BACKGROUND: Modern skin resurfacing techniques began with wire brush surgery. Chemabrasion techniques were developed combining the peel and fraise surgery. The newer CO2 lasers provide technology to also resurface the skin and provide an alternative approach to correct facial defects and facilitate facial rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: This review article focuses on important aspects of dermabrasion, chemabrasion, and laserabrasion. An emphasis is placed on indications, preoperative skin conditioning, modern equipment, anesthesia, and postoperative dressings. RESULTS: The mainstay of therapy for skin resurfacing continues to be chemical peels. Combinations with dermabrasion are important for deeper lesions such as acne scars, or combined with laserabrasions for deeper rhagades. CONCLUSIONS: With a thorough understanding of the important principles of skin resurfacing and wound healing, the management of complexion improvement becomes straight forward, complications become manageable, and patient satisfaction is excellent.
BACKGROUND: Modern skin resurfacing techniques began with wire brush surgery. Chemabrasion techniques were developed combining the peel and fraise surgery. The newer CO2 lasers provide technology to also resurface the skin and provide an alternative approach to correct facial defects and facilitate facial rejuvenation. OBJECTIVE: This review article focuses on important aspects of dermabrasion, chemabrasion, and laserabrasion. An emphasis is placed on indications, preoperative skin conditioning, modern equipment, anesthesia, and postoperative dressings. RESULTS: The mainstay of therapy for skin resurfacing continues to be chemical peels. Combinations with dermabrasion are important for deeper lesions such as acne scars, or combined with laserabrasions for deeper rhagades. CONCLUSIONS: With a thorough understanding of the important principles of skin resurfacing and wound healing, the management of complexion improvement becomes straight forward, complications become manageable, and patient satisfaction is excellent.