Ablation of facial scars by programmed dermabrasion.

Revisions of scars, characteristically deferred for 6 to 12 months after wounds have healed, are performed to improve function and appearance. However, none of the techniques that has evolved to modify cicatrical deformities has afforded total, permanent effacement of scars already present. Evidence is presented here that dermabrasion of both surgical and accidental scars of the face, done 4 to 8 weeks after the primary wound, usually eliminates visible residual cicatrization.