Is chemical peel vs microdermabrasion better for moderate acne scars and sun damage?

Thank you for your question. At my practice, I have gotten excellent results for scarring with Fraxel. This treatment eliminates irregular skin discoloration, and stimulates new collagen production, tightening the skin without prolonged recovery. After a series of 2 to 4 Fraxel treatments, the cumulative cosmetic improvement is near more aggressive lasers, but unlike more aggressive lasers, redness and swelling eliminated within 2 to 4 days after each treatment. Fraxel is outstanding for fine wrinkles, mild skin laxity, irregular pigmentation, acne scars, surgical scars, enlarged pores, stretch marks, age spots and Rosacea. It can be used safely on the face, neck, hands, arms, and chest.

Microdermabrasion will remove the top, dry, rough skin layers and will leave your skin softer and smoother. This procedure is similar to how your skin would feel after a nice facial. Microdermabrasion will have  very little to no effect at all on acne scars (even mild ones), as these scars are within and often extend below the deeper skin layers. Even the deepest laser resurfacing, surgical dermabrasion, or strongest chemical peel will not completely remove or eliminate moderate or severe acne scars.

However, all of these options will have some beneficial effect on your skin, removing much of the sun-damaged irritations or rough patches (actinic keratoses), and improving, but not eliminating the acne scars.

As a general rule, you get what you pay for. Lighter chemical peels treat the most superficial layers, make minimal changes in true irregular scars or textural changes in skin, and heal quickly. That is why they are often done in a spa or skin care clinic by estheticians, and don't cost too much.

Stronger peels (higher concentration TCA or phenol peels) go deeper into the skin layers, remove more textural changes and scarring, but will still not be as aggressive as full-face ablative laser resurfacing, which gives the most improvement and best results, but costs more. No matter what procedure you have, the healing still takes about a week, and there may be redness that lasts somewhat longer.

There are many types and strenghts of chem peels which work great for discolorations and sun damage but still usually need to be done 4-6 times.  Microdermabrasions do well to maintain your complexion once the peels get it to where you like it.