Expert Dermatologist Reveals The Best Ways To Treat Deep Acne Scars! Is Honeycomb Pico Laser Really Effective?

The golden window for treating deep acne scars is within one year—but don’t worry, there are still solutions for older scars! Experts suggest that fractional lasers can improve these scars, but lasers vary, from CO2 to Fraxel, Pico laser, and nanosecond lasers. So which one is truly the best for treating acne scars?

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What Are Deep Acne Scars? What's the Link Between Scars and Acne?

Deep acne scars are indentations or raised areas on the skin caused by improperly treated acne, blackheads, folliculitis, or even chickenpox. When acne or similar skin conditions lead to deep inflammation, the skin’s tissue gets distorted or overgrown, creating these scars that appear as either indentations or raised bumps.

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Causes of Deep Acne Scars – Like Your Dermis Was Stepped On!

Deep acne scars often result from improper handling of pimples. When the skin is inflamed, and you squeeze or prematurely pop pimples, the skin may repeatedly inflame and cause further damage to the dermis. This can break down collagen, blood vessels, and muscle fibers, resulting in scar formation—either indented (atrophic) scars or raised (hypertrophic) scars.

Who is more prone to deep acne scars?

• People with inherently poor skin, large pores
• Those with chronic skin conditions like eczema
• People with poor healing abilities
• Those with moderate to severe acne
• People prone to hypertrophic scarring (e.g., keloids)
• Those who frequently pop pimples or pick at scabs
• Hormonal imbalances that affect skin repair

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Types of Deep Acne Scars – From Deep to Shallower

i. Ice Pick Scars – Deep into the Dermis or Deeper

Ice pick scars, also known as pitted scars, have a narrow opening, usually less than 2mm, but the scar can extend deep into the dermis, or even deeper into the fascia layer. This type is the hardest to treat.

ii. Boxcar Scars – Into the Dermis

Boxcar scars have a wider opening (1-1.5mm) and a more defined edge. These scars are flat at the bottom, forming a shape resembling a boxcar.

iii. Rolling Scars – Shallow Dermis

Rolling scars are shallower, typically located in the upper dermis, with a wider opening around 4mm or more. These scars lack defined borders, giving the appearance of rolling waves across the skin, making them easier to treat.

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The Golden Treatment Window for Deep Acne Scars

The golden treatment window for deep acne scars is within one year of formation. The earlier you treat the scars, the better the chances of minimizing damage and preventing further hardening and pigmentation.

If left untreated, the fibrous skin tissue may continue to harden, leading to pigment spots and uneven skin tone, making your complexion look like the “surface of the moon.”

Treating acne scars early with light-based treatments, such as Honeycomb Pico Laser or Fraxel laser, not only improves scars but also prevents acne, kills bacteria, and stimulates collagen production to restore the skin.

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The Impact of Deep Acne Scars

Apart from affecting your appearance, deep acne scars can take a toll on skin health and mental well-being. These scars can reduce collagen and fiber in the skin, leading to dryness, premature aging, and sagging. Additionally, scarring can cause itching or mild pain, affecting your skin’s overall texture.

Trying to cover scars with makeup may block pores, exacerbate oil secretion, and worsen blackheads and acne, creating a vicious cycle.

Severe acne and deep scars can even contribute to depression. Experts report that people with acne can experience greater depression than those with other serious conditions, including cancer, highlighting the need to address both the emotional and physical impact of acne scars.

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How to Prevent Deep Acne Scars?

To prevent deep acne scars:

• Prevent acne from forming: Easier said than done, but the key is to avoid squeezing pimples or picking at scabs.
• Let acne mature, and when it no longer hurts, use proper methods to drain the pimple.
• After draining, disinfect and apply anti-inflammatory skincare products.

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Daily Skincare Habits for Deep Acne Scars

i. Use a Deep Cleansing Clay Mask

If you have acne-prone skin or minor wounds, avoid physical exfoliation. Instead, opt for a deep-cleansing clay mask. This will naturally open your pores, absorb oil, and make it easier to clear blackheads without causing friction or additional damage.

ii. Hydrate Your Skin

While deep acne scars are permanent, hydration can still improve your skin’s overall texture. Hydrating boosts skin cell turnover, helping prevent new scars from forming, and promoting faster healing.

iii. Take Collagen Supplements

Since 70% of your skin is made of collagen, regular collagen supplementation helps maintain skin elasticity and moisture levels, preventing further scar formation. Look for hydrolyzed collagen with smaller molecules for better absorption.

iv. Use Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) Peels

AHA peels promote skin cell turnover, preventing clogged pores and the formation of new acne. Additionally, they fade pigmentation and stimulate collagen production, making scars less noticeable.

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Treatments for Deep Acne Scars

i. Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment where tiny needles create micro-wounds in the skin. This forces the skin to regenerate and produce new collagen, smoothing out acne scars. Be careful with unclean equipment, as it can lead to infections.

ii. Algae Silica Needle Therapy

A similar method to microneedling, but using crystalline silica needles to stimulate the skin’s repair mechanisms. However, it’s not suitable for sensitive skin, as it can trigger allergies or folliculitis.

iii. High-Concentration AHA Treatments

At-home AHA products generally have concentrations of 5%-20%. Higher concentrations (20% or more) can cause skin damage and must be administered by professionals. In-clinic treatments with high-concentration AHA provide more effective results.

iv. Subcutaneous Steroid Injections

Steroid injections are used for hypertrophic scars to reduce inflammation and prevent keloid formation. This treatment can be effective for deeply inflamed areas.

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Modern Laser Treatments for Deep Acne Scars

Laser treatments are now the most effective solution for treating deep acne scars. Here are the most popular ones:

i. CO2 Laser Fractional Treatment

This is a long-established treatment for severe acne scars, using CO2 laser to vaporize damaged skin and stimulate collagen growth. However, it comes with a longer recovery time and higher risk of burns.

ii. Fraxel Laser

Fraxel is a fractional laser that creates a grid of tiny wounds on the skin, stimulating collagen production. It’s less invasive than CO2 laser and has a quicker recovery time.

iii. Honeycomb Pico Laser

This advanced version of Pico Laser uses a honeycomb lens to scatter the laser energy, which targets deeper layers of skin more precisely. It has a shorter recovery time and a lower risk of hyperpigmentation.

iv. Radiofrequency Microneedling

If you find Pico lasers too expensive, radiofrequency microneedling (also known as gold microneedling) uses energy to trigger collagen growth, similar to microneedling but with added radiofrequency.

v. Hyaluronic Acid Injections

For cystic acne scars, hyaluronic acid can be injected to fill in the indentations, providing a quick, temporary solution to smooth out scars.

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Treat Acne Scars with Perfect Medical’s Treatment

Perfect Medical offers a cutting-edge laser treatment that uses a patented 1064nm wavelength to break down acne marks. The laser energy is absorbed by the dermis to trigger collagen production, helping to heal scars and improve skin texture.

Free trial available! Book your session now and see how Perfect Medical’s treatment can work wonders for you.