Facial dermabrasion in acne scars and genodermatoses-A study of 65 patients.

bermabrasion is sequential planing of the raised skin/lesions to the desired depth. Facial dermabrasion was carried out in 65 patients (acne scars -48, adenoma sebaceum 12, multiple trichoepitheliomas 4, barier's diease-1). Preancillary acne scar revision in 34/48 patients and excision of larger papules and electrodesiccation was performed in 10/12 adenoma sebaceum. In acne scars, 35/48 showed good to excellent and 13/48 poor results. In adenoma sebaceum, 9/12 had excellent and 3 satisfactory results. Preancillary procedures enhanced results in both conditions. Excellent results were obtained in 3/4 multiple trichoepitheliomas and in barier's disease. Repeat dermabrasion was helpful in 7/65 patients. Side effects seen were persistent hypopigmentation 41, persistent erythema 30, milia 20, hyperpigmentation 15 and exacerbation of acne 3. Complications encountered were small deep scars 8, recurrence of adenoma sebaceum 3, gouging 2, secondary infection 2, oval large atrophic hypo-depigmented scar I and hypertrophic linear scar 1. Facial dermabrasion is a useful dermatosurgical modality to treat various skin disorders.