Dermabrasion for acne scars has been done in dermatology for many years. The process has received a lot of interest because it has been touted as a treatment option with improvements over other traditional procedures. In this article, you will learn what dermabrasion is and whether it could be the right procedure for your skin’s tone and texture.

Acne scars are caused by the inflammation of the skin. The acne bacteria and the body’s immune system work together to cause inflammation which can lead to scarring. Acne scars can be caused by breakouts and also by surgery but there are many different kinds of scars. These include ice pick scars, boxcar scars, rolling scars and hypertrophic scars. If you want to get rid of them it is best to consult a dermatologist as they might recommend dermabrasion as it helps remove a layer of skin that will help reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Dermabrasion is the only invasive skin resurfacing treatment for acne scars that can be done outside of a hospital. The process requires the skilled hand of a physician who will work with you to determine the proper treatment plan to help minimize the appearance of your scarring. I’ll walk you through all the benefits of dermabrasion and answer any questions you might have in this article. Read on to learn more on dermabrasion side effects/microdermabrasion acne scars near me.

What type of acne scars can microdermabrasion treat?

Microdermabrasion is effective in treating indented or atrophic acne scars, but not raised scars. Those with raised scars should avoid microdermabrasion because its ability to increase collagen production could result in the development or worsening of raised scars. 

Of the various types of indented scars, microdermabrasion is only effective in treating shallow ones because this treatment only stimulates collagen production on the surface of the skin. Any scars deeper than 0.5 mm will show little to no improvement.

Superficial erythematous scars

These kinds of scars are flat and shallow and appear as a slightly red or pink discoloration of the skin. Their color indicates that these scars are relatively new; pink scars typically become white as they age. 

One study found these types of scars were the most effectively reduced in appearance after undergoing microdermabrasion. 

Shallow boxcar scars

Boxcar scars are depressed round or oval scars with defined edges. Although they vary, these scars are typically 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm deep. Microdermabrasion is sometimes used to treat boxcar scars, as they are more shallow than most atrophic scars and can be addressed with minor resurfacing.

Other depressed scars

Other atrophic acne scars are rolling scars and icepick scars. Rolling scars lack defined edges and give the skin a sloping texture. Although they vary in size, they are generally the widest acne scars; icepick scars, on the other hand, are very narrow and deep. 

While both these scars are generally too deep for microdermabrasion to fill in, the exfoliation process can help smooth out their edges to slightly reduce their visibility.

Benefits of Microdermabrasion for Acne Scars  

Microdermabrasion is a gentle procedure for people of all skin colors and types and can be performed in salons, spas or your dermatologist’s office. It has a relatively low cost compared to other acne scar treatment procedures, such as surgeries.

In contrast to other more invasive procedures for acne scars, microdermabrasion requires no downtime. You are free to return to work or go about your day immediately after a session.

The exfoliation process also removes debris, dead skin cells and excess oils from the skin’s surface, which reduces pore clogs. This helps to prevent future breakouts, leading to clearer skin.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Prior to your procedure, the treatment area will be cleansed to remove any debris from the skin’s surface. If your face is being treated, you may be required to wear protective eyewear.

During a microdermabrasion session, the handpiece (whether diamond-tipped or crystal-based) is passed over the treatment area up to three times. The device operator controls the depth of penetration by applying different levels of pressure or adjusting the flow rate of crystals.

Each session lasts between 30 and 30–60 minutes. At the conclusion, any remaining debris or crystals are wiped away from your skin before moisturizer and sunscreen are applied.

How to prepare 

Before undergoing microdermabrasion, abstain from:

• Fillers or neurotoxin injections for 3–4 days before treatment
• Any form of exfoliation for 3–5 days before treatment
• Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 1 week before treatment
• Tanning or waxing for 1 week before treatment
• Isotretinoin use for 6 months before treatment

Be sure to consult with your dermatologist while planning for a procedure. Despite microdermabrasion’s relative safety and lack of severe side effects, it does carry risks for patients with active skin infections or a tendency to develop hypertrophic or keloid scars.

Your doctor may also recommend an alternative procedure if you have rosacea or telangiectasias. If you experience an acne breakout, you will have to wait until it clears up before a session.

Inform your provider of any aluminum allergies you may have, as crystal-based microdermabrasion most often uses aluminum oxide crystals. In such cases, your provider will select a different type of crystal or opt for diamond-tipped microdermabrasion.

How does microdermabrasion work for acne scars?

Optical quality changes. Microdermabrasion is a form of mechanical exfoliation.  This removes the upper layer of skin called the stratum corneum. This aids in the reflectance of light & improved skin quality. Reflective light reduces imperfections on the skin, much like how a white car doesn’t show dings as easily compared to a dark car.

Another minor role is called cytokine cascading.  Small injuries to the upper layers of skin can stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen.

Why do I think dermaplaning is better than microdermabrasion?

Firstly, let me set the stage for this debate. If the feel-good, relaxing feeling of microdermabrasion is something you really enjoy, go for it. This can not be argued as the subjective satisfaction rate of a relaxing facial can not be scientifically quantified.

If you seek a treatment that removes a slightly larger layer of the epidermis, a dermal therapist or esthetician equipped with a blade can provide superior results compared to microdermabrasion in a fraction of the time.  Dermaplaning can give faster results with better depth of penetration than microdermabrasion.

How long before I see results?

Immediately. That is the beauty of the polishing properties of microdermabrasion, as it removes the dead layer of skin cells, improving light transmission.

Are the results from microdermabrasion permanent?

No. The results from microdermabrasion typically last between 2 to 3 weeks.  When new skin regenerates, the optical illusion of microdermabrasion is lost. There are, however, a few tricks you can implement to prolong the effectiveness of microdermabrasion, including the use of retinoids & skin care acids to continue the exfoliation process.

How can I prolong the effects of microdermabrasion?

Simple exfoliation at home using skin care acids & retinol can help. Additionally, physical exfoliation can be useful. The use of glycolic or lactic acid washes every second night (as tolerated) as well as the use of good formulations of vitamin A (retinol) can speed up turnover of skin cells.

As your skin heals, it will be more sensitive to damage caused by the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. For 24–48 hours after a microdermabrasion session, avoid direct sunlight. Be sure to regularly apply SPF 30 sunscreen for at least three weeks after each treatment.

Avoid using topical acne products and harsh skin care products such as chemical peels during the healing process. Include a moisturizer in your skincare routine to reduce the likelihood of side effects and to help decrease the severity of any side effects you may already be experiencing.

Possible side effects

Side effects of microdermabrasion are mild and temporary and typically fade after a few hours or one day at most. You may experience:

• Skin redness
• Tenderness and sensitivity
• Bruising or broken capillaries
• Petechiae: small, dark red spots that indicate bleeding beneath the skin’s surface
• Dry skin

Microdermabrasion may very rarely cause a skin rash or infection. It may also reactivate dormant skin infections, such as cold sores.

Patients with darker skin tones may experience skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation after treatment. This discoloration usually resolves on its own, but if not, your dermatologist can prescribe a topical cream or ointment to aid in the healing process.

Results and Efficacy

Limited research has been conducted into the efficacy of microdermabrasion for the treatment of acne scars. What research has been conducted suggests moderate efficacy, with superficial erythematous scars being the form of scars most effectively treated.

Anecdotal reports suggest microdermabrasion has varying success rates in the treatment of shallow boxcar scars. Some patients report little to no change, while others see significant reduction of scarring and noticeable improvements to the texture of their skin.

Smoothing of ridges and edges around acne scars should be noticeable immediately after treatment. Your acne scars may also appear more shallow. Further beneficial effects may become apparent over the course of the healing process, as collagen begins to fill in any indentations.

How many treatments do you need?

Four to six microdermabrasion sessions are usually needed to significantly reduce the appearance of acne scars; more severe scarring may require up to 16 sessions.

Because microdermabrasion is gentle and causes only mild side effects, little wait time is needed between sessions. Procedures can usually be carried out one to two weeks apart.

Acne Scar Formation—How Did This Happen to Me?

Acne scars are a result of tissue destruction that came from inflamed pimples and cysts. When you had red, tender and swollen pimples, the infection literally destroyed tissue at various levels of your skin. Picking and squeezing likely made things worse, but when you have acne, it’s hard to think about anything past making it go away!

Scar tissue itself is denser than normal skin and tends to contract, so you often see young scars deepen as time passes—a good reason to treat earlier than later.  Scar tissue does not share the same regenerative properties of undamaged skin since it’s missing hair follicles and a healthy blood supply. This makes successful treatment without substantial downtime more difficult and lengthy. But scars CAN BE IMPROVED!

Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic procedure. Medical insurance doesn’t typically cover the cost.

Preparing for microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure. There’s very little you need to do to prepare for it.

It’s a good idea to discuss your skin concerns with a skincare professional to find out if microdermabrasion is the right fit for you. Discuss any past cosmetic procedures and surgeries, as well as allergies and medical conditions.

You may be told to avoid sun exposure, tanning creams, and waxing for about a week before treatment. You may also be advised to stop using exfoliating creams and masks approximately 3 days prior to treatment.

Remove any makeup and cleanse your face before the procedure begins.

How does microdermabrasion work?

Microdermabrasion is an in-office procedure that usually takes about an hour. It’s typically performed by a licensed skin care professional, who may or may not be under the supervision of a healthcare provider. This depends on what state you live in.

It’s not necessary to use anesthesia or a numbing agent for microdermabrasion.

During your appointment, you’ll be seated in a reclining chair. Your provider will use a handheld device to gently spray on the particles or sand away the outer layer of skin in the targeted areas. At the end of the treatment, a moisturizer as well as sunscreen will be applied to your skin.

Microdermabrasion was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1996. Since then, hundreds of microdermabrasion devices have been produced.

There are a few different ways to do the procedure, based on the specific device used:

Diamond-tip handpiece

A diamond-tip handpiece is designed to gently exfoliate dead cells in your skin. At the same time, it will suction them off immediately.

The depth of the abrasion may be affected by the pressure applied on the handpiece as well as how long the suction is allowed to remain on the skin. This type of microdermabrasion applicator is generally used in more sensitive facial areas, like close to the eyes.

Crystal microdermabrasion

Crystal microdermabrasion uses a crystal-emitting handpiece to gently spray on fine crystals to rub away outer layers of the skin. Like the diamond-tip handpiece, dead skin cells are suctioned off right away.

The different types of crystals that may be used include aluminum oxide and sodium bicarbonate.

Hydradermabrasion

Hydradermabrasion is a newer method. It involves combining simultaneous crystal-free exfoliation and infusion of products into the skin. The process is said to stimulate collagen production and maximize blood flow to your skin.

Side effects of microdermabrasion

Common side effects of microdermabrasion include mild tenderness, swelling, and redness. These generally go away within a few hours after treatment.

You might be advised to use a moisturizer to minimize dry and flaky skin. Minor bruising may also occur. This is mostly caused by the suction process during the treatment.

What to expect after microdermabrasion

There is little to no downtime after microdermabrasion. You should be able to resume your daily activities immediately.

Keep your skin hydrated and use gentle skin care products. Avoid using topical acne medications for at least one day after treatment. It’s extremely important to protect your skin with sunscreen. Your skin can be more sensitive to the sun in the few weeks after the treatment.

You can expect to see noticeable results immediately after the procedure. The number of microdermabrasion sessions needed will depend on the severity of your skin concerns as well as your expectations.

Nonsurgical procedures

Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, such as microdermabrasion, offer a means to treat acne scars without the downtime associated with cosmetic surgery. Nonsurgical treatments include:

• Dermabrasion
• Hydradermabrasion or HydraFacials
• Chemical peels
• Microneedling
• Dermal fillers
• Laser resurfacing

Surgical procedures

A dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can perform surgery to eliminate or reduce the appearance of acne scars. Common surgeries include:

• Punch excision
• Skin grafting
• Subcision

OTC treatments

Over-the-counter topicals and cosmetics can be valuable tools to exfoliate and increase collagen production. OTC treatments include:

• Retinoids
• Salicylic acid, a type of beta-hydroxy acid
• Alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid
• Vitamin C
• Face masks 

Microdermabrasion uses the body’s reparative wound healing process to resurface and retexture the skin. This procedure can reduce the appearance of imperfections such as acne scars.

Microdermabrasion is not suited for all types of acne scarring but may be effective for treating superficial erythematous scars and shallow boxcar scars. Microdermabrasion is ineffective for treating raised or especially deep acne scars; however, many alternative procedures are available for treating these types of scars.

As with other skin conditions, multiple microdermabrasion sessions will likely be needed to achieve ideal results. Fortunately, microdermabrasion is a relatively low-cost procedure that requires no downtime and only causes mild side effects.

Conclusion

Acne scars develop when the healing process following an acne breakout is disrupted. Collagen, a protein responsible for giving skin its structure, is destroyed or lost in 80–90% of cases in which scars form. The result is an indentation or depression called an atrophic scar, the most common type of acne scar.

In some cases, the disrupted healing process results in an excessive increase in collagen production. This results in raised scars, known as hypertrophic or keloid scars.

Microdermabrasion is a form of physical exfoliation that buffs away the stratum corneum, the very thin topmost layer of skin. This triggers the body’s wound healing response and results in increased collagen production. This newly produced collagen begins to fill in and smooth acne scars while rejuvenating and resurfacing the skin.

Microdermabrasion can be performed in one of two ways: with a diamond-tipped handpiece or a spray of fine crystals. For both, a suction device is used to vacuum away debris, dead cells and oil from the skin’s surface as it is exfoliated.