Skin & Complexion
Indented, raised, or uneven skin texture left after deeper acne inflammation.
Physician-led assessment · individualized care · Vancouver clinic
Understanding Acne Scars
You might notice it most under overhead bathroom light, or when makeup settles into small dips on your cheeks. Acne scars are changes in the skin's texture left behind after deeper breakouts, and they're different from the flat red or brown marks that fade on their own.
Healthy skin is held smooth by a firm network of collagen. When acne inflammation runs deep, that network is damaged and heals unevenly. Where tissue is lost, you see ice-pick, boxcar or rolling scars. Where the skin makes too much collagen, scars sit raised instead. Each type responds to its own approach, and the encouraging part is that collagen can be stimulated to rebuild, so texture can soften with the right treatment once active acne has settled.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Scarring happens when acne inflammation runs deep enough to damage the skin's collagen and healing is uneven. Where tissue is lost, indented (atrophic) scars form. Where the skin overproduces collagen during healing, raised (hypertrophic or keloid) scars can form. Deeper, more inflamed, or long-standing acne carries a higher risk, and picking or squeezing lesions can raise the likelihood.
Signs and Symptoms
Assessment
At your consultation, we look at your skin in good light and from different angles to see which scar types are there, how deep they go and where they sit. We'll confirm they're true scars and not flat marks, consider your skin tone, and check that any active breakouts are settled. From there, we'll map out the treatments, timing and budget that suit your skin and your calendar.
Cosmetic consultations are complimentary.
Prevention and Ongoing Care
A good routine helps your skin heal well and protects the collagen your treatments are building. Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen keeps scars from darkening and protects skin after resurfacing. A retinoid, used as advised, supports smoother texture between visits, and a gentle cleanser and moisturizer keep the skin barrier comfortable during a treatment series.
We'll suggest what suits your skin at each stage, and you'll find our recommended products in the online shop.
Treatment Options
These are some of the options connected to this concern. The appropriate plan depends on assessment, suitability, and your goals.
Your plan depends on the types of scars you have, how deep they are and your skin tone, and treatment usually begins once active acne is under control. At our clinic, acne scars are treated with:
Intensive Secret PRO CO₂ treatments are performed by our physicians. Lighter CO₂ treatments, HALO and RF microneedling are performed by our senior laser technicians under the medical direction of Dr. Gidon Frame, and PRP injections are performed by our experienced physicians. Microneedling may be combined with selected topical products, including VAMP (PDRN), exosome-based skincare formulations and other professional skin-supporting serums, chosen for your skin and our clinical protocols.
Pigment change is a particular consideration for darker skin tones, so treatment choice and settings are tailored carefully. Raised and keloid scars have their own approach, which we'll walk you through at your visit.
Controlled laser energy that renews the skin surface and stimulates repair, helping soften texture, scars, fine lines and sun damage.
Combines fine needles with radiofrequency energy delivered at controlled skin depths to stimulate collagen and help remodel scars and laxity.
Uses a concentrate of platelets prepared from a small sample of your own blood to aid skin healing and skin-quality goals.
Combines resurfacing and collagen-remodelling treatments, selected according to scar type, depth and skin type, to soften the texture and appearance of scars and stretch marks.
For the fuller picture, explore the treatment pages above or discuss the options during a consultation.
Mild scarring may need just one approach. Deeper or mixed scar types often do well with a combination planned around your skin.
Medical Assessment
See a doctor if scars are raised, growing, itchy or tender, which can point to hypertrophic or keloid scarring that needs specific care, or if deep acne is still active and leaving new scars.
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends on your scar types, how deep they are and your skin tone. Rolling and boxcar scars often respond well to Secret PRO CO₂ resurfacing or RF microneedling, while raised scars have their own approach. We'll look at your scars in person and recommend the option, or combination, that fits.
Collagen remodelling is gradual, so texture keeps improving over the months after treatment. The number of sessions, recovery and timing depend on the treatment chosen, and we'll set these out in your plan so you can schedule around work and life.
Treatment can make acne scars look considerably smoother and less noticeable. The aim is a clear improvement in texture, and results vary between people and scar types. Booking a consultation is the best way to see what's realistic for your scars.
Physician Assessment
An assessment can help clarify what may be contributing, which options may be appropriate, and what a reasonable next step could look like for you.
Visit Our Clinic
Anti-Aging Medical & Laser Clinic combines medical assessment, individualized planning, physician oversight, and a broad range of treatment options in its Vancouver clinic.
Bring your questions, treatment history, and goals. Your provider can help you understand appropriate options, expected recovery, and realistic outcomes.
Make an Appointment
Use our consultation form below and the clinic can guide you toward the appropriate starting point.
