Map the scars
Distinguish flat marks from depressions and raised areas. Scar depth, tethering and the surrounding skin guide which intervention might help.
Service
Acne scar treatment
Updated
A plan matched to the shape of the scar and the skin around it.
Acne scars are changes in skin texture, distinct from flat dark marks. Treatment selection depends on whether scars are pitted, tethered or raised, alongside active acne and skin response. Procedures may improve their appearance, but complete removal and a fixed degree of improvement cannot be promised.
About acne scar treatment
Rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars can appear together. Raised scars are a different problem. Examination helps identify which features are most suitable for treatment and which changes may be limited.
A scar plan should explain the likely benefit, recovery, cost and risks of each proposed procedure. Options described here are general clinical choices; the consultation confirms which are suitable and available for your plan.
When an assessment may help
- Pitted or uneven texture after acne
- Scars that remain after breakouts improve
- A wish to compare procedures and their recovery demands
When to reassess or defer treatment
- Active infection or significant inflammation in the treatment area needs assessment first.
- Raised scars or a history of keloids require a different discussion from routine resurfacing.
- Pregnancy, medicines, recent procedures and a tendency to pigment changes can affect timing.
How treatment is planned
Address continuing acne
Ongoing breakouts may create new scars and can affect procedural timing. The decision depends on acne control and the particular intervention, not a fixed acne-free interval for every patient.
Compare benefit and recovery
Microneedling, RF, resurfacing and focal techniques have different trade-offs. Some scars need a combination; a stronger intervention may also mean more recovery or pigment risk.
Assess improvement before repeating
Use comparable photographs and agreed priorities to judge change. More sessions cannot guarantee removal of every scar.
Preparing, recovering and following up
Before
Bring your acne medicines, prior procedure records and any history of abnormal scarring. Discuss work, travel and events when choosing timing.
Recovery
Redness, swelling, discomfort and pigment change depend on the procedure. Ask for written aftercare, the likely recovery range and the contact route for worsening pain, blisters or signs of infection.
Results
Remodelling is gradual. The number of treatments and extent of improvement vary; a flat dark mark may need pigment care rather than scar revision.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be acne-free for three months?
There is no universal three-month rule. Your dermatologist considers current inflammation, infection, medicines and the procedure being proposed before deciding when scar treatment can begin.
Is microneedling-RF safer than every laser?
No universal comparison is supported. Trials comparing RF with fractional CO2 show different balances of improvement, discomfort and pigment effects. RF itself can cause serious injury and needs careful selection and technique.
Will scars disappear completely?
Treatment aims for improvement, not guaranteed complete removal. Shape, depth, skin response and the limits of the available procedures should be discussed before starting.
What if my marks are brown but flat?
They may be post-inflammatory pigmentation rather than a texture scar. An examination can distinguish the concerns and help avoid an unnecessary scar procedure.
Options to discuss
Swipe or scroll to see all columns.
| Concern or option | What may help | What to weigh up |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling or tethered scars | Release techniques such as subcision, sometimes with additional treatment | Tethering, bruising risk and skin response matter. |
| Ice-pick or sharply defined deeper scars | Selected focal techniques, such as CROSS or punch approaches | Depth and pigment or scar risk influence selection. |
| Broader shallow texture changes | Microneedling, RF or selected resurfacing | Benefit must be weighed against recovery and adverse effects. |
| Raised scars | Separate assessment and scar-specific management | Treatments for pitted scars should not be assumed suitable. |
Evidence behind these choices
- Post-acne scar management in skin of colour (2020)
Scar shape, depth and skin response guide procedure selection. This evidence review includes expert judgement where trials are limited and does not support a fixed session count or complete scar removal.
- Fractional CO2 laser versus microneedling-RF: trial review (2026)
Eight small trials found a trade-off: greater scar improvement with CO2 laser, but more pain, pigment change and redness. Results cannot be applied to every device or scar pattern.
- FDA safety communication on RF microneedling (2025)
Serious injuries reported with certain uses include burns, scarring, fat loss and nerve damage. This is a US safety notice, not a statement about SkinWise's equipment or its regulatory status.
- Acne treatment: American Academy of Dermatology guideline (2024)
Supports treatment matched to acne severity and impact, appropriate combinations and limiting antibiotic use. These general points also appear in the AAD's current guidance; consult the linked correction alongside the original paper.
Related reading and services
Conditions we treat with acne scar treatment
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