Reviews
Good or Excellent Response
80%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Moderate Response
98%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Side Effects
High
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find a dermatologist or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a plastic surgeon.
Used Dermabrasion? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 15, 2018
If you are scared about this, you should be
My mom always did microdermabrasion more for aging stuff. I guess I just always saw her and thought it wouldn't be that bad. I have super bad scaring from years of acne, which until recently was as bad as ever. Pitted scars that even tons of makeup won't cover up and then the surface scars that I am really aware of as well. So first of all, the dr put me on retina-a for about 2 weeks leading up to the procedure but didn't tell me not to go in the sun, which I did and my skin turned BRIGHT red. like crazy tomato red. I called the dr and they said oops should have told you not to go in the sun and the procedure was put off for another week to let me poor burned skin heal a little. Which was a total bummer to my psyche. So aside from that, the procedure went ok, aside from being given a local which I am never a fan of. And did I mention that what this procedure is is like rubbing sand paper all over your skin? It isn't pretty. And is super scary to see happening. For that reason alone, I don't think I would do it again. Afterwards, my skin got inflamed and ultimately got a skin infection which caused me to go on antibiotics, two rounds, because one round couldn't heal it. So amazingly painful, I can't even put it into words. Healing from the procedure took about a year. I guess the pitted scars were better but still totally visible to me. And my acne was even worse than it had been before. The dr wanted to put me on accutane which has always been my big fat no. When I told them this, they told me that one of their clients had good success with a company called Ninja Skincare. Pretty desperate cause I hadn't heard of them before so I put it off for a while but right near Christmas, I was feeling pretty terrible about myself and called them. So super professional, gave me a cool consultation which wasn't pushy at all which is super important to me. Told me what they would suggest and let it be. Took me another 2 weeks to make the order. Now I have been on it for about 5 weeks and I can't believe how clear my skin is. My dark scaring that was left over from the dermabrasion are fading and I swear it is because of this product not because of the dermabrasion because the dermabrasion was nearly 14 months ago. I would recommend people to think twice about doing this. I read somewhere the best thing to do for acne scars is to not get them. Sounds simple but I sure wish I had been more aggressive in my teen years and found my perfect solution like I have now'and I would never have had to do this awful experience to myself.
September 16, 2016
made thinks worse, downtime huge, 6 months
I tried this in my 20s. It created much more scars and the downtime was huge. Not just 3 weeks, but at least 6 months to return to normal evels. never again
January 10, 2017
where did u have this done ?
July 30, 2011
Cons:
Scarred my face even worse and caused me to now have "Melasma" or hyperpigmentation!
If your doctor has recommended dermabrasion for acne scarring or as in my case, scarring from auto accident/acne please don't do it!! I only wish that I could go back in time and I would have ran away from his office! I have since had to pay another $2,000 to have laser resurfacing just to try to undo the damage from the dermabrasion! I now look like I have dark brown dirt on my face which is highlighting the scars! This was caused by the procedure as well! I do however recommend the laser resurfacing, it has made a remarkable difference in my scarring and had I originally went with the laser, as I wanted to, I probably would have nice skin right now!! However, I allowed the doctor to talk me in to the dermabrasion instead. Please don't ruin your face too!!! Because you can never go back!!
November 11, 2010
Pros:
None. I did not get any discoloration would be a pro, I suppose.
Cons:
Made scarring worse; This procedure should NEVER be recommended for removal of ice pick acne scars. The small wire bristles get into the ice pick scars and literally rip them open, or at least, that's what it looks like happened. Before the procedure I looked like I had acne scarring. Now I look like I've been in a car wreck or clawed by an animal.
This procedure is not recommended for acne scars. Plus it makes all your pores larger. Don't do it.
October 31, 2010
Pros:
Slightly tighter skin, scars are less deep. minimal pain. i hv asian skin, and did not ecperience hyper/hypo pigmentation.
Cons:
2 weeks of downtime. Face looked disgusting afterward. Once the swelling went down, ALL scars-even shallow ones-were still visible. Procedure caused a major break out. Skin is very sensitive. Procedure was expensive.
I did see slight improvement and am told that w/ more treatments i can get to a satisfactory point, but at what expense-I don't know. I expected my shallow scars to be gone, and the deeper ones to look better-instead...all the scars are still visible, with slight improvement...needless to say, i'm very dissappointed. dr says after time, my scars will improve. he also says more treatments may be necessary. i'm jus over 2 months post op.
June 9, 2010
Pros:
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING POSITIVE ABOUT THIS PROCEDURE!! I only gave it a 1 rating because it wouldn't let me post this review without selecting a number. I'm 52 years old and this review is for all of you young beautiful people. And you are all beautiful!!!!
Cons:
I had a dermabrasion in 1982 by a german doctor who worked in an Army Military hospital. I was 25 years old and in the military. It cost no money but it cost me my self esteem and my beauty. It altered and changed the course of my life. The idiot doctor went too deep on my fair skin and left me with hypo pigmentation and scarring all over my face. It looks like my face was slammed into broken glass. My skin has white lines of scarring all over it. I was fine just the way I was.
DON'T DO IT!!!! TRUST ME!! IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING LETTING SOME DOCTOR TAKE A WIRE SAND BRUSH TO YOUR SKIN TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO TIE YOU UP AND MAKE THEM STAY WITH YOU AND TALK SOME SENSE INTO YOU. DO NOT LET ANY DOCTOR NEAR YOUR FACE. OH AND ALSO IF ANY DOCTOR RECOMMENDS A PHENOL PEEL, RUN DON'T WALK FROM HIS/HER OFFICE. IT IS THE MOST HARMFUL ACID ON THE MARKET AND WILL ALSO CAUSE LOSS OF PIGMENT WHICH YOU CAN NEVER GET BACK.
November 3, 2009
Pros:
NONE, ABSOLUTELY None!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons:
Other than throwing away $6,000, having hyperpigmentation, hypo pigmentation patches in 4 places, 12x more scarred areas than b 4 and NEVER wanting to see anyone I ever knew B 4 the surgery again, hmnn? Oh and living never want to go in public again
This surgery should be banned, yes, outlawed.
I researched for years, upon years. Went to a very reputable Dr. A in Dallas, TX. But, here is the deal, the surgery is just a misery waiting to happen. I have only ever actually heard of one person that is happy with it. I am a research type person, researched the dickens out of this surgery, thought this Dr. would be the one to do it. I now KNOW, there should be NO ONE doing it. It will ruin your face like no ones business. I hop this helps someone out there decide NOT to do it. I just wish I had the face I had before. NOw my skin is more thick, much more scarred, lines, hyper spots, hypo patches. My face is a mess!! I am as fair as someone could get too. I hope NO ONE with any kind of color to their skin at all ever does this surgery!!! It is too risky, THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE, folks IT IS YOUR FACE YOU ARE GAMBLING WITH.
September 14, 2009
Pros:
NONE....WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons:
loss of skin pigment
Additional scarring
I had two of these 6 weeks apart back in the 70's and I am still trying to recover from the damage the doctor did to me. DO NOT DO THIS PROCEDURE UNLESS YOU ARE A REAL GAMBLER!!!! If you do, make sure you check out the Dr. thoroughly before you let him touch you!
August 21, 2009
Pros:
None
Cons:
I have 1000x worse scarring than I began with. I am not exaggerating one bit either! I have loss of pigment on both sides of my face, especially in the jawline. Folks, I am as white as you can get, very fair skinned. IVORY.
Please don't do this, there is a reason many dr.s no longer do this surgery. I use to believe it was because they were un fit or something, not good at it. THAT ISN"T TRUE, the surgery itself just stinks. The pigmentation loss has left me with so many fewer options to fix my scars. Which mulitiplied, yes, multiplied, there are many more lines now too from the dermabrasion diamond thing. And folks you figure it out, I went to one of the most lifted up derma's on here. Although, I know that derma can get rid of acne in a FLASH, I mean severe cystic acne. But, the dermabrasion is life altering and not for the good. The surgery is just not worth it, and I have heard and experienced so much negative from this surgery, I have only ever heard of one or maybe two people who say it was good for them.
July 1, 2009
Pros:
Definitely not
Cons:
the treated area looks patchy work and becomes little darker than the original skin colour, leaving uneven tone throughout life time
Life long depression about uneven skin colour..Not used for Asian skin colour....Doctors are cheaters...Dont belie
Be happy with how u look...Never Ever go for Dermabrasion...U realise when it is loose it
Pros:
NONE!!!