Acne scar treatment

Scar matcher

Describe one scar and your skin. The matcher sorts what you tell it; it cannot see you.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars are lasting changes in the skin's surface left behind by breakouts. It means the skin healed with the wrong amount of collagen: too little leaves a dip, too much leaves a raised scar. The cause of acne scars is the way skin rebuilds collagen after deep inflammation.

Deep breakouts such as cysts and nodules scar most often. Picking and a close relative with acne scars both raise the risk. In a 2017 US study of 1,972 people seen by dermatologists for acne, 43% had scars.

Treating deep breakouts early is the surest way to prevent new scars. If yours are sore lumps under the skin, start with how dermatologists treat cystic acne.

Papular scars, small soft bumps on the nose, chin, jawline or back, are easy to mistake for acne. Raised scars are more common in darker skin.

Before you book

1. Clear the acne first. Dermatologists usually start scar work once breakouts are under control.
2. List your acne medicines. Tell the dermatologist about everything you used in the last two years. Microneedling is not for anyone taking isotretinoin or who took it in the past 6 months (FDA), and subcision is not done within 12 months of an oral retinoid.
3. Plan for several sessions. Insurance does not cover acne scar treatment, and most fillers last from 3 months to 2 years.
4. Check the age limit. FDA-authorized microneedling devices and dermal fillers are for adults 22 and older. No filler is approved for over-the-counter use, so never inject yourself or buy filler online. The FDA also issued a safety communication on radiofrequency microneedling on October 15, 2025.

Still breaking out? Clear that first, then see the at-home options below.

At-Home Treatments (Best for Discoloration & Mild Texture)

At-home treatment is care for flat marks and mild texture. It means a cream can soften how scarring looks, but cannot rebuild a pit.

Topical Retinoids & Acids

A retinoid or salicylic acid can make mild scarring less noticeable. Adapalene 0.1% gel is sold without a prescription, and retinol is a retinoid too.

Spot Gels

No store gel is backed for sunken acne scars, and no gel fills a pit. Silicone gel sheets help raised scars and keloids as part of a dermatologist's plan, never on an open wound.

Daily sunscreen

Keeps marks from darkening further.

Cover-up makeup

Can hide facial scars, with or without treatment.

In-Office Dermatological Procedures (Best for Deep or Structural Scars)

An in-office procedure is treatment a dermatologist does to change the scar's shape. It means the skin is resurfaced, lifted, filled or cut so it sits more level.

Which procedure fits depends on the shape of each scar; our page on the types of acne scars on face goes through them one by one.

Microneedling

Tiny needles prompt new collagen. Safe for all skin tones, and often paired with radiofrequency, a peel or platelet-rich plasma. FDA-authorized devices are for facial acne scars in adults 22 and older.

Chemical peels

Mild and medium peels often need 3 to 5 sessions, 2 to 4 weeks apart, after 2 to 4 weeks of skin priming and sun protection.

Laser resurfacing

Lasers resurface the skin and soften scar edges; some scars need more sessions.

Fillers

Filler lifts a sunken scar. Most are temporary; the FDA approves permanent filler only for smile lines and cheek acne scars.

Subcision

A needle frees a scar tethered to deeper tissue; it suits rolling scars.

Punch excision and scar surgery

The scar is cut out and closed; it suits deep, narrow scars.

Radiofrequency microneedling

Safe for all skin tones, per the AAD; see the FDA safety communication.

Platelet-rich plasma

An add-on that can improve microneedling results, though the devices are not approved to deliver it.

Microdermabrasion

Evens skin tone; does not treat acne scars.

Raised scars and keloids

Injections, laser, surgery plus another treatment, freezing and silicone sheets. Injections shrink 50 to 80% of keloids, but many regrow within five years.

What the evidence on acne scar treatment shows

A 2016 Cochrane review of 24 trials in 789 adults found no high-quality evidence for any acne scar treatment, and no support for one first choice. Fillers had moderate-quality evidence against placebo, and in one small trial a peel caused more dark marks than skin needling. Dermatologists often combine treatments, and scars rarely disappear completely.

Before and after acne scar treatment

Flat brown, red or purple spots left by pimples are not scars, and acne dark spots explains what fades them.

When to see a dermatologist

• Skin over an old breakout thickens or keeps growing, which can be a keloid.
• A scar itches or hurts.
• You want treatment: bring your list of acne medicines.