There Is No Single Technique
The goal is to get from the existing ceiling to a sound surface without creating needless damage along the way.
A close look at adhesion and the substrate helps determine whether removal, reduction or resurfacing is appropriate.
Finishing the Exposed Ceiling
Once the texture is removed or reduced, the same questions remain: are joints visible, have old repairs been exposed, and does the ceiling need localized repairs, broader skim coating or both?
Related ceiling work
The useful next step depends on what the ceiling reveals. Read about ceiling skim coating, repair after texture removal, primer and paint, or the factors covered in the cost guide.