DERMABRASION, CHEMABRASION, AND LASERABRASION - HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES, MODERN DERMABRASION TECHNIQUES, AND FUTURE-TRENDS

BACKGROUND. Modern skin resurfacing techniques began with wire brush s urgery. Chemabrasion techniques were developed combining the peel and fraise surgery. The newer CO2 lasers provide technology to also resurf ace the skin and provide an alternative approach to correct facial def ects and facilitate facial rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE. This review articl e focuses on important aspects of dermabrasion, chemabrasion, and lase rabrasion. An emphasis is placed on indications, preoperative skin con ditioning, modern equipment, anesthesia, and postoperative dressings. RESULTS. The mainstay of therapy for skin resurfacing continues to be chemical peels. Combinations with dermabrasion are important for deepe r lesions such as acne scars, or combined with laserabrasions for deep er rhagades. CONCLUSIONS. With a thorough understanding of the importa nt principles of skin resurfacing and wound healing, the management of complexion improvement becomes straight forward, complications become manageable, and patient satisfaction is excellent.