05/21/2025
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Acne scarring occurs when acne, particularly severe forms like cystic or nodular acne, damages the skin’s tissue, leading to permanent marks.
These scars can be atrophic (indented, like ice pick, boxcar, or rolling scars) or hypertrophic (raised, like keloids). About 10-30% of people with moderate to severe acne develop some scarring, influenced by genetics, delayed treatment, or picking at lesions.
Causes: Inflammation from acne disrupts collagen production, either causing a loss (atrophic) or excess (hypertrophic) of tissue. Picking or popping pimples worsens this.
Treatments: retinoids will help to remodel the skin by increasing skin cell turnover and building collagen
I always suggest my patients start with good active medical grade skincare products. These products, including a retinoid will help to prepare the skin for further treatments
Profractional laser therapy is a fractional laser treatment that targets acne scars by creating microchannels in the skin to stimulate collagen production and resurface damaged tissue. It’s particularly effective for atrophic acne scars (indented scars like boxcar or rolling) and can improve skin texture and tone.
The laser (often an erbium:YAG laser, e.g., Sciton’s ProFractional) delivers precise columns of heat into the skin, leaving surrounding tissue intact. This promotes faster healing and collagen remodeling compared to traditional ablative lasers.
Improves scar appearance by 50-70% after 3-6 sessions, depending on scar severity and skin type. Full results appear 3-6 months post-treatment as collagen rebuilds.
Studies show fractional lasers like Profractional significantly reduce atrophic scar depth (e.g., a 2018 study in Dermatologic Surgery reported 60% improvement in scar texture after 3 sessions).
Cost ranges between $500-$1,500 per session, varying by location, provider, and treatment area size. Multiple sessions (3-6) are often needed, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
