Remove Acne Scars with Dermabrasion or Laser?

Dermabrasion or carbon dioxide laser can improve scars from acne substantially in one treatment but there will still be scars. It does depend on what type of scars you have. Ice pick narrow scars that are deep respond differently than craterform shallow scars and deep and wide box car scars. The new Fraxel Re:pair laser might improve the scars and add some tightness but this laser has only been out for a couple of years so long term results and delayed complications could still not be known... more

Dermabrasion was once the Gold standard for treating acne scars. It does work, but it has been supplanted by better treatments. The major drawback with dermabrasion is that it can leave the treated area with hypopigmentation or permanent lightening of the skin. CO2 laser skin resurfacing was the next great thing, with as good or better results, but again left the skin with hypopigmentation. Fractional type lasers have reduced/eliminated the hypopigmentation problem and still give... more

Unfortunately I have to disagree with Ms. Howard. Perhaps she is confusing micro-dermabrasion with surgical dermabrasion. Micro-dermabrasion is done by aestheticans and nurses etc, and it's a very mild form of dermabrasion. The deep of sanding goes only to the epitheilum and does not penentrate into the dermis, hence it is not good for acne scars, but is good for facials, and opening clogged pores. It does not cause bleeding. Surgcial dermabrasion penetrates into the dermis. The face will... more