LASER TREATMENT OF ACNE SCARS

Laser treatment for acne scars may improve post-acne redness and uneven skin texture when selected appropriately and performed at the correct stage of skin healing.

Acne scars are a common and natural result of inflammatory acne. Effective treatment requires a careful, stepwise approach that addresses both vascular redness and surface texture, while prioritizing skin health, safety, and realistic expectations.

At International Vein & Skin Institute (IVSI), acne scar treatment is medically guided and individualized, because no two patients, scars, or skin types are the same.

UNDERSTANDING ACNE SCARS: COLOR VS. TEXTURE

COLOR (REDNESS)

Post-acne redness is often the most visible concern, particularly in teens and young adults. In many patients, reducing vascular redness alone results in a meaningful cosmetic improvement, even before surface texture is addressed.

Persistent redness reflects dilated or abnormal superficial blood vessels, similar to other vascular skin conditions.

TEXTURE (SURFACE IRREGULARITY)

Textural acne scarring reflects changes in the deeper support structure of the skin. These changes may appear as shallow or deep depressions, uneven skin surface, or pitted scars.

Ablative resurfacing should be avoided when active acne is present, as it may worsen inflammation and aggravate breakouts. Skin stability and acne control always come first.

COMMON TYPES OF ACNE SCARS

Different scar patterns respond differently to treatment. Common acne scar types include:

Ice pick scars – narrow, deep scars that extend into the dermis
Boxcar scars – wider, well-defined depressions with sharp edges
Rolling scars – broad, shallow depressions that create an uneven skin surface

Scar type, depth, skin thickness, and overall skin health all influence which laser or combination of treatments may be appropriate.

STEPWISE APPROACH TO ACNE SCAR TREATMENT

1. CONTROL ACTIVE ACNE

Before treating scars, active acne must be appropriately managed. Depending on individual needs, treatment may include:

Topical treatment regimens
Oral medications
Micro I&D of cystic lesions
Photodynamic therapy
Broadband light therapies such as AFT / IPL
Combination treatment plans

Treatment planning begins with a medical evaluation.

2. REDUCE REDNESS

For many patients, redness reduction is a socially meaningful first step and may significantly improve appearance without resurfacing.

3. IMPROVE SKIN TEXTURE

Once acne is controlled and inflammation stabilized, texture-focused laser treatments may be safely introduced.

AVAILABLE LASER & LIGHT-BASED TREATMENTS

At International Vein & Skin Institute (IVSI), we focus on Class IV medical laser technologies that allow precise, physician-controlled energy delivery. All laser treatments are personally performed by the physician and are not delegated to technicians

REDNESS TREATMENT OPTIONS

When vascular redness within acne scars is the primary concern:

Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) may be used to target superficial blood vessels
Appropriate for all genders and age groups
IPL systems may be used in select cases but are not recommended for hair-bearing areas, as permanent hair reduction may occur

Laser selection is based on vessel depth, skin type, and clinical response.

TEXTURE TREATMENT OPTIONS

NON-ABLATIVE SCAR REMODELING

Historically, deep acne scars were treated with chemical peels and ablative laser resurfacing. Advances in laser technology now allow effective scar remodeling while preserving normal daily activity.

PicoSure Focus™ Laser

Delivers ultra-short pulses of laser energy into deeper skin layers
Stimulates collagen and elastin remodeling by activating the skin’s natural repair processes
Non-ablative treatment designed to minimize interruption to daily activities

Typical Response

Redness and tenderness usually resolve within 1–3 hours
In patients with sensitive skin, redness may persist up to 24 hours
Early improvement may be seen after 2 treatments
A series of 3–5 sessions is commonly recommended for visible aesthetic improvement

Topical Anesthetic

Not required per manufacturer recommendations
May be applied in-office approximately 1 hour before treatment for patient comfort

Most patients return to normal activities the same day.

Non-ablative skin remodeling using PicoSure Focus™ is discussed in greater detail on our PicoSure Focus™ Laser Skin Remodeling page.

INTERMEDIATE-DEPTH FRACTIONAL SKIN RESURFACING

This option is well suited for patients seeking greater texture improvement without the intensity associated with aggressive CO₂ resurfacing.

Erbium 2940 nm with Pixel Stamping Technology

Delivers controlled fractional laser energy to the mid-depth layers of the skin
Works by creating microscopic treatment zones that stimulate collagen remodeling while preserving surrounding tissue
Fractional ablative technology designed to improve skin texture with predictable healing

Typical Response (varies based on treatment settings)

Immediate post-treatment redness with a honeycomb pattern
Mild to moderate redness and sunburn-like sensation lasting 2–3 days
Mild skin peeling over the following several days

Topical Anesthetic

Not required

Most patients return to normal activities the next day.

ADVANCED SKIN RESURFACING OPTIONS

For certain scar types—such as deep boxcar scars, ice pick scars, or extensive textural irregularities—more aggressive resurfacing may be considered after acne and inflammation are fully controlled.

Fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing (iPixel UltraPulse) may be used to address deeper structural skin changes by stimulating collagen remodeling at greater depths

Healing response, treatment intensity, and recovery expectations vary and are discussed in detail during consultation to ensure appropriate patient selection and realistic expectations.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Laser treatments are not “magic erasers” and typically require multiple sessions
Lasers do not treat the underlying causes of acne or inflammatory skin conditions
Redness, flushing, and pigmentation may have multiple medical causes
Accurate diagnosis is essential before initiating any laser or medication-based treatment

Some inflammatory skin conditions may resemble acne but require different therapeutic approaches.

PHYSICIAN-GUIDED CARE

All treatments at IVSI are personally performed by Jozef Tryzno, MD, following a medical evaluation and with extensive hands-on experience using laser and light-based technologies to treat complex dermatologic conditions.

This treatment is one of many Cosmetic Laser Treatments offered at IVSI and performed by Dr. Jozef Tryzno.

SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION

Careful evaluation, realistic expectations, and customized treatment planning are the foundation of acne scar care at IVSI.

📞 Call (847) 518-9999 to schedule your consultation today.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

Every patient is unique, and cosmetic results vary. No two laser treatments produce identical outcomes, even when performed by the same physician on patients with similar conditions.