Acne is an upsetting condition that can be sometimes very difficult to clear, its treatment usually involving the application to the skin of a multitude of cleansers and other potions in a long process of trial and error that can be extremely frustrating for the patient. Clear skin, when it is finally achieved, is thus a thing to be cherished by most former sufferers, and most certainly not something to be taken lightly. So while there is little doubt that recovered acne patients will view their often scarred skin with disappointment, many are unwilling to risk its hard won clarity by trying scar reducing techniques, such as micro dermabrasion, chemical peels or laser treatment. And while medical advances are improving these techniques all the time - micro dermabrasion, for example, was developed as a gentler form of more traditional dermabrasion - those with delicate skin would be wise to carefully weigh up the possible advantages of receiving treatment with the possible risks.

Many former acne patients value the current health of their skin so highly that they do not wish to compromise it by engaging in a treatment that might improve the look of their skin further for fear that they might find themselves plummeting back to the bad old days. Acne is a condition that can be painful both physically and psychologically, resulting in scars to self-esteem and confidence as well as to the skin, and is something that no recovered sufferer wishes to revisit. But while it is understandable that patients wish to preserve the clarity of their skin, the fear that micro dermabrasion, for instance, will result in a resurgence of acne is unfounded. Acne is caused specifically by the body's overproduction of sebum, and this is not something that dermabrasion machines will induce.

But micro dermabrasion is not foolproof, and can give poor results. Though this treatment is gentler than the use of dermabrasion machines, which require the use of local anaesthetics and can leave skin quite raw, it can sometimes yield disappointing results. These kinds of treatments are also expensive, an important aspect to the patient who has probably already spend large sums of money on curing their acne problem. Many patients prefer to use home dermabrasion kits, which are not only cheaper, but leave the patient in control of their treatment. This can be an ideal way to try out this type of treatment, to better decide whether it is appropriate for them.