﻿ Dermabrasion -- for Acne Scars? - Skin Problems Center: Medical Information on Skin Disorders
Doctor's Responses Archive

Viewer Question:
Dermabrasion -- I don't know if that is the actual name of the procedure, but is it smoothing scarred skin after adolescent/teen acne?
Doctor's Response:
Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that involves the controlled abrasion (wearing away) of the upper layers of the skin with sandpaper or other mechanical means.

The purpose of dermabrasion is to smoothen the skin and, in the process, remove small scars (as from acne), moles (nevi), tattoos or fine wrinkles.

Dermabrasion is potentially dangerous and should not be done indiscriminately.

The term "dermabrasion" comes from the Greek "derma", skin + the Latin " abrasio", wearing away = wearing away the skin.

Last Editorial Review: 4/1/2002

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