How To Get Rid of Acne Scars: Complete Treatment Guide

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Acne scarring is one of the most common cosmetic concerns we see at Centre for Surgery. The condition affects a significant portion of people who have had moderate to severe acne, and it can be a source of considerable distress — because the scarring often the acne itself by decades. The good news: meaningful improvement is achievable for nearly every patient. The less convenient news: it usually takes a combination of treatments delivered over months, rather than a single intervention, and complete is not a realistic goal.

This is the comprehensive hub guide to acne scarring. It covers the different scar types, what realistic treatment options exist, how to choose between them, and where each fits within the broader service at Centre for Surgery’s CQC-regulated Baker Street private hospital.

Why acne causes scars in the first place

Acne is an inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit — the hair follicle and its associated oil gland. When pores become blocked, bacteria (particularly Cutibacterium acnes) proliferate and trigger inflammation. Mild inflammatory acne usually heals without scarring. Deeper, cystic, or nodular acne lesions destroy the surrounding collagen and skin structure, and when the body repairs the damage it lays down replacement collagen that is structurally different from the original skin. That replacement is the scar.

factors increase the risk of scarring:

Once a true scar has formed, it doesn’t go away spontaneously in the way an active acne lesion does. is what improves it.

The different types of acne scars

Most acne scars fall into one of four categories, and the right treatment depends on which type you have. Most patients have a mix.

Narrow, deep, V-shaped scars that look like the skin has been punctured. Usually under 2 mm in diameter at the surface but extending much deeper into the dermis. These are the hardest acne scars to treat because their depth puts them beyond the reach of most resurfacing . TCA CROSS and punch excision are the most effective options for ice-pick scars. For dedicated discussion see .

Broader, U-shaped depressions with sharp vertical edges, typically 1.5–4 mm wide. They look like small or wide pits. Shallow boxcar scars respond well to fractional laser resurfacing and radiofrequency microneedling; deeper boxcar scars may need combined treatment including subcision and punch excision.

Wider, shallow scars with sloping edges that give the skin a wavy, undulating appearance. They are caused by fibrous bands tethering the surface skin to deeper tissue. Subcision (releasing the tethering bands with a fine needle) is the most effective single intervention; radiofrequency microneedling and laser resurfacing add textural improvement.

Raised scars rather than depressed ones, more common on the chest, shoulders and jawline than the face. Hypertrophic scars stay within the original wound boundary; keloids extend beyond it. Both respond to steroid injection, silicone, and laser approaches rather than the resurfacing techniques used for atrophic scars. See

Strictly not a scar — these are dark marks left after an acne lesion heals, particularly in skin types III to VI. PIH usually fades over 6 to 18 months without . It can be accelerated with sun protection, topical retinoids, vitamin C, and selected chemical peels. PIH should be addressed before — or alongside — true scar treatment.

For full background on scar types generally, see .

Will acne scars fade on their own?

Some types do, partially. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation usually fades over 6 to 18 months. Mild rolling scars may become slightly less noticeable as the surrounding skin matures.

True structural acne scars — ice-pick, boxcar, deep rolling — do not meaningfully treatment. Skin elasticity declines with age, which can actually make atrophic scars look more pronounced over decades, not less. Patients who hope the scars will simply fade away typically find the opposite: the scarring a permanent feature unless actively treated.

The implication: if acne scarring is bothering you, waiting won’t fix it. Treatment is what improves it.

Treatment options — the realistic menu

The “Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars” technique applies high-concentration trichloroacetic acid directly into individual ice-pick scars. The controlled chemical injury triggers new collagen formation specifically within the scar, gradually filling it from within. Surrounding healthy skin is largely unaffected. Best treatment for ice-pick scars; useful for narrow boxcar scars; less useful for rolling scars or hypertrophic scars. Typically 2–6 sessions every 4–6 weeks. For full discussion see .

A fine needle or cannula is passed under tethered rolling scars to release the fibrous bands anchoring them to deeper tissue. Once released, the scar lifts up to skin level and the body deposits new collagen in the space. Best treatment for rolling scars; useful as part of combined plans for boxcar scars. Often combined with dermal filler or fat transfer to maintain the lift while collagen forms.

combines microneedles with radiofrequency energy delivered at the depth of the scar. The combination produces both immediate mechanical release of fibrosis and longer-term collagen remodelling. Effective for rolling scars, shallow boxcar scars, and broader textural improvement; less effective as a single treatment for deep ice-pick scars. Typically a course of 3–4 sessions. Safe for all skin types. For dedicated discussion see

Erbium YAG and CO2 fractional lasers produce controlled thermal injury that triggers remodelling across the treated area. Particularly useful for boxcar scars and overall texture improvement. Multiple sessions typically needed. Higher pigmentation risk in darker skin types, where radiofrequency microneedling is often a safer alternative. For dedicated discussion see and .

For individual deep ice-pick scars that don’t respond to TCA CROSS, the scar is removed with a small circular blade and closed with one or two fine sutures. The resulting linear scar is much less visible than the original ice-pick scar. Best reserved for selected deep scars rather than used across broader scarring.

Hyaluronic acid filler injected under depressed scars (usually rolling or boxcar) lifts them to skin level immediately. Typically performed after subcision to keep the scar elevated while collagen forms. Repeat treatment usually needed every 12+ months. For dedicated discussion see

For more substantial volume loss — typically widespread atrophic scarring with significant skin tethering — autologous fat can restore facial volume and improve the appearance of multiple scars simultaneously. Particularly useful for older patients with combined acne scarring and age-related volume loss. See .

For hypertrophic or keloid acne scars. Triamcinolone injected directly into the scar tissue reduces collagen overproduction and flattens the scar. Course of 3–6 sessions every 4–6 weeks. The intervention for raised acne .

How combined treatment works in practice

Most patients with acne scarring benefit from combining several modalities rather than relying on any single one. A typical comprehensive plan for mixed scarring:

The total cost of a comprehensive plan typically ranges from £2,500 to £6,000 over 6 to 12 months, depending on the scar and modalities needed. through Chrysalis is available. For detailed cost discussion see

Active acne must be controlled first

An important sequencing point: treating acne scars while active acne continues simply produces new scars alongside the ones being treated. Most scar also risk worsening active inflammation.

The standard approach: control active acne first (through topical or oral medication, professional acne treatment, or — for severe cases — isotretinoin). Once acne has been controlled for at least 3 to 6 months, scar treatment can begin. Patients on isotretinoin need to complete the course and wait 6 months before starting fractional laser or aggressive .

For patients with active acne, the first step is or appropriate management. Scar work follows, not precedes, getting the acne itself under control.

How long does acne scar treatment take?

Realistic timelines:

Patients hoping for a quick fix are often disappointed. Patients who commit to a full course over 6–12 months typically see substantial improvement that the investment.

Realistic expectations

Acne scarring cannot be completely erased. The underlying skin structure has been permanently altered, and no current treatment can restore the original tissue architecture. What treatment can achieve, with a plan, is:

Patients who arrive expecting “perfect skin” are likely to be even with clinical results. Patients who arrive expecting “significantly better skin” are typically delighted with the same outcomes. Good consultation includes a frank discussion of what is realistically achievable for the scarring pattern present.

What we don’t recommend

Frequently asked questions

There isn’t one. The most effective approach is combined treatment — typically TCA CROSS for ice-pick scars, subcision for rolling scars, and Morpheus8 or fractional laser for broader textural improvement. Single-modality treatment underperforms combined plans.

Most patients see early changes within 4–6 weeks of the first session. Substantial improvement develops over 3–6 months as collagen remodels. Maximum effect is typically visible 6–12 months after the final session of a comprehensive plan.

For a comprehensive plan addressing mixed scarring: typically 6–12 sessions across modalities over 6–12 months. For more scarring, fewer may be enough. The consultation establishes the right plan for your specific .

Single sessions of individual modalities typically £350–800. Comprehensive plans £2,500–6,000 over 6–12 months. is available. For full cost discussion see

Yes — settings need calibration and Morpheus8 radiofrequency microneedling is often safer than aggressive ablative laser for IV–VI skin types. Many of our patients have darker skin types and achieve results with appropriate protocol adjustments.

Generally no. Acne scar treatment is categorised as cosmetic and falls outside routine NHS provision. Most patients proceed privately.

Treated scars don’t typically come back — the collagen remodelling is structural and stable. However, new acne breakouts can produce new scars, which is why acne control matters.

You should wait until your acne is well controlled — ideally 3–6 months stable. Mild ongoing can be managed during scar treatment, but active inflammatory acne should be controlled first to avoid producing new scars alongside treating old ones.

For some patients, particularly those with limited depressed scarring, filler-based treatment alone can produce satisfying results. For most patients with established scarring, filler is one part of a combined plan rather than the whole solution.

Not true scars but often confused with scarring. PIH usually fades over 6–18 months with diligent sun protection and retinoids; chemical peels can accelerate the process. PIH should be settled before — or alongside — true scar treatment.

Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated surgery clinic at 95–97 Baker Street, Marylebone. Our service combines TCA CROSS, subcision, , , dermal fillers, and surgical scar revision where appropriate. Treatment plans are calibrated to your specific scarring pattern and skin type. All performed by consultant plastic . No GP referral required.

For related guides, see , , , , , , and .

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Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s Baker Street, delivering and surgery through specialist surgeons. Our expertise spans facial procedures including and , , for men, and body contouring such as and . Patient safety, surgical excellence and natural-looking results sit at the heart of everything we do.

Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated private hospital on London’s iconic , offering plastic and cosmetic surgery led by GMC-registered consultant surgeons.