What is the most effective treatment for my acne scars? (Photos)

Thank you for your question and for sharing your concern regarding acne scars.

The most effective treatment for acne scars depends on the type of scarring (e.g., atrophic, boxcar, rolling, ice pick), skin type, and individual response to treatment. Based on common acne scar presentations, here are some of the most proven and effective options:

Microneedling with PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma):
This improves skin texture, stimulates collagen production, and gradually fades scars with minimal downtime.

Fractional CO2 Laser or Erbium Laser Resurfacing:
Highly effective for deep and textured scars, especially rolling or boxcar scars. These treatments help resurface the skin and boost collagen regeneration.

Chemical Peels:
Medium to deep peels (such as TCA) can improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and superficial scarring over time.

Subcision:
Best for tethered, rolling scars. A small needle is used to release fibrotic strands underneath the skin that are pulling the scar down.

Dermal Fillers:
Temporary but immediate improvement, particularly for atrophic scars. Can be combined with other treatments for long-term results.

TCA CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars):
Effective for ice pick scars, using high-concentration TCA to stimulate collagen in the scar base.

Topical Retinoids & Skin Care:
Useful for long-term maintenance and improving skin tone and texture, especially when combined with in-office procedures.

In summary, a combination approach is typically most effective. Treatments are often spaced out over several months for optimal results. If you haven’t yet, consider getting a scar type classification from your provider so the treatment can be tailored precisely to your needs.

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. For treating acne scars, both CO2 laser and Morpheus8 are highly effective options, and the best choice depends on your specific skin needs and scar types. CO2 laser resurfacing is a powerful treatment that uses fractional laser technology to remove the outer layers of damaged skin and stimulate collagen production. It’s particularly effective for deep scars and can result in significant skin resurfacing and improvement in texture. On the other hand, Morpheus8 combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to target deeper skin layers, promoting collagen synthesis and improving the appearance of scars with less downtime compared to CO2 laser. It’s ideal for treating superficial to moderate scars and can be used to enhance skin texture and firmness. Often, a combination of both treatments can provide comprehensive results, addressing various scar depths and skin concerns. I use both of these treatments in combination and absolutely love the results. I highly recommend. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Acne scar treatments require precision and attention to detail. There are several types of acne scars, including atrophic, hypertrophic, PIH hyperpigmented, and hypopigmented scars. Depending on the types of scars you have, our office can recommend a Hidef treatment protocol that can recontour existing scars and reduce complexion irregularities. The results are simply life-changing.

As a general rule, we recommend fillers, subcision, acne surgery, RF ablation, and laser ablation to help with atrophic scars. Hypertrophic and keloid acne scars require pulsed dye laser and IIT SC. PIH scars require chemical peels, Melarase creams (AM and PM) and laser.
If you have ice-pick scars, we recommend RF ablation and TCA Cross.
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon