Acne scars can be embarrassing reminders of a time when you had less than perfect skin. Now that your face is clear, you probably want to erase all of the traces that this period of your life ever existed. Most people wonder what can really be done about the scarring on their face that stems from their previous acne. Is there a treatment out there that can help to reduce the amount of visible scarring that shows on your cheeks and jawline?
Microdermabrasion is often offered as the solution to your acne scars, but most people wonder whether it is truly effective. How effective is it at really making your acne scars disappear or at least fade? Let’s take a closer look at what microdermabrasion is and how it can help.
What is Microdermabrasion?
Microdermabrasion is simply the process of exfoliating the top layer of the skin so that a new and healthier layer can grow in its place. It usually involves using tiny exfoliating beads or crystals that are sprayed onto the skin. The handheld device slowly works away the outer layer of your skin to reveal smoother and more toned skin. It can be especially helpful as you age and your acne scars become more prominent.
Does it Help Acne Scarring?
The good news is that microdermabrasion does help some light acne scarring. It tends to work best for scars that lie flat on the skin versus those that create larger pits in the skin of the face. These are known as “ice pick scars” and they won’t see the same dramatic reduction in color and intensity as a lighter scar.
Patients who opt for microdermabrasion should be aware that it is ideal for making small and subtle color changes in the skin. If your acne scars are extremely dark or discolored, you may not get a dramatic difference stemming from your microdermabrasion treatment. However, light pink scars may almost disappear under the skilled hands of your doctor. It all depends on the color of the scars, your skin tone, and more.
Can it Help Current Acne?
There’s more good news about microdermabrasion and acne as well. It can actually help to minimize current breakouts by removing dead skin and unclogging the pores. By preventing the breakout from occurring, microdermabrasion is actually minimizing the amount of scarring you will have from picking at the affected area on a regular basis. It can always be a great preventative treatment if you know that your skin is prone to acne flare-ups during certain times of the year.
Before you decide to get microdermabrasion for your acne scars, be sure to consult with your doctor or nurse. This treatment may need to be combined with other procedures or treatments for optimal results and may require multiple treatments. They can give you the best advice about how well the treatment will work to reduce the scarring on your skin. Remember that you want to use a highly qualified dermatologist to find the best results. Be sure to give Dr. Newman’s office a call to schedule your consultation today!
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