Dermabrasion: therapy and prophylaxis of the photoaged face.

BACKGROUND

For many years dermabrasion has been used for the treatment of photoaged facial skin. However, there is a paucity of correlative studies that document the beneficial histopathologic effects of dermabrasion with clinical changes. Moreover, long-term follow-up and comparative studies that document these therapeutic results are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to study patients with photoaged facial skin by comparing the preoperative and postoperative clinical and histopathologic changes that occur as a result of surgical dermabrasion of aged and photodamaged facial skin.

METHODS

Twelve patients 40 years of age and older with significant photoaging and dermatoheliosis were treated with full-face dermabrasion. Predermabrasion biopsy specimens were compared with matched postdermabrasion biopsy specimens taken at various time intervals from 6 months to 8 years after dermabrasion.

RESULTS

Microscopic normalization of the actinically damaged epidermis and papillary dermis was manifested clinically by the replacement of dermatoheliosis with supple, smooth-textured facial skin that remained clinically evident well beyond 8 years after dermabrasion. In addition, the necessity for the continued treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions was virtually eliminated during the 8-year postdermabrasion period.

CONCLUSION

Not only is dermabrasion a beneficial therapeutic option for aged and photo-damaged skin, but it also is a valid means of prophylaxis against neoplastic changes.