difficult to treat.  See a board certified dermatologist

Microdermabrasion: what is the downtime for peeling? (Photos)

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Microdermabrasion: what is the downtime for peeling? (Photos)

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