Perioral dermabrasion: clinical and experimental studies.

From 1985 through 1989, 54 patients with wrinkles around the lips and in the chin area were treated by dermabrasion. Significant improvement, lasting longer than three years, was achieved using both types of abrading tool: the wire brush and the diamond fraise. The side effects of dermabrasion were permanent but very slight bleaching in 66% of the patients and formation of milia in less than 20%. The surgical technique is described in detail. Dermabrading tools were tested at different speeds on excess cheek skin at facelift. Histological examination showed that the diamond fraise left a smooth abraded surface and the wire brush left an uneven surface. EMLA cream, usually used for skin surface analgesia, was tested as an adjunct to anesthesia in dermabrasion. EMLA's analgesic performance alone was insufficient in the sensitive perioral region, but it elevated pain threshold and decreased the required amount of local anesthetic solution. Five types of dressing were used and the speed of epithelialization and postoperative comfort were compared. At present Vigilon is the most suitable dressing for dermabrasion. The main advantage of dermabrasion over the chemical peel is the absence of severe depigmentation.