Acne scars
Updated · SkinWise Clinic
Acne scars are lasting changes in skin texture after inflammation. They can be pitted, tethered or raised, and differ from flat red or brown marks. Treatment may improve their appearance, but scar shape, skin response and procedural risk determine the options and limits.
Several scar shapes can occur in one area. Rolling scars have broader depressions, boxcar scars have more defined edges, and ice-pick scars are narrow and deep. Raised scars need a different assessment.
Active breakouts, pigment changes and scars can coexist. Addressing each concern clearly helps avoid expecting a pigment cream to change a deep depression or a scar procedure to prevent all future acne.
Types of acne scars
- Depressions or uneven texture after acne
- Narrow pits or broader areas of tethering
- Raised scars in some people
- Associated flat pigment changes, which are a separate concern
Why acne scars form
- Inflammatory injury and altered healing after acne
- Severity and duration of inflammation
- Individual tendency to scar
- Picking or further injury to inflamed lesions
When to see a dermatologist
Seek advice when acne is causing new scars or when existing scars affect you. Mention any history of keloids, pigment reactions or poor healing before considering procedures.
How acne scars is treated at SkinWise
Scar assessment considers shape, depth and active inflammation. Options may include focal techniques, microneedling or selected resurfacing, sometimes in combination. Availability and suitability are confirmed during consultation; improvement and recovery vary.
Services that treat acne scars
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Can scars be completely erased?
Complete removal cannot be promised. Discuss which features could improve and what limitations remain.
Do I have to wait three acne-free months?
There is no fixed interval for everyone. Current inflammation, medicines and the proposed procedure determine timing.
Is RF a low-risk option for everyone?
No. RF and other procedures have specific risks, including pigment changes and potentially serious injury. The choice needs an individual comparison of benefit and risk.
Ready to start with a consult?
A focused first consultation is where we slow down, map your concern and build the smallest plan that will actually move the needle. No oversell, no fixed menu.