Acne Scar Treatment

Acne scars are changes in the skin's texture or colour left after acne heals: depressed scars (ice-pick, boxcar and rolling), raised scars, and dark or red marks. Treatment aims to soften scars and improve texture over a course of sessions; scars can usually be improved, but rarely disappear completely.

Active acne is treated first, because new breakouts can cause new scars. The approach depends on the type of scar and your skin type, and several treatments are often combined.

What types of acne scars are treated?

• Atrophic (depressed) scars – ice-pick, boxcar and rolling scars
• Hypertrophic and keloid scars – thick, raised scars caused by excess collagen
• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – dark marks left after acne, which are not true scars and often fade with treatment and sun protection

Which treatments are used for acne scars?

• Fractional laser (CO2 or erbium) – resurfaces the skin and stimulates collagen to improve texture; involves several days of redness and peeling
• Microneedling, with or without PRP – stimulates collagen with less downtime than laser
• Chemical peels – improve marks, pigmentation and mild surface scarring
• Subcision – releases the fibrous bands that pull rolling scars down
• Dermal fillers – temporarily lift selected depressed scars

Raised and keloid scars need a different approach, which is discussed at consultation.

What results and side effects should you expect?

Improvement is gradual and usually needs several sessions spaced weeks apart; most people see smoother texture rather than clear skin. Downtime depends on the treatment, from little or none after a light peel to several days of redness and peeling after fractional laser. On Indian skin there is a risk of temporary darkening (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), which is reduced by choosing appropriate settings, preparing the skin and strict sun protection. Results vary between individuals.

Who can benefit from acne scar treatment?

• Anyone with established acne scars whose active acne is under control
• People with pitted, raised or pigmented scars
• People with uneven skin texture after acne