Manish H. Shah MD, FACS

Fellowship Trained Rhinoplasty Specialist

Se Habla Espanol

Dermabrasion (Manual Exfoliation, Dermaplaning) - Denver, CO*

43 Procedures ( View All )


To get better-looking skin with improved tone and texture, dermabrasion is a popular cosmetic treatment that involves using a surgical skin tools called a wire brush or burr to remove the top layers of the skin, which will initiate the growth of new skin. With care and precision, Denver plastic surgeon, Dr. Manish Shah, uses the quick-rotating tool to carefully level off the skin’s top layers. Since the skin reacts as though it has been damaged, it will naturally heal, which will create newer, fresher, younger-looking skin in the process. This treatment is great for those concerned with fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, acne, surgical scars and other skin conditions.

Procedure Technique

Dermabrasion treatment can go as deep as the dermis depending on the extent of the skin irregularity being treated. During the procedure, the skin is prepared with cryogenic spray, a cooling substance that freezes the skin. This allows the skin to be firm and makes the burring process easier. The skin is then slightly stretched and the rough end of the dermabrasion tool is brushed back and forth until the appropriate amount of scraping has occurred. A healing ointment, such as petroleum jelly, and topical antiseptics may be applied after the procedure followed by bandages for protection. 

During/After the Procedure

Due to the slight invasive nature of this procedure, local anesthesia is used. It can last anywhere from 1-2 hours and is generally performed in the office. With deeper dermabrasion treatments, there may be minor bleeding. Patients must expect that the treated area will be red and swollen for about 10-14 days.  Peeling will take place and could last up to a full week. The new skin will look pink and gradually fade to a more natural skin color after a few weeks. It is critical that the patient strictly adheres to post-treatment care, including an avoidance of sun exposure, to ensure proper skin healing.

Request Consultation

Plan Your Procedure

Procedure Recovery Location  
Contact Us

Dermabrasion FAQs

Ideal Candidate?

Any individual, men or women, with skin irregularities may consider the benefits of dermabrasion. It’s an effective treatment for th ose who have fine wrinkles, acne scars, keloid, hyperpigmentation or any abnormal skin growth.

Who Should Avoid It?

There are some precautions for those who have specific skin conditions, including severe acne or those who are on aggressive acne medications. The doctor will evaluate the patient’s condition before any treatment and inquire about any medical case that may be present, or medications that have been taken within the last year.

How About Freckles?

Freckles are an overproduction of melanin in the skin and common to those who have a fair complexion. It becomes visible due to extreme exposure to sun. Although dermabrasion can remove the top layers of skin where freckles are contained, there are other alternatives specifically for freckle removal such as a chemical peel or laser treatment to minimize the freckles from reoccurring.

Is A Chemical Peel Better?

Dermabrasion and chemical peels both refinish the skin to promote new skin growth. Both can be mildly or aggressively invasive depending on how many layers are involved. The only difference between the two treatments is the method used in achieving the intended results. Dermabrasion uses a surgical tool that gently scrapes the skin while a chemical peel uses solutions, usually acid based, to attain a similar result. Dermabrasion does better in removing small acne scars as there is more control on which tiny spots need more scraping.

Related Procedures
