Microdermabrasion is an exfoliating technique that employs aluminum oxide crystals to slough off dead skin cells and remove the superficial layers of surface skin. This resurfacing process, similar to sandblasting (only on a much smaller scale) can remove acne scarring as well as wrinkles and stretch marks.

While this is a relatively painless treatment, the results can vary from one person to another. In fact, severe cases may require several treatments in order to completely clear up the problem. However, the process does work. The exfoliating process cleans out your pores, eliminating the oil, grime and dead skin cells that tend to plug up your pores and cause acne in the first place. In milder cases of acne, you’ll see results almost instantly. In more severe cases, as we’ve mentioned, it may take longer.

What About Elevated Acne Scars?

Severe cases of acne often leave behind elevated scars that can make you self-conscious. For many years, there was nothing that could be done to minimize these scars. If you were a man, you could grow a beard to help hide them. If you were a woman, you could apply heavy makeup. But they were always there just the same … grim reminders of difficult times.

With microdermabrasion, these elevated acne scars can actually be eliminated or certainly minimized to the point where they’re barely noticeable.

This is not something you’ll be able to at home on your own using a cream. You’ll need to see a dermatologist who is skilled in microdermabrasion. A specialist will be able to tell you exactly what you can expect from the treatments, the improvements you can expect to see and where the treatments might not be as effective as you’d like. Mircodermabrasion is not a cure all. It won’t make your skin perfect. But it can dramatically improve your appearance. Your dermatologist can explain its successes and limitations.

Microdermabracion Home Treatments

Yes, you can even try microdermabrasion on your acne scars at home. This form of treatment comes in a cream taht’s applied directly to the scarred area. Within the cream, fine mirco crystals work to exfoliate damaged and dead skin cells, oil deposits and other deep-seated material that may be blocking your pores. The process promotes the regeneration of new skin cells, softens you skin, and helps to level the texture of your skin.

While a microdermabrasion cream can work well for those with severe acne conditions, it will not be as effective for those who have pitted or ice-picked acne scars deeply embedded in the skin. The process is most effective for surface acne scars that are high and can be smoothed or leveled. Also note that it’s not a good choice for people who suffer from herpes, rosacea, warts, lupus, warts and diabetes.

Microdermabrasion for acne skin scarring can provide an important solution for dealing with your acne problem. Not only can it treat existing acne, it can prevent future outbreaks. If you’re dealing with severe acne visit your dermatologist to see if mircodermabrasion is an option for you. If you’re dealing with mild acne, consider trying a microdermabraion cream.

Acne is a common skin condition that most often affects those with oily skin. It’s not the result of poor hygiene. It’s not the result of stress. It’s not the result of wearing makeup. It is the result of blocked hair follicles that allow bacteria to grow.

The most basic approach to avoiding or at least minimizing acne is simple and straightforward – keep your skin clean and oil free. With that in mind, here are some suggestions for controlling your acne by eliminating the oil on your face and your hair (oil from your hair can find its way to your neck, your forehead, your cheeks, and nose, so you really want to give equal attention to clean hair):

Acne Tip #1 – Wash Your Face With Plain Water

Wash your face regularly with plain water (no soap) throughout the day. Those particular times when you want to wash include times when your body has been warm and you’ve been sweating. After exercise, for instance. But also after you’ve been working in the house or in the back garden, out doing some shopping on a warm day, or even if you’ve been on a casual walk. These are all times when your skin (the same as the rest of your body) requires hydrating and you don’t want oil or dirt clogging the pores.

Acne Tip #2 – Shampoo Regularly

As mentioned above, your hair can create oil that spreads to your face and neck, so you want to shampoo daily to minimize this possibility. Oil and grime form the foundation of the acne cycle. The better you are at interrupting this cycle, the less trouble you’ll have with skin blemishes.

Acne Tip #3 – Stay Out of The Sun

As fashionable as a tan can be these days, please be smart and protect yourself from the sun. This is especially important if you’re already prone to oily skin. Studies have linked too much sun with skin damage as severe as cancer, but it also creates an oil environment that’s ripe for the bacteria that creates acne. If you have to be outside in the sun, wear sunscreen, preferrably one that isn’t oil based.

Acne Tip #4 – Use Non-Comedogenic Makeup

While makeup in itself won’t cause acne, it can contribute to the problem by clogging your pores. Avoid oil-based cosmetics. Instead, use non-comedogenic makeup, which in theory is not supposed to block your pores. While recent research has indicated that acne may be reduced by noncomedogenic products, it’s still has yet to be verified in clinical trials. However, at the very least, these products won’t aggravate an existing problem. So they are probably your best bet at this time.

Acne Tip #5 – Use Deep Pore Cleansing Facials

A deep pore cleansing facial includes cleansing, steam, extractions, facial massage and a facial mask. Very expensive when you have to go to a salon to have it done. However, you can purchase packs which allow you to do a deep pore facial cleansing at home. This is an excellent way to keep your face oil free and minimize the potential for acne. A regular routine every two weeks should do the trick nicely.

Is there a relationship between your skin type and your struggle with acne? Many dermatologists believe there is. So what are the different skin types, and which ones are more likely to create trouble for acne sufferers?

There are five primary skin types, though some authors and researches have defined even more. These primary types are:

1. Normal Skin - when we refer to skin as being normal, it simply means that it’s not too dry and not too oily. It’s the least problematic sky type. Smooth. Firm, with age-appropriate elasticity. Healthy pores. Few, if any, blemishes. It’s the skin type we all wish we had.

2. Dry Skin - this is similar to a smoker’s skin. It’s dry and flaky, not as elastic as it should be, and tends to wrinkle dramatically as you age. It can be caused by over-exposure to the sun and elements, or it can be inherited. Your skin will often feel tight if you have this skin type.

3. Oily Skin - this skin type tends to cause the most trouble for those with acne. It’s oily, often sticky to the touch, and tends to glisten. The oil will often clog your pores, creating an environment that encourages baterial growth, and therefore you’ll tend to experience continual outbreaks of black heads and acne.

4. Combination Skin - this is skin that’s particularly difficult to label. Sometimes it’s dry, sometimes it’s oily. Making your skin care even more difficult, you can actually have areas of your face that are particularly oil while at the same time other areas are particularly dry. Very challenging.

5. Sensitive Skin - this skin type is easily irritated by environmental influences. Allergies, stings, burns, abrasions can all result in red and blotchy areas. Fortunately, it isn’t necessarily any more prone to black heads and acne than normal skin.

You can see now how skin type can affect your acne. When your pores become clogged with dead skin cells, which spurs the gwoth of bacteria, a black head or white head can develop. Those skin types that are more likely to promote this situation are the oily skin and the combination skin. In fact, oily skin is by far the worst culprit.

For those with dry skin, if you’re still encountering black heads, blemishes, and even acne, then you’ll want to add a non-oil based moisturizer to your daily routine. In addition, you’ll want to wash your face regularly with plain water in order to keep your skin clean and your pores clear.

Those with oil skin, on the other hand, will want to wash regularly with plain water and use something along the lines of benzoyl peroxide to help keep the oil from building up. You’ll want to discuss your options with a dermatologist, who can not only evaluate what type of skin you have, but the safest way to heal it and prevent future acne outbreaks.