Acne Scars Won’t Fade on Their Own. Here’s What Helps.
Acne clears, but the marks left behind often stay. Pitting, dents, or an uneven texture where breakouts used to be are signs of acne scarring, a physical change to the skin rather than pigmentation, needing a different treatment approach.
Why This Happens
Acne scarring forms when inflammation damages the collagen supporting your skin. Deep or cystic breakouts cause the most damage, since the inflammation reaches further into the skin. As the wound heals, your body does not always replace the lost collagen evenly, and this uneven repair leaves behind pitted, dented, or textured skin. The scarring you see now is the result of healing already completed, and no cream reaches deep enough to rebuild the structure underneath.
Where This Leads
Treating acne scars means encouraging your skin to rebuild collagen in the damaged areas. Two treatments at Kirei Clinic do this, and the right choice depends on how deep your scarring runs.
CO2 Laser resurfaces the skin in a more intensive way, well suited to deeper, more defined scarring, producing a noticeable change in texture. This treatment needs more downtime to recover, and runs at our Leeds clinic only.
Radiofrequency Microneedling is a gentler option, suited to milder texture concerns and shallower scarring, with far less downtime. This treatment runs at our Leeds clinic only.
As a general rule, the more intensive the treatment, the more visible the improvement, but the more recovery time needed too. Scarring varies a great deal from person to person, in depth, pattern, and skin type. The right choice for you needs a clinician to examine your skin directly. Dr Mei, Dr Rosie and Louise, our GDC-registered Dental Nurse, all assess scarring in person and talk you through which treatment fits your goals and your skin, with who treats you depending on booking availability.
Many patients need more than one tool to treat mixed scar types in a single plan. Our Acne Scarring Protocol page covers this combined approach, matched to your specific scarring.
FAQs
What is the best treatment for acne scars?
No single answer fits everyone. Deeper, more defined scars often respond better to CO2 Laser, while milder texture and shallower scarring often respond well to Radiofrequency Microneedling. The right treatment depends on your scarring pattern, so an in-person assessment matters here.
How many sessions does acne scar treatment need?
This depends on the treatment and the depth of your scarring. Radiofrequency Microneedling usually runs as a course of sessions spaced weeks apart. CO2 Laser often needs fewer sessions, but each one needs more recovery time. Your practitioner gives you a session plan once they have assessed your skin.
Does acne scar treatment hurt, and what downtime should I expect?
Both treatments use numbing to keep you comfortable during the session. Downtime differs by treatment. Radiofrequency Microneedling typically means a few days of redness. CO2 Laser is more intensive and needs a longer recovery period, with visible healing skin for a week or more. Your practitioner talks you through what to expect for your specific treatment plan.