Dermabrasion Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have dermabrasion, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Common temporary side effects:

• Scarring
• Redness
• Swelling
• Flare-ups of acne or tiny cysts
• Increased color in the skin
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Flare-ups of cold sores (caused by herpes simplex 1 virus) if done on the face
• Less common complications:

• Permanent scarring
• Lasting redness
• Prolonged loss of color in the skin.
• Infection

Dermabrasion is not recommended for those with the following conditions:

• Active herpes or bacterial infection and sores
• Current or recent use (less than one year) of isotretinoin (Accutane)
• Skin, blood flow, or immune disorders that could make healing more difficult

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the treatment site
• Skin redness or loss of color that does not go away
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.