Acne Scar Treatment

Written by: Kimberly A. Wenner, MD

Almost everyone is familiar with acne, but acne scars can be an unfortunate side effect for some people. Whether acne scars are a source of embarrassment for you or not, your complexion could be so much more even and smooth with treatment.

If you have active acne, we recommend visiting Cascade Eye & Skin Centers as soon as possible to begin treatment and reduce inflammation. Reducing redness and inflammation early can help minimize scar formation while acne is present.

Let’s talk about the types of acne scars that may develop and how the providers at Cascade may be able to treat them.

Boxcar: Shallow Indentations

Boxcar acne scars are shallow indentations in the skin that can look like rounded dents or craters. These scars are usually the result of deeper or more severe acne breakouts.

Treatment Options:

• Tazarotene topical
• Microneedling
• Microneedling + glycolic acid/20% TCA Peel
• Microneedling + PRP
• TCA Peel/ Fractional CO2 laser

Ice Pick Scars: Small, Deep Scars

Ice pick scars are small, deep scars that have a pitted appearance as if it was punctured by a small ice pick. These types of acne scars tend to develop after an inflammatory breakout.

Treatment Options:

• TCA cross (strong acid inserted into deep scars): Ice pick scars require an average of 5 treatments. Pricing for treating 1-6 scars is $1,000 for a package of $250 per treatment. Pricing for 7-12 scars is $1,200 for a package of $350 per treatment.
• Peel ($150 per session)

Rolling Scars: Deep, Thick Scars

Rolling scars are deep, thick scars that can look like a wave or contour of the skin. These types of acne scars can be some of the most difficult to treat due to the long bands of scar tissue.

Treatment Options:

• Subcision with CO2 Fraxel: Subcision gently loosens and breaks up the fibers that connect the acne scar to the underlying tissue. After this, laser treatment can help minimize pigmentation and reduce the appearance of the scar. Treatment can vary between $1,000 – $2,000, depending on how many sessions are required.

Red Scars

Red scars are the most common type of acne scar. These scars can be raised or flat with little to no indention in the skin.

Treatment Options:

• Excel V or Pulsed-dye laser: These treatments help correct discoloration. It may take an average of 3 treatments. Pricing can range between $175- $350.

White Scars

White scars are much less common than red scars and are usually the result of damage to the deeper layers of skin. They occur when the body loses pigment due to tissue damage.

Treatment Options:

• Fraxel 1927 or Microneedling + topical Latisse

At Cascade, we understand that every patient’s skin and concerns are different. Therefore, we combine treatments as needed for optimal results. If you have acne scars, visit one of our skin experts to begin developing a plan to fit your needs, lifestyle and budget.