Dermabrasion and Chemical Peeling in the Treatment of Certain Cosmetic Defects and Diseases of the Skin

If it were possible to learn to do dermabrasions by reading a book, then this would be the book to read. The description of the technique of the procedure and the chapters on selection of patients, indications and contraindications, and complications are very detailed and complete. The impression that the book gives at first reading is one of having taught it all. Such minor defects as the uneven quality of the clinical photographs do not alter that impression. More careful reading, however, reveals that this book is really a very personal statement. It is based on 25,000 dermabrasions (that's right, 25,000!) done by the author. It is hard to argue with that much experience. Yet, despite the effort to justify and explain it all, some obvious personal prejudices appear. For example, routine oral steroids are prescribed for every patient undergoing dermabrasion. Also, routine prophylactic antibiotics are administered to every patient.