Acne scarring can usually be improved, but no single device works for every scar. There are several different types of acne scar, and each responds to different treatments, so an accurate assessment of your scars, your skin type and whether your acne is still active matters more than which machine is used.
This guide is part of our skin service. It explains what a doctor looks at, why the order of treatment matters, and what results are realistic.
What type of acne scars do I have?
Acne scars are not all the same. Most people have a mix of types, which is one reason a one-size approach tends to disappoint.
- Ice pick scars: narrow, deep scars that look like small punctures
- Boxcar scars: wider depressions with sharp edges
- Rolling scars: broad, shallow dips that give the skin a wavy look, caused by bands of tissue pulling the surface down
- Raised scars: thickened scars that sit above the skin, more common on the chest, back and jawline, and more likely in people prone to keloids
It also helps to separate true scars from marks. Red or brown marks left after spots have healed are often not scars at all. They can fade by themselves over months, and they are treated very differently. You can read more on our acne scarring page.
Why does active acne need treating first?
Treating scars while acne is still active is a bit like repainting a wall with a leak behind it. New spots create new scars, and inflamed skin is more likely to react badly to procedures.
So the first step is often to get active acne under control. That may involve skincare, prescription treatments we can discuss at your appointment, or, for more severe or scarring acne, referral to a dermatologist. NICE guidance recommends that people with acne that is causing scarring are considered for specialist referral, and we will follow that where it applies. Our acne page and our post on adult acne and hormones explain this further.
Related readingAdult acne: when it is hormonal and what a doctor looks forRead the article →Why the assessment matters more than the device
Different scars need different tools. A treatment that helps rolling scars may do little for ice pick scars, and the reverse is also true. When I assess acne scarring, I look at:
- Which scar types are present and where
- How deep the scars are, and whether they soften when the skin is stretched
- Your skin type and how prone it is to pigment changes
- Whether you tend to form raised or keloid scars
- Your medical history, medicines and any recent acne treatment, some of which affect how safely the skin can be treated
- How much downtime you can realistically manage
We also use AURA 3D skin analysis to record texture and pigment, which helps plan treatment and gives an objective way to compare progress over time.
What treatments can help acne scars?
Most people need a combination of approaches, planned in a sensible order. Options a doctor may discuss include:
- Microneedling: fine needles create controlled micro-injuries that encourage collagen remodelling. See Dermapen microneedling.
- Fractional laser: treats tiny columns of skin to improve texture. See UltraClear laser and LaserMe.
- Chemical peels: can improve surface texture and marks. See chemical peels.
- Subcision: a technique under local anaesthetic that releases the bands of tissue that tether rolling scars.
- Skincare: daily sun protection and medical-grade skincare support results and reduce the risk of pigment problems.
Not every option suits every person, and some may not be right for you at all.
What results are realistic?
Treatment aims to improve scars, not erase them. Many people see a meaningful softening of texture, and the skin often looks smoother in normal light. Improvement usually builds over several sessions spaced weeks apart, and collagen continues to remodel for months afterwards.
Darker skin tones can be treated, but they carry a higher risk of pigment changes after some procedures. That shapes which treatments we choose, the settings we use and how we prepare the skin. If you are looking for acne scar treatment in Birmingham or nearby, ask any provider how they adjust treatment for your skin type.
When to see a doctor sooner
See your NHS GP promptly if:
- You have painful, deep lumps or cysts, or your acne is leaving new scars
- Acne has started suddenly in adulthood alongside irregular periods, extra facial or body hair, or weight changes
- Acne is affecting your mood, sleep or confidence
After a skin procedure, seek advice the same day for increasing redness, heat, swelling, pain or pus, blistering, or a fever. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, please get help today: call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, contact Samaritans on 116 123, or call 999 in an emergency.
This list is not exhaustive. If you are not sure about something, see a doctor.
How we approach this at Aarva
You see a doctor first. At your skin consultation we take a full history, examine your skin closely, use AURA 3D analysis, and explain which scar types you have and what is likely to help. If active acne needs treating first, we start there.
You leave with a written treatment plan with clear pricing, and there is no pressure to book on the day. If a treatment will not help your scars, we will tell you. Read about what to expect, meet our doctors, or explore our skin services. For patches of darker skin rather than scarring, our post on melasma or pigmentation may help.
Questions patients ask
Can acne scars be removed completely?
Usually not completely. Treatment aims to soften and improve scars, and many people see a meaningful change in texture over several sessions. A doctor can tell you what is realistic for your scars.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need several sessions spaced a few weeks apart, often combining more than one type of treatment. The number depends on your scar types, depth and skin type.
Can I treat scars while I still have spots?
It is usually better to get active acne under control first. New spots can create new scars, and inflamed skin is more likely to react to procedures.
Are red marks after acne the same as scars?
Not always. Red or brown marks left after spots often fade by themselves over months and are treated differently from true scars. A doctor can help tell the difference.
If acne scarring bothers you and you want an honest assessment first, book a consultation with a doctor, or use find your starting point to see which appointment fits.
This article is general information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
