The dermabraded area oozes and should be cleansed with peroxide and rinsed with room temperature tap water. Bacitracin ointment should be applied twice daily to promote healing and reduce infection. The face and eyelids will be swollen. It is helpful to sleep with the head elevated. The facial swelling diminishes rapidly over the first couple of days after the procedure.
Pigmentation changes are the most undesirable side effect of dermabrasion.
Most patients experience only a mild amount of discomfort and burning following the dermal procedure. In most instances, the discomfort can be controlled easily by pain medication. Redness or pinkness of the dermabraded area may persist for several weeks to several months. Most patients can resume work within 10 to 15 days of a full face dermabrasion. While certain problems are occasionally encountered after dermabrasion, scarring or infection are unusual.