Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
dermabrasion
Pronunciation: DER-mah-bray-zhun
Surgical skin resurfacing technique using mechanical abrasion to improve skin texture.
Full Definition
Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that uses a rapidly rotating instrument to sand away the outer layers of skin, promoting the growth of new, smoother skin. This technique is used to treat facial scars, wrinkles, sun damage, and certain skin conditions. The depth of treatment can be controlled to achieve desired results, though healing time varies based on the extent of treatment. It differs from microdermabrasion in its depth and intensity.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from microdermabrasion, which is much less aggressive.
In Context
- "Dermabrasion successfully improved the appearance of acne scars on the patient's cheeks." — surgical outcome report
- "The surgeon recommended dermabrasion over laser treatment for this particular scar type." — treatment recommendation
Also known as
surgical skin resurfacing
mechanical dermabrasion
Don't confuse with
microdermabrasion
chemical peel
laser resurfacing