What are the treatment options for acne scars?

Depressed scars may be narrow, broad, shallow or tethered beneath the skin, while raised scars have excess scar tissue. Dark or red marks after acne are different from a true change in skin texture. Active acne should be controlled before many scar procedures, and the plan should account for your skin tone and tendency to develop darker or raised healing marks.

Microneedling and RF microneedling create controlled treatment points that encourage new collagen. Acne scar laser treatment, CO2 laser resurfacing or a chemical peel can resurface selected areas, with recovery and pigment risk depending on the method. Subcision releases fibrous bands that pull a depressed scar down; dermal fillers can support certain hollows. Punch excision removes a small individual scar and closes the site. A clinician may combine methods, protect the skin from sun and stage procedures rather than treat every scar identically.

Arrange a consultation when scars are stable but affecting your comfort or confidence, or when you are unsure whether a mark is a scar or active acne. Seek prompt review for a painful, enlarging, bleeding or ulcerated area, since those features need diagnosis rather than cosmetic treatment. Report unusual swelling, pus or worsening pain after a procedure.

Ask which scar types you have, what improvement is realistic, how many treatment visits may be needed, and how your skin tone changes the risk of post-treatment pigmentation. Ask about downtime, aftercare and alternatives.