How do I prepare for dermabrasion?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have before your surgery, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your treatment, your surgeon may ask you to:
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
- Apply special ointments or gels to your skin.
Dermabrasion and dermaplaning/dermablading are usually outpatient procedures. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your treatment and stay with you at least the first night following surgery.
What can I expect the day of my dermabrasion?
Be sure to consult with your surgeon before your treatment so you have the most accurate expectations.
- You may have your dermabrasion treatment in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Most dermabrasion or dermaplaning/dermablading procedures take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more depending on the amount of skin being treated.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- Your surgeon will use local anesthesia or some use a numbing spray or general anesthesia.
- For your safety during the treatment, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the treatment plan discussed with you before your treatment.
- After your treatment, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
You likely can go home after a short observation period unless you and your aesthetic plastic surgeon have made other plans for your immediate post-treatment recovery.