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In the past decade a technique known as skin resurfacing has quickly become a popular way of treating the signs of aging and sun damage. It has even proven helpful by helping some people rid acne scars from their face. There are several different options that you can choose from. To make the right choice, you'll need to know what they entail.

Some of the most common resurfacing techniques include: laser therapy, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. Each one of these procedures has its own set of pros and cons. Here is a general overview of each of them.

Acne Scarring &Laser Therapy

Every day it becomes more and more common to treat acne scars with laser therapy. This type of procedure uses a carbon dioxide laser to literally "burn off" certain layers of the skin. If you decide to undergo this type of treatment you can undergo either ablative laser therapy or non-ablative laser therapy.

Ablative laser therapy removes the epidermis and, therefore, leaves visible signs of treatment which will require down time. Non-ablative treatments deal with the underlying layers of skin. This makes the damage less visible and recovery time less necessary.

Chemical Peels for Acne Scarring

A popular way of resurfacing acne scars has been with the use of chemicals peels. This procedure helps remove or peel off dead skin by using different chemicals. The removal of these skin cells will help promote the growth of new, healthier layers of skin.

Retinoic acid peels are the best type of treatment for treating acne scars. This type of skin treatment can also help improve the common signs of aging skin such as wrinkles and age spots. Stronger acids are necessary if your acne scars are deep.

Downtime will depend on the depth of the peel. Light peels usually do not require anesthesia or a recovery period. However, if you undergo medium and deep chemical peels you will require anesthesia, pain medication, and even a few weeks to recover.

Microdermabrasion for Acne Scars and Acne Scarring

If you prefer a gentler way of treating your skin problems, then microdermabrasion is a good option. If you have minor scars, this is also a good option for you. However, keep in mind that this type of treatment will take longer to produce any noticeable results.

This procedure doesn't require medical assistance, but it should always be performed in sterile conditions to minimize the risk of infection. As a matter of fact, microdermabrasion can be done in a spa, salon or a doctor's office.

Lately, microdermabrasion systems have become so popular that they are now available for at home treatment. These systems usually include a portable machine with sponge or brush attachments. They are generally used with a microdermabrasion cream.

One of the benefits of having at-home treatments is that they can be done more frequently than traditional microdermabrasion.