Could microdermabrasion help remove my light acne scars?

May help: Very minimal scarring is helped by deep microdermabrasion treatment. For those deep or moderately deep may require a true mechanical dermabrasion where the epidermis is surgically planed and the skin resurfaces from oil glands, follicles and sweat glands. Usually done by physician due to depth of surgery and to reduce scar risk. Microdermabrasion is usually not deep enough to resolve scars.

Improve not remove: Nothing, sadly, can completely remove scars but several sessions of microdermabrasion might significantly improve your scars. It is hard to say without seeing them but you are definitely on the right track. Find an experienced plastic surgeon in your area who offers more than just one sort of treatment (laser, chemical peel, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, excision, etc.) and go for a consult.

No: Microdermabrasion is a superficial treatment that may leave your skin glowing and may even cause a slight thickening of the dermis (thick layer of skin below the much thinner outer protective layer) but these treatments do not remove acne scars. Various fractional lasers are very helpful for improving acne scarring.

No: Agree with dr. Holcomb's answer.

Answer is collagen: To improve acne scarring you need a treatment that result in collagen formation such as laser resurfacing or chemical peel. Microdermabrasion simply "roughs up" the outer layer of the skin and does not result in any permanent change in terms of collagen formation. I hope this information is helpful. Stephen weber, M.D. Lone tree facial plastic surgeon.