The biggest mistake in acne scar treatment is using one tool for every scar type. Rolling scars respond best to microneedling with PRP. Boxcar scars need laser resurfacing combined with microneedling. Ice-pick scars often require TCA cross or punch excision before resurfacing helps. Hyperpigmentation marks (PIH) respond to topicals and gentle laser. We sequence treatments based on scar type and skin tone — not a generic "acne package" — and tell you honestly when you need a procedure outside our toolkit.
A typical Aera acne scar protocol runs 6–12 months: (1) get active acne under control with topicals or oral medication for 2–3 months, (2) address PIH first with topicals + gentle laser over 3 months, (3) microneedling with PRP series of 3 sessions, (4) layer in laser resurfacing alternated with microneedling, (5) refer when needed for ice-pick or deep atrophic scars, (6) maintain quarterly afterward. Most patients with mild scars see 70–90% improvement; moderate scars 50–70%; deep ice-pick scars rarely return to fully smooth skin even with aggressive treatment. Honest expectations matter. Contraindications include active herpes outbreak, unstable acne, certain blood disorders, and pregnancy.
Key Benefits
Common questions
Frequently asked
What's the best treatment for acne scars?
There's no single "best" — the right treatment depends on scar type. Rolling scars respond best to microneedling with PRP. Boxcar scars need laser resurfacing combined with microneedling. Ice-pick scars often need TCA cross or punch excision before resurfacing helps. PIH responds to topicals and gentle laser. Most patients have a mix and need a combined plan.
Will acne scars ever fully disappear?
Mild scars often resolve almost entirely. Moderate scars typically improve 60–80%. Deep ice-pick and significant atrophic scarring rarely return to fully smooth skin even with aggressive treatment. Honest expectations matter.
How long does acne scar treatment take?
Realistically 6–12 months for visible improvement of moderate scarring. The body remodels collagen the whole time — final results aren't visible until 3 months after the last session.
Can I treat scars while still breaking out?
Active acne should be controlled before aggressive scar treatment. Treating while inflammation continues produces unpredictable results and risks new pigmentation. We typically prescribe an acne management protocol first, wait 2–3 months, then start scar treatment.
Is treatment safe for darker skin tones?
Yes — microneedling and ClearLift are both safer than aggressive lasers for Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Microneedling doesn't target melanin, and ClearLift's sub-surface energy delivery has a strong safety profile across skin tones.