Is Dermabrasion Effective For Acne Scars
Dermabrasion is a cosmetic surgical procedure that involves peeling away layers of skin to eliminate scars, wrinkles, and other imperfections. The good news is, treatment for acne scars also results in new skin. What remains is smoother and fresher skin, minus the bumps and scars.
Dermabrasion is a form of aesthetic surgery that exposes the facial bones by removing the top layer of the skin. Dermabrasion is most commonly used to: Smooth out marks and imperfections on the face such as acne scars, fine wrinkles, scars from old accidents, and discoloration. It can also be used to give a smoother appearance to the forehead.
Dermabrasion can decrease the appearance of fine facial lines and improve the look of many skin flaws, including acne scars, scars from surgery, age spots and wrinkles. Dermabrasion can be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures. Read on to learn more on microdermabrasion for acne scars at home/dermabrasion scar.
Is Dermabrasion Effective For Acne Scars
Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that uses a rapidly rotating device to remove the outer layer of skin. The skin that grows back is usually smoother.
Dermabrasion can decrease the appearance of fine facial lines and improve the look of many skin flaws, including acne scars, scars from surgery, age spots and wrinkles. Dermabrasion can be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.
During dermabrasion, your doctor numbs your skin with anesthetics. You might also have the option of taking a sedative or receiving general anesthesia, depending on the extent of your treatment.
Skin treated with dermabrasion will be sensitive and blotchy for several weeks. It might take about three months for your skin tone to return to normal.
Dermabrasion can be used to treat or remove:
- Scars caused by acne, surgery or injuries
- Fine wrinkles, especially those around the mouth
- Sun-damaged skin, including age spots
- Tattoos
- Swelling and redness of the nose (rhinophyma)
- Potentially precancerous skin patches
Risks
Dermabrasion isn’t for everyone. Your doctor might caution against dermabrasion if you:
- Have taken the oral acne medication isotretinoin (Myorisan, Claravis, others) during the past year
- Have a personal or family history of ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)
- Have acne or another pus-filled skin condition
- Have frequent or severe outbreaks of cold sores
- Have burn scars or skin that’s been damaged by radiation treatments
Dermabrasion Scar
Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that uses a rapidly rotating device to remove the outer layer of skin. The skin that grows back is usually smoother.
Dermabrasion can decrease the appearance of fine facial lines and improve the look of many skin flaws, including acne scars, scars from surgery, age spots and wrinkles. Dermabrasion can be done alone or in combination with other cosmetic procedures.
During dermabrasion, your doctor numbs your skin with anesthetics. You might also have the option of taking a sedative or receiving general anesthesia, depending on the extent of your treatment.
Skin treated with dermabrasion will be sensitive and blotchy for several weeks. It might take about three months for your skin tone to return to normal.
Why it’s done
Dermabrasion can be used to treat or remove:
- Scars caused by acne, surgery or injuries
- Fine wrinkles, especially those around the mouth
- Sun-damaged skin, including age spots
- Tattoos
- Swelling and redness of the nose (rhinophyma)
- Potentially precancerous skin patches
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Risks
Dermabrasion can cause side effects, including:
- Redness and swelling. After dermabrasion, treated skin will be red and swollen. Swelling will begin to decrease within a few days to one week, but might last for weeks or even months.Your new skin will be sensitive and blotchy for several weeks. It might take about three months for your skin tone to return to normal.
- Acne. You might notice tiny white bumps (milia) on treated skin. These bumps usually disappear on their own or with the use of soap or an abrasive pad.
- Enlarged pores. Dermabrasion might cause your pores to grow larger.
- Changes in skin color. Dermabrasion often causes treated skin to temporarily become darker than normal (hyperpigmentation), lighter than normal (hypopigmentation) or blotchy. These problems are more common in people with brown or black skin and can sometimes be permanent.
- Infection. Rarely, dermabrasion can lead to a bacterial, fungal or viral infection, such as a flare-up of the herpes virus, the virus that causes cold sores.
- Scarring. Dermabrasion that’s done too deeply can cause scarring. Steroid medications can be used to soften the appearance of these scars.
- Other skin reactions. If you often develop allergic skin rashes or other skin reactions, dermabrasion might cause these reactions to flare up.
Dermabrasion isn’t for everyone. Your doctor might caution against dermabrasion if you:
- Have taken the oral acne medication isotretinoin (Myorisan, Claravis, others) during the past year
- Have a personal or family history of ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)
- Have acne or another pus-filled skin condition
- Have frequent or severe outbreaks of cold sores
- Have burn scars or skin that’s been damaged by radiation treatments
What you can expect
Dermabrasion is typically done in an office procedure room or outpatient facility. If you’re having extensive work done, you might be admitted to a hospital.
On the day of your procedure, wash your face. Do not apply any makeup or facial creams. Wear clothes that you don’t have to pull over your head because you’ll have a facial dressing after your procedure.
Your care team will give you anesthesia or sedation to decrease sensation. If you have questions about this, ask a member of your care team.
During the procedure
During the procedure, the doctor moves a small motorized device across the skin with constant, gentle pressure. The device has an abrasive wheel or brush for a tip that removes the outer skin layers.
Dermabrasion can take a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on how much skin is being treated. If you have deep scarring or you’re having a large amount of skin treated, you might have dermabrasion done more than once or in stages.
After the procedure
After dermabrasion, treated skin will be covered with a moist, nonstick dressing. You will receive self-care instructions to follow at home and you might be given prescription pain medication.
You’ll likely need to schedule a checkup soon after treatment so that your doctor can examine your skin and change your dressing.
At home, change your dressing as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will also let you know when you can begin regularly cleaning the treated area and applying protective ointments. Your self-care instructions will vary depending on the extent of your procedure.
While you’re healing:
- Treated skin will be red and swollen
- You’ll likely feel some burning, tingling or aching
- A scab or crust will form over treated skin as it begins to heal
- The growth of new skin might be itchy
To relieve pain after the procedure, take prescribed pain medication or an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others). Ask your doctor which pain reliever is best for you.
You might prefer to remain at home while you’re healing from dermabrasion, though you can usually return to work after two weeks. Keep treated areas away from chlorinated swimming pool water for at least four weeks. Your doctor might recommend avoiding active sports — especially those involving a ball — for four to six weeks.
microdermabrasion for acne scars at home
Acne scars are leftover marks from previous breakouts. These can become more noticeable with age once your skin starts to lose collagen, the protein fibers that keep skin smooth and supple. Sun exposure can also make them more noticeable.
But that doesn’t mean acne scars are forever. Microdermabrasion is one of several options for scar improvement.
With this procedure, your dermatologist or skin care specialist will use a small handheld device to gently remove the outer layer of your skin (epidermis). This process will reveal the smooth, toned skin underneath.
You can get this treatment from a spa or your dermatologist’s office.
Read on to determine whether microdermabrasion is appropriate for your specific acne scars, how much it may cost, potential side effects, and more.
Does it work for all acne scars?
Microdermabrasion works best for certain types of depressed acne scars, which cause pits in the skin. This treatment only works for depressed acne scars that lie flat against the epidermis. It won’t improve ice pick scars, which are deeper than other acne scars.
Microdermabrasion may also be useful for people dealing with active mild-to-moderate breakouts. In addition to removing dead skin cells that can clog pores, the procedure also reduces excess oil (sebum) from these pores.
If you’re dealing with an active nodular or cystic breakout, talk to your dermatologist about your options. In these cases, microdermabrasion may exacerbate your inflammation. Your dermatologist may recommend another treatment measure or suggest that you hold off on microdermabrasion until the acne clears.
How much does it cost?
Medical insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures like microdermabrasion. Ask your dermatologist or skin care specialist about the estimated costs up front so you’ll know what your out-of-pocket costs will amount to.
As of 2016, the average cost per session was $138. You’ll likely need 5 to 12 sessions for optimal results, which can drive the total out-of-pocket cost up to about $1,658.
Over-the-counter (OTC) kits are less expensive in the long run, but the results may not be as dramatic. OTC devices aren’t as strong as those used by a dermatologist.
How to prepare for the procedure
Microdermabrasion is performed at your dermatologist’s office or a spa. Although you don’t necessarily need to prepare for the procedure beforehand, you may want to make sure you’re not wearing any makeup.
Your dermatologist will use either a diamond-tip wand or a delivery device/vacuum combination, the latter of which blows fine crystals onto the skin. Both then vacuum off debris from the skin.
During the procedure, you might feel a slight scratching. The device used may also have a massaging effect on your skin or produce a mild suctioning sensation.
Each session lasts about 30 minutes. You’ll need multiple sessions to achieve the desired effect.
What to expect after the procedure
Part of the appeal of microdermabrasion is the lack of side effects associated with this procedure. The abrasive crystals and diamond tip wand aren’t painful, so your dermatologist won’t need to use an anesthetic.
Another bonus is the quick recovery time, which allows you to have microdermabrasion multiple times a month. No downtime is needed, and you can resume your daily activities immediately after each session.
Follow each session with a moisturizer tailored to your skin type. (Your dermatologist may have specific recommendations.) You’ll also need to wear sunscreen every day while undergoing this procedure. Microdermabrasion can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, leading to burns. This sun sensitivity can also increase your risk for sun-related scarring (age spots).
Side effects aren’t common with this procedure. However, if your skin is sensitive or darker in color, you might develop irritation or hyperpigmentation.
Is microdermabrasion for everyone?
Microdermabrasion isn’t suitable for ice pick scars, or those that extend beyond the middle layers of your skin (dermis). It only targets the epidermis, so it won’t effectively treat any scars that go beyond this top layer of skin.
If you have darker skin, talk to your dermatologist about your options. In some cases, microdermabrasion may lead to hyperpigmentation.
You should also avoid this procedure if you have:
- open wounds
- active cystic or nodular acne
- recently taken, or are currently taking, isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne
- rashes related to irritation, eczema, or rosacea
- active oral herpes simplex (fever blisters or cold sores)
- malignant (cancerous) skin cysts
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Are other treatment options available?
You may also want to consider other possible treatments available for acne scars.
Depressed scars can also be treated with:
- dermabrasion (similar to microdermabrasion, but considered an invasive procedure that also targets the dermis)
- fillers
- chemical peels
- laser therapy
- microneedling
Raised scars, on the other hand, are treated with:
- laser therapy
- surgical excision
- cryosurgery
- corticosteroid injections
Your dermatologist may recommend microdermabrasion or another technique based on your type of acne scars.
In many cases, treatment for depressed acne scars involves at least two different procedures to ensure the best results. For example, if you try microdermabrasion, your dermatologist might also recommend laser therapy.
Dermabrasion is typically done in an office procedure room or outpatient facility. If you’re having extensive work done, you might be admitted to a hospital.
On the day of your procedure, wash your face. Do not apply any makeup or facial creams. Wear clothes that you don’t have to pull over your head because you’ll have a facial dressing after your procedure.
Your care team will give you anesthesia or sedation to decrease sensation. If you have questions about this, ask a member of your care team.
During the procedure
During the procedure, the doctor moves a small motorized device across the skin with constant, gentle pressure. The device has an abrasive wheel or brush for a tip that removes the outer skin layers.
Dermabrasion can take a few minutes to more than an hour, depending on how much skin is being treated. If you have deep scarring or you’re having a large amount of skin treated, you might have dermabrasion done more than once or in stages.
After the procedure
After dermabrasion, treated skin will be covered with a moist, nonstick dressing. You will receive self-care instructions to follow at home and you might be given prescription pain medication.
You’ll likely need to schedule a checkup soon after treatment so that your doctor can examine your skin and change your dressing.
At home, change your dressing as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will also let you know when you can begin regularly cleaning the treated area and applying protective ointments. Your self-care instructions will vary depending on the extent of your procedure.
While you’re healing:
- Treated skin will be red and swollen
- You’ll likely feel some burning, tingling or aching
- A scab or crust will form over treated skin as it begins to heal
- The growth of new skin might be itchy
To relieve pain after the procedure, take prescribed pain medication or an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others). Ask your doctor which pain reliever is best for you.
You might prefer to remain at home while you’re healing from dermabrasion, though you can usually return to work after two weeks. Keep treated areas away from chlorinated swimming pool water for at least four weeks. Your doctor might recommend avoiding active sports — especially those involving a ball — for four to six weeks.
Once new skin completely covers the treated area, you can use cosmetics to conceal any redness.
If your treated skin appears to be getting worse — becomes increasingly red, raised and itchy after it has started to heal — contact your doctor. This might be a sign of scarring.
Microdermabrasion For Acne Scars At Home
Microdermabrasion isn’t suitable for ice pick scars, or those that extend beyond the middle layers of your skin (dermis). It only targets the epidermis, so it won’t effectively treat any scars that go beyond this top layer of skin.
If you have darker skin, talk to your dermatologist about your options. In some cases, microdermabrasion may lead to hyperpigmentation.
You should also avoid this procedure if you have:
- open wounds
- active cystic or nodular acne
- recently taken, or are currently taking, isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne
- rashes related to irritation, eczema, or rosacea
- active oral herpes simplex (fever blisters or cold sores)
- malignant (cancerous) skin cysts
Are other treatment options available?
You may also want to consider other possible treatments available for acne scars.
Depressed scars can also be treated with:
- dermabrasion (similar to microdermabrasion, but considered an invasive procedure that also targets the dermis)
- fillers
- chemical peels
- laser therapy
- microneedling
Raised scars, on the other hand, are treated with:
- laser therapy
- surgical excision
- cryosurgery
- corticosteroid injections
Your dermatologist may recommend microdermabrasion or another technique based on your type of acne scars.
In many cases, treatment for depressed acne scars involves at least two different procedures to ensure the best results. For example, if you try microdermabrasion, your dermatologist might also recommend laser therapy.
Talk with your dermatologist
Microdermabrasion is a possible treatment measure for acne scars, but it isn’t for everyone. Talk to your dermatologist to see if this procedure is appropriate for your individual scars and skin tone.