Acne Scars: Treatment and Removal

Post-acne appears as uneven skin texture and scars. Scars are formed when a breakout penetrates the skin deeply and damages the tissues beneath it. Pitted scars, rosy erythema and pigmentation patches can linger for months – even years. Noticeable aesthetic defects often cause psychological discomfort for both men and women.

Many treatments are out there to help fade the various forms of acne scarring – including microneedling, microdermabrasion, lasers and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), and fractional ablative laser resurfacing.

Before treating scars, it’s important to know what type they are. Some treatments are better for particular types than others. Book your consultation with our medical practitioners to develop an individualized treatment plan.

Radiofrequency

This procedure uses radiofrequency waves to help your skin produce collagen and elastin. When your skin has more of these, acne scars are less noticeable.

Microneedling

The process involves using tiny needles to create micro-punctures in the skin. Microneedling kick-starts cellular renewal, resulting in greater collagen and elastin production. This treatment helps reduce the appearance of acne scars and related discoloration, and improves skin texture and tone.

Using microneedling with radiofrequency can produce less noticeable acne scars than either microneedling or radiofrequency alone.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive procedure that improves skin condition through gentle exfoliation. It is effective for treating mild to moderate acne and can help to reduce acne scars. Microdermabrasion also minimizes pore size and evens out skin tone.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy

IPL therapy is a gentle, non-invasive method for treating acne and post-acne conditions. It targets the skin with short, intense light pulses, providing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and seboregulating effects. IPL normalizes sebaceous gland secretion, reduces pore size, smooths the epidermis, and improves overall skin appearance.

Laser Resurfacing

Cutting-edge laser technologies are highly effective in diminishing the appearance of scars. Precise laser beams target scar tissue, breaking it down and promoting normal skin cell regeneration. As a result, this procedure helps to enhance the skin’s surface, leading to a much smoother and more evenly toned skin texture.

One of the primary strengths of laser treatment lies in its precise tissue targeting. By adjusting the laser’s wavelength, intensity, and duration, medical professionals can accurately direct the laser beam to specific tissues while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This level of precision ensures effective treatment delivery and enhances patient safety.

Laser Comparison — Er:YAG vs CO2

Treatment guide

Er:YAG vs CO2 Laser

There are different types of lasers. Ablative lasers direct concentrated beams of light at the skin to vaporize the outer layer. Non-ablative lasers penetrate deeper to stimulate collagen production. Two types of lasers are used for ablative skin resurfacing: erbium (Er:YAG) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

	Er:YAG 2940 nm Erbium YAG laser	CO2 10,600 nm Carbon dioxide laser
Depth of penetration	Superficial (mainly epidermis)	Deeper (reaches dermis)
Tissue effect	More gentle, less thermal damage	More aggressive, more thermal damage
Procedure	Cold method — interacts with upper skin layers	Penetrates deeply into tissues
Effectiveness	Mild to moderate scars	Moderate to severe scars
Skin types	All types, particularly lighter skin	More suitable for lighter skin — higher risk for darker skin
Painfulness	Topical anesthesia — painless	Local anesthesia — some discomfort
Risk of side effects	Lower risk of hyperpigmentation & scarring	Higher risk of hyperpigmentation & scarring
Downtime	A few days to one week	One to several weeks

Fotona Fractional Ablative Resurfacing and Acne Scars Revision

We use the innovative Fotona SP Dynamis Pro laser system to resurface the skin with acne scars in our clinic.

Laser light gently ablates the skin`s superficial layers, revealing healthy skin underneath. The precise micro-ablated channels will be replaced with new, tighter and healthier tissue as the new skin forms. The laser additionally induces a skin-tightening effect.

The result is reduced downtime and increased patient comfort.

Please note that the individual results will vary depending on the individual and the targeted area. Any details provided here are general and should not replace professional consultation.