Microdermabrasion can effectively smooth very superficial acne scars, but cannot completely remove acne scars. Microdermabrasion works by removing the skin’s dead cells on the very surface of the skin, usually with abrasive particulate creams or paddles.
By essentially ‘sanding down’ the skin’s dead cells and increasing cell turnover, microdermabrasion improves skin smoothness and texture, but will not remove acne scars. Particularly deep acne scars will not be removed by microdermabrasion.
Acne Scars and Why They Are Difficult to Treat
Acne is caused as our body’s oil glands produce oil which acne-causing bacteria then metabolize. This oil is irritating to the skin, clogging pores and trapping debris. As our body struggles to remove this foreign debris, a natural inflammatory response ensues. This causes a wound in our skin, and we end up with a scar. Acne scarring, like any other scarring, is the result of a wound in the skin, which then heals, leaving too much collagen behind.
The reason acne scars are so difficult to treat is because they typically reside in deeper layers of the skin, making treatment with topical techniques, like microdermabrasion, less successful.
Consult a Physician for Alternative Treatments
Consult with your physician to inquire about the various treatment methods that have proven to be more effective at treating acne scars.