Acne scars don’t go away on their own. You probably already know this if you’ve been waiting years for them to fade. The indentations, textured patches, and uneven skin tone that acne left behind require professional treatment to improve. And even then, complete elimination isn’t always possible.
Here’s what you need to know upfront: treating acne scars is a process, not a quick fix. You’ll need multiple sessions over 6-12 months. You’ll spend money. You’ll deal with some downtime. But if your scars bother you every time you look in the mirror, the improvement can be life-changing.
Manhattan Laser Spa in Dania Beach offers multiple treatment options for acne scarring. Let’s talk about what actually works and what you can realistically expect.
Not all acne scars are the same. The type of scarring you have determines which treatments will work best.
Ice pick scars are deep, narrow pits that look like someone poked your skin with an ice pick. They’re the hardest to treat because they extend deep into the dermis. Laser resurfacing alone won’t fix these. You need punch excision or TCA CROSS technique to get real improvement.
Boxcar scars are wider depressions with defined edges, like little boxes carved into your skin. These respond well to laser resurfacing, microneedling, and subcision. They’re easier to treat than ice pick scars.
Rolling scars create a wave-like appearance because fibrous bands underneath pull your skin down in certain spots. Subcision (where we break those tethering bands) works best for these, often combined with filler or microneedling.
Hypertrophic scars are raised bumps where your body produced too much collagen during healing. These need different treatments like steroid injections, laser therapy, or sometimes surgical removal.
Most people have a mix of scar types. That’s why we create customized treatment plans using multiple techniques.
Laser Resurfacing
Fractional CO2 laser is the gold standard for acne scarring. It creates thousands of microscopic channels in your skin, removing damaged tissue and triggering collagen production. Your body spends the next 3-6 months rebuilding collagen, which gradually fills in and smooths out scars.
The catch? Recovery sucks. Your face will be red, swollen, and peeling for 7-10 days. You cannot go to work. You cannot hit the beach. You cannot pretend nothing happened. Plan accordingly.
Results are worth it though. One aggressive CO2 treatment can improve scars by 30-50%. A series of 2-3 treatments can get you to 60-80% improvement for the right scar types.
Fractional erbium lasers are gentler with less downtime (3-5 days) but you’ll need more sessions for similar results. Good option if you can’t take a week off work.
Microneedling
This uses tiny needles to create controlled injuries that trigger collagen production. It’s less aggressive than laser resurfacing, which means less downtime (2-3 days of redness) but also less dramatic per-session improvement.
You need 4-6 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Each treatment improves scars by about 10-15%. Do the math. That’s why it takes months.
Adding PRP (platelet-rich plasma from your own blood) boosts results. The growth factors in PRP accelerate healing and collagen production. It’s an extra cost but worth it for stubborn scarring.
RF microneedling (like Morpheus8) combines needles with radiofrequency energy for deeper remodeling. More effective than regular microneedling but also more expensive and slightly more downtime.
Chemical Peels
TCA CROSS is a technique where we apply high-strength TCA (trichloroacetic acid) directly into ice pick scars with a tiny applicator. It causes controlled scarring that makes the scar build up from the bottom. Sounds counterintuitive but it works. You need multiple sessions.
Medium-depth TCA peels (20-35%) can improve overall texture and shallow scarring. You’ll peel for 5-7 days but results are noticeable.
Salicylic acid peels help with active acne and mild textural issues. Less dramatic for deep scarring but good for overall skin quality between more aggressive treatments.
Subcision
For rolling scars, we use a needle or small blade to cut the fibrous bands tethering your skin down. This releases the tension and allows the depressed area to lift. Often combined with filler for immediate improvement while your body generates new collagen.
You’ll have bruising for 1-2 weeks. This is normal and expected. Don’t schedule subcision right before important events.
Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane, Juvederm) can temporarily fill depressed scars for immediate improvement. Results last 6-12 months. This isn’t a permanent solution but works great for special events or while you’re doing other treatments.
Bellafill is FDA-approved specifically for acne scars and lasts 5+ years. It’s more expensive upfront but the longevity makes it cost-effective if you need volume replacement.
Sculptra stimulates your own collagen production over time. Takes 3-6 months to see full results but improvements last 2+ years.
Punch Techniques
For deep ice pick or boxcar scars that won’t respond to other treatments, we can surgically remove or elevate them. Punch excision removes the entire scar. Punch elevation lifts the base of the scar to surface level. These create tiny wounds that heal flatter than the original scar.
You’ll have small scabs for about a week. Then we typically follow up with laser resurfacing to blend everything together.
Your active acne must be controlled first. This is critical. If you’re still breaking out regularly, we need to address that before we treat scarring. New breakouts during scar treatment can create new scars or worsen existing ones.
We’ll help you get active acne under control with prescription topicals, oral medications, or a comprehensive skincare program. Once you’ve been clear for 2-3 months, we can start scar treatment.
If you’ve taken Accutane, you need to wait 6-12 months after stopping before any resurfacing procedures. Accutane thins your skin and impairs healing. Treating too soon causes severe complications including permanent scarring.
Sun exposure must be minimized. This is especially challenging in Dania Beach. You live near the beach. You’re outdoors a lot. But sun exposure before treatment tans your skin (can’t treat tanned skin safely) and sun exposure after treatment causes hyperpigmentation that makes scars look worse.
Plan your treatments during times when you can realistically avoid the beach and outdoor activities. Fall and winter are ideal.
Let’s be honest about what treating acne scars means for your lifestyle here.
You can’t hit John U. Lloyd Beach State Park during recovery. Sun exposure on freshly treated skin causes dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that can be worse than the original scars. This happens even with sunscreen. You need to avoid direct sun completely for 2-4 weeks after aggressive treatments.
Saltwater and chlorine are off-limits during healing. If you swim regularly, plan treatments when you can stay out of the water.
Outdoor work or activities need to be scheduled around treatments. If you work outside or spend significant time in the sun, aggressive treatments might not be practical for you. We’ll find gentler alternatives that allow you to maintain your lifestyle.
The humidity actually helps. One advantage of Florida’s climate is the moisture in the air keeps your healing skin from getting too dry. Silver lining.
Here’s what actually happens after treatment:
Laser resurfacing: Face looks like you have a bad sunburn for 3-5 days. Peeling happens days 5-10. New pink skin emerges underneath. Pink fades over 4-8 weeks. Collagen remodeling continues for 3-6 months. That’s when you see maximum improvement.
Microneedling: Red and slightly swollen for 24-48 hours. Light flaking days 3-5. Back to normal by day 7. Gradual improvement over next 4-6 weeks as collagen builds. Need multiple sessions for cumulative results.
Subcision: Bruising for 7-14 days. Swelling for 3-5 days. Immediate lift in treated areas that improves further as healing progresses over 2-3 months.
Chemical peels: Depends on depth. Light peels mean 2-3 days of flaking. Medium peels mean 5-7 days of visible peeling. Skin looks worse before it looks better.
Most people need a combination of treatments for optimal results. A typical treatment plan might be: subcision first to release rolling scars, then a series of microneedling or laser sessions to improve texture, followed by filler if needed for remaining depressions.
Total timeline? 6-12 months from start to final results. Anyone who promises faster results is either using very mild treatments (limited improvement) or not being honest with you.
Let’s talk about what’s actually achievable.
Most people see 50-70% improvement with a comprehensive treatment series. That means your scars will be significantly better but probably not completely gone. Some shallow scarring might reduce to the point where it’s barely noticeable. Deep scars will improve but remain visible to some degree.
Complete elimination is rare, especially for severe scarring. The goal is improvement, not perfection. If someone promises to completely remove your scars, be skeptical.
Some scars respond better than others. Shallow boxcar and rolling scars often see 70-80% improvement. Deep ice pick scars might only improve 40-50% even with multiple aggressive treatments. We’ll give you honest expectations during consultation based on your specific scarring.
Newer scars respond faster than old ones, but even scars from years ago can be improved significantly. It just might take more treatments.
If you have darker skin (Fitzpatrick types IV-VI), we need to be more conservative. Aggressive treatments like laser resurfacing carry higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) on darker skin.
This doesn’t mean you can’t get treated. It means we adjust the approach. We might use gentler laser settings, focus more on microneedling and peels, or do a longer series of lighter treatments instead of fewer aggressive ones.
Many Dania Beach residents have diverse skin tones. We have experience treating all skin types safely. We just need to be honest about the modified approach required for darker skin.
Acne scar treatment isn’t cheap. Here’s what you’re looking at:
Microneedling: $300-500 per session. You’ll need 4-6 sessions. Total: $1,800-3,000.
Laser resurfacing: $1,500-2,500 per session for full face. Most people do 2-3 sessions. Total: $3,000-7,500.
Subcision: $500-1,000 per session (depends on number of scars treated).
Chemical peels: $200-500 per session. Need multiple for scar improvement.
Fillers: $600-800 per syringe. Might need multiple syringes depending on scarring extent.
Combination treatment plans (which work best) can run $4,000-8,000 total over 6-12 months. Yes, it’s expensive. But consider: you’ve probably been dealing with these scars for years. They affect how you see yourself. The investment in improving them can genuinely change your life.
We offer financing options and package pricing to make treatment more accessible. During consultation, we’ll create a treatment plan with transparent pricing so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
We’re a medical spa with actual medical supervision. Acne scar treatment requires expertise. The wrong settings on a laser can cause permanent scarring or pigmentation changes. Improper technique with subcision or punch procedures can make scars worse.
Our practitioners have extensive training in scar treatment across all skin types. We know which treatments work for which scars, and we’re conservative with darker skin tones.
We’re honest about limitations. If we don’t think we can help you, or if you need a different type of provider (like a facial plastic surgeon for very severe scarring), we’ll tell you. We’d rather refer you appropriately than take your money for treatments that won’t work.
We understand the Florida sun challenge. We live here too. We know you can’t just avoid the sun completely. We’ll help you plan treatments during times that fit your lifestyle and give you realistic aftercare protocols.
Manhattan Laser Spa serves residents throughout Dania Beach, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, and all of Broward County. Whether you’re near Dania Pointe, the Marina District, or along Federal Highway, we’re conveniently located.
Honestly? Probably not completely. The realistic goal is 50-70% improvement with a comprehensive treatment plan. Shallow scars might reduce to where they’re barely noticeable. Deep scars will improve significantly but likely remain somewhat visible. Think of it as going from “this bothers me every time I look in the mirror” to “I can see them if I look closely but they don’t define my appearance anymore.” Complete elimination happens occasionally with mild scarring, but it’s not the norm for moderate to severe scars.
For the healing period after each session, yes. After laser resurfacing, you need 2-4 weeks of strict sun avoidance. After microneedling, about 1-2 weeks. You can still go to the beach, but you need to cover your face with a hat and stay in shade, which defeats the purpose. This is why we recommend planning treatments during times when you’re not planning beach vacations. Once you’re fully healed from each session, you can resume normal activities, but daily SPF 50+ becomes non-negotiable. Sun damage will worsen your scars and undo your treatment results.
It depends on the severity. If you get one pimple a month, we can work with that. If you’re actively breaking out regularly with multiple lesions, we need to control your acne first. New breakouts during treatment can create new scars and interfere with healing. We often start with acne management, get you clear for 2-3 months, then begin scar treatment. Some treatments (like certain chemical peels) actually help with both active acne and scarring, so we can address both simultaneously in some cases.
It depends on your scar type, skin tone, budget, and downtime availability. Ice pick scars need punch excision or TCA CROSS. Rolling scars need subcision. Boxcar scars respond to laser or microneedling. Most people have mixed scar types and benefit from combination treatments. During consultation, we’ll examine your scarring, discuss your goals and constraints, and recommend the most effective approach for your situation. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Initial improvement shows up 4-6 weeks after treatment as new collagen starts forming. But collagen remodeling continues for 3-6 months after each session. That’s when you see maximum results from that particular treatment. If you’re doing a series of treatments (which most people need), you’ll see progressive improvement over the entire treatment period. Final results typically appear 6-12 months after starting treatment. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Anyone promising instant results is either talking about temporary filler (which doesn’t actually treat the scar, just masks it) or not being honest.
The improved collagen structure from treatments is permanent. However, if you develop new acne and it scars, you’ll have new scarring. That’s why maintaining clear skin after treatment is critical. Also, sun damage can worsen skin texture over time, which can make treated scars more visible again. Ongoing sun protection and good skincare help maintain your results. Some people do maintenance treatments (like annual microneedling) to keep their skin in optimal condition, but the fundamental improvement from treating the scars doesn’t reverse.
Laser resurfacing typically gives more dramatic results per session but requires more downtime. Microneedling is gentler with minimal downtime but needs more sessions for comparable improvement. For severe scarring, laser usually wins. For moderate scarring or if you can’t take time off, microneedling might be better. For optimal results with complex scarring, we often use both: laser to aggressively resurface, then microneedling for continued improvement and maintenance. Your skin type also matters – darker skin does better with microneedling than aggressive laser treatment due to lower risk of pigmentation issues.
You’ve been dealing with acne scarring long enough. Whether it’s been months or years, those scars aren’t going to fade on their own. Professional treatment can significantly improve your skin texture and appearance.
Schedule a consultation at Manhattan Laser Spa to discuss your acne scarring. We’ll assess your scar types, evaluate your skin tone, and create a customized treatment plan with realistic expectations and transparent pricing.
Call us today or book online. Let’s talk about what’s actually achievable for your skin.
