Dr. Sam Lam Plastic Surgery Forum

Hi Dr. Lam,
I was looking on your website for a description of the type of dermabrasion you are suggesting for me. I couldn't find any videos or descriptions. Perhaps I am not looking under the right name. Can you lead me in the right direction? Thanks!

i can't recall where i have it. it is wire-brush dermabrasion. is that what you want? the bottom line is knowing that it is different from "microdermabrasion" which is not real dermabrasion at all.
sml

I'm not sure but it's whatever you recommended for the incision sites (after the mole excision). I think, yes, you did say something about a wire. I was just curious to know more about it and what to expect as far as healing time and what my skin will look like immediately following the procedure and the days following. Thanks!

okay, i get it. i was being unnecessarily technical. dermabrasion will leave the area looking like a "strawberry" like you scraped the skin off in that area and will be a bit oozy for a day or so (this is only along the mole incision). usually you should apply saran-wrap over the area for about a day or so until the area looks like the skin is healing better. you will need a very thick emollient like vaseline or the same bacitracin for about a week. it will not look great for 7 to 10 days. then it could still have some pigment problems. my goal is to smooth any tiny rough edges out and blend the area better for the long-term. i hope that is clear and not too frightening a description.
best,
sml

Thank you for the explanation. Nope, it doesn't scare me. I trust you! Thanks again!

Dear Doctor, that "level" of dermabrasion you speak of (so that the skin "oozes" for a few days, yet the abrasion does not cause a major wound or something) work for collagen buildup in scarred areas? Can such level of skin abrasion (reach the level where the skin oozes/bleeds a bit) promote collagen formation and the bettering of the appearance of some depressed scars (but say, not as depressed as ice picks)? Or should the dermabrasion be way deeper or the scar way shallow for it to work?

your theory is why people do dermabrasion for atrophic scars. i have done that for years but with only modest results so now i infrequently do dermabrasion for atrophic scars like acne scars.

Yes, that is exactly it, what I wanted to know. Thank you

great