Dermabrasion is a surgical procedure that may help remove acne scars. Using a special device, the surgeon removes the outermost layer of the skin. During healing, a new layer of skin replaces the old layer, resulting in a smoother appearance.

Microdermabrasion is a mild form of dermabrasion that involves gentle blasting of the skin with abrasive particles, such as salt or aluminum oxide crystals. The procedure gently scrapes away the scarred skin and new skin growth occurs during healing.