Dermabrasion is a process in which a thick material is used to scrape a certain part of the skin until it reaches the dermis. According to Kerry Benjamin, beautician and founder of StackedSkinCare, professional exfoliation such as dermaplaning, microdermabrasion and peels, steam and extractions can work wonders on non-inflammatory acne scars and prevent more severe acne. If acne tends to lean on the severe side (such as cystic acne), it is recommended to consult a beautician every two weeks for professional extractions and exfoliation until the inflammation has subsided. Once your acne is a little more controlled, or if you have minimal acne, you can space out your treatments monthly and continue with an at-home regimen.
Chemical peels are great for fine lines, dryness, and are safe for many skin types, but they are particularly adept at minimizing acne scars. They are exfoliating treatments that use natural acids in different concentrations to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. Depending on your skin condition and type, your esthetician will select the right peel (superficial, medium, or deep) for you and avoid using acids that are risky (i.e., too strong) for your skin tone. Although facials can be beneficial for all skin types, experts recommend that there are some exceptions. Patients with rosacea, severe acne and very sensitive skin should avoid abrasive physical exfoliation such as microdermabrasion and HydraFacial.
In addition to monthly facials, it is recommended to use a daily mild cleanser, a chemical scrub two or three times a week, a vitamin C serum every morning, and retinol two to five times a week to keep acne at bay. Dermabrasion is one of the most effective and common treatments for facial scars. While using the same general principle as microdermabrasion kits you can do at home, healthcare professionals use tools to more deeply exfoliate the top layer of skin. Before undergoing any facial treatment for acne scars, it is important to ask some common sense questions to determine if it is safe for the patient. If they answer “Yes” to any of them, they should avoid exfoliation.
Don't worry though; there are some treatments that actually work to fade and ultimately eliminate traces of acne that don't involve any spongy facial treatments you might experience in spas. After 48 hours of treatment, you should see longer-lasting results such as fading of acne scars and pigmentation, and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Before even thinking about treating possible acne scars, all active acne lesions must be completely eliminated according to Dr. Stefanie Williams, dermatologist and medical director of EUDELO Dermatology & Skin Wellbeing. Acne enters the affected pore, the area around the pilosebaceous unit becomes inflamed and reddened. While most specific skin care products will help reduce the appearance of acne scars, they won't completely eliminate them.
Microneedling alone isn't effective enough to remove acne scars, but combining them into one treatment does work. When over-the-counter and prescription topicals don't work, there are professional procedures that can help cure and prevent active acne and improve the appearance of scars. Depending on the severity, patients with acne may experience post-inflammatory scarring and hyperpigmentation after an outbreak. Acne scars are best addressed with multiple different treatment modalities that address the different components; therefore it is important to work with your dermatologist to determine the best regimen for your level of healing. Some of the following scar treatments cannot be done in conjunction with typical acne medications, and inflammation caused by breakouts can also reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. The best facial treatments for acne are vitamin A infusions and chemical peels, but there are plenty of facial treatments to choose from.
Some of the best treatments for acne scars can significantly decrease the discoloration and texture that a blemish can leave behind. In addition to undergoing monthly facials, dermatologists recommend using chemical ingredients such as AHAs and BHAs (scrubs) to eliminate acne and reduce skin breakouts. These ingredients have the added benefit of lightening acne scars because they stimulate cell renewal and are anti-inflammatory. Like other intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments, it uses narrow bands of light to kill bacteria and attack the red discoloration of active acne.
