Although acne medication can lessen and even eliminate acne outbreaks, many patients are left with permanent scars. For these patients, treatment with a form of surgery known as skin dermabrasion can help give the skin a smoother appearance. In this procedure, patients are given a local anesthetic to eliminate pain. Then, a high-speed instrument that resembles a wire brush is used to scrape away the top layer of skin and alter the contour of acne scars. Small scars may be completely removed, while the depth of large scars is reduced considerably. Because the top layer of skin is removed, after the procedure the patient’s skin often appears red and may remain red for a month or more. However, according to Chu, once the skin heals, 70 percent of people who undergo skin dermabrasion report improvement in the appearance of their skin.