What Is Dermatosurgery?
Dermatology is the skin treatment surgery that cures skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nail disorders. It also includes cosmetic procedures for the skin, hair, and nails. A full body examination is done before commencing the skin treatment. Any surgical intervention necessarily increases the risk of complications, but the level of risk is low in the case of dermatosurgery. The treatment starts in a clinic with the evaluation of the damaged skin and the surgery to be performed to treat it. The damaged skin is then treated under local anesthesia. Various skin conditions such as cutaneous horn, cysts, verrucas nevus, vitiligo, skin resurfacing, and scar removal can be done using this procedure. Laser surgeries are also used in regenerating the skin after soft tissue damage. The various equipment used in dermatosurgery includes lasers, radio frequency waves, chemical peels, and mid-infrared light. Laser treatment is used to treat vascular lesions, hair removal, acne scar, pigmented birthmarks, and tattoo removal. Cellulite and fat reduction are also done using machines. Botox and derma fillers are used in tissue augmentation and removing face wrinkles.
Patients or clients undergoing dermatosurgery expect their imagined expectations to come true with full safety. However, a dermatosurgeon cannot provide any kind of guarantee with respect to the results. Patient and the type of treatment selection depends on several factors such as age, sex, co-morbidities, medical indications and contraindications, patient's desire for a cosmetic procedure, and their expectations. Patients with dysmorphophobia and depression need a psychiatric opinion and thorough counseling before starting their aesthetic or corrective treatment procedures. Also, it is necessary to evaluate the history of allergies, drug intake, smoking, keloidal tendency, herpes simplex infection, bleeding diathesis, implantation of cardiac pacemaker (in case of electrosurgery), and procedures in the past.
How Is Dermatosurgery Performed?
The procedure of dermatosurgery starts with the signing of the specific consent form and information exchange between the patient and the dermatosurgeon. The patient is provided with adequate information about the procedure to ease them in deciding to undergo the procedure. The preparation of the surgery starts with basic laboratory tests, the use of Tretinoin, a retinoid before certain procedures like testing for lignocaine allergy, chemical peels, test procedures or patches in some cases, antibiotic prophylaxis, and fitness for anesthesia. Following are some types of dermatosurgery procedures:
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Chemical Peels: A skin-peeling chemical solution is first applied to the skin. This leads to the peeling of the skin leaving behind a layer of regenerated skin. This treatment is used to treat the skin damaged by acne, sunburn, underlines of the eyes, and age spots.
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Biopsies: Various skin conditions are diagnosed using biopsy. Other than biopsy for diagnosis of the condition, it can also be used to remove abnormal skin and is called an excisional biopsy.
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Cryotherapy: Liquid nitrogen is used to treat skin warts. It freezes skin lesions that can damage affected cells in the skin.
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Cosmetic Injections: Botulinum toxin or filler injections are given to reduce scarring, wrinkles, and facial dullness.
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Laser Surgery: A special beam of light is used for various skin conditions like warts, tattoos, moles, scars, unwanted hair, birthmarks, and wrinkles.
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Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion involves using a high-speed rotating brush to remove wrinkles, skin patches, and scar tissues.
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Skin Grafts and Flaps: A skin graft flap is missing skin created from tissue near the area of skin loss and can be replaced using the skin from some other parts of the body.
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Tumescent Liposuction: The excess fat from the body is injected with local anesthesia, and the excess fatty tissue is removed using tumescent liposuction. Lasers are also can used to burn fat cells and remove the tumescent fluid.
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Vein Therapy: Spider veins, small dilated surface veins, decrease the aesthetic look and hence are removed for cosmetic purposes. The spider veins are treated by injecting a chemical solution into the target vein, which irritates the vein making it less distinct or causing it to disappear completely. The spider vein removal technique is called sclerotherapy.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Dermatosurgery?
Generally, two to three weeks are required to completely recover, depending upon the surgery. Care and instructions must be followed during the initial days after the surgery. Sometimes a dressing is necessary for about one to two weeks. Delay in the recovery time may occur if infection or bleeding happens after the treatment. The recovery also depends upon how well the skin is taken care of after the surgery.
It is essential to follow the post-surgical guidelines for better results and recovery. Taking care of the skin, preventing pigmentation, gentle cleansing, and moisturizing is required to preserve the skin. The use of fragrance-free moisturizers, non-soap cleansers, and mild hypoallergic products should be done post-surgery. Skin protection from the sun is another important thing that must be done using SPF (sun protection factor) creams. Stay hydrated and follow the medications and instructions provided by the surgeon.
Are There Any Alternatives to Dermatosrgery?
Natural products can also be used to free the skin from all sorts of problems. Some skin problems can also be treated with natural products rather than surgeries and injections. A balanced diet is one of the important things to keep away from skin problems. The food must include enough vitamins and minerals to nourish the skin. Coconut oil, olive oil, and flaxseed oil are some of the natural products used to treat wrinkles. Rinsing the face with warm water and consuming vitamin B and E-rich food can really help in the healing of the skin. The acidity of lemon has the ability to reduce wrinkles and dark lines on the face. Massage with lemon juice can turn the face brighter. Including fruits and vegetables in the diet also helps in keeping your skin healthy. Apple cider vinegar, silicone gel sheeting, and aloe vera gel are some of the natural products that reduce scars and acne. Onion extract, honey, cucumber paste, and tea tree oil also help to healthify the skin.
Conclusion
Patients undergoing aesthetic dermatosurgery expect their imagined results without risk or complications. However, dermasurgeons cannot give such hypothetical assurance but can only ensure standard care and the best possible improvement. There is a risk of malpractice litigation, but it can be minimized if standardized programs are followed. The dermatosurgeons keep their patient’s interests in mind and follow the procedures. Moreover, the results from dermatosurgery are satisfying.
