2026-10-28
Acne Scar Clinic: 3 Things to Check to Choose Without Regret
Acne scar treatment results depend on an accurate diagnosis of scar depth. Here are three things to check when choosing a clinic: scar classification, laser design, and downtime care.
“I’ve been treated at several acne scar clinics, but my depressed scars look exactly the same.” This is something we hear all the time during UltraPulse Alpha consultations.
To cut to the chase, the outcome of acne scar treatment depends not on the name of the device, but on an accurate diagnosis that distinguishes scar depth.
Today, I’ll go through the three things you should check when looking for an acne scar clinic, in order: how scars are classified, the criteria for laser design, and downtime management.
Hello, I am Dr. Jong-geun Song of Pixellab Plastic Surgery. As a board-certified plastic surgeon with 15 years of experience, I focus my practice on scar and pore laser treatments. Before any procedure, I first assess scar depth and skin condition with the Metaview 3D skin analysis system, and then explain the treatment direction.
1. Why Doesn’t Acne Scarring Improve on Its Own?
When acne inflammation extends deep into the dermis, the collagen framework that supports the dermis breaks down, and the skin surface sinks inward.
The epidermis regenerates on its own, but once collagen in the dermis has collapsed, it cannot naturally restore its original structure.
If the depression remains even after years of waiting for the marks to fade, it is likely a problem of dermal structure rather than pigmentation.
That’s why treatment should focus not on erasing surface pigmentation, but on stimulating collagen production.
For reference, inflammation that stays shallow leaves marks, while inflammation that reaches deep into the dermis leaves depressed scars. That is exactly why people who had the same acne can end up with scars of different shapes and depths.
2. Distinguishing Marks from Scars Is Where Treatment Begins
Type | Cause and Location | Treatment Direction |
Red marks and brown marks | Residual pigment and vascular response after inflammation (epidermis to upper dermis) | Improvement expected with toning and regeneration-focused skin care |
Depressed scars | Structural damage from collapsed dermal collagen | Laser treatment that induces tissue regeneration |
To effectively clear the traces left behind by acne, you first need to distinguish marks from scars.
Pigmented marks and depressed scars differ in their causes and skin conditions, so meaningful improvement requires treatment suited to each state.
Marks call for treatment that accounts for pigment and redness, while depressed scars require treatment that considers their shape, depth, and underlying skin structure. Designing a treatment plan tailored to each person’s skin, based on an accurate diagnosis, is therefore essential.
3. Pixellab Plastic Surgery Calibrates Energy to Each Scar Depth
At Pixellab Plastic Surgery, we build depressed scar treatment plans around UltraPulse Alpha.
Rather than broadly sanding away the skin, UltraPulse Alpha is a CO2 fractional laser that concentrates energy only on scar tissue using micro-beams thinner than a 34G needle.
The principle is to precisely remove damaged scar tissue and stimulate the regeneration of healthy collagen. By reducing stimulation to the surrounding normal skin during treatment, it helps support a safer and faster recovery.
Ultimately, what determines the outcome of scar treatment is not simply the device’s output power, but the medical team’s judgment and expertise in adjusting energy to match the depth and condition of each scar.
Even within the same face, scars vary in depth.
As a plastic surgeon who has worked extensively on burn and wound care, I clearly explain during consultations how this clinical experience is applied to individualized treatment design.
In addition, when laser treatment alone is not enough, Pixellab Plastic Surgery designs combination treatments that include skin boosters or needle-free injectors, depending on the condition of the scar.
Since each scar requires different treatment, rather than repeating a fixed package, I adjust the composition itself to match the skin condition I observe that day and each patient’s underlying skin type.
4. Downtime and Recovery: How Pixellab Plastic Surgery Manages Them
After treatment, patients may feel redness and a stinging sensation for about two to three days. Tiny crusts may form, and the skin typically recovers within about 10 days.
However, recovery time varies depending on the extent of the scarring, the energy settings, and each person’s regeneration speed.
After UltraPulse Alpha treatment, we use exosome application, the Deomi Care high-concentration negative ion device, and a 3-atmosphere hyperbaric oxygen chamber, among other methods, to help the skin recover from laser stimulation.
Just as crops won’t grow well in dry soil, the skin’s response to scar treatment can decline if the skin isn’t adequately prepared.
For patients with a weak or sensitive skin barrier, we first stabilize the skin before the procedure and then proceed with UltraPulse Alpha.
At Pixellab Plastic Surgery, we view the entire process, from preparing the skin before treatment to recovery and regeneration care afterward, as one continuous course of treatment.
Because scar treatment often takes place over several sessions, please check not only which device is used, but also how the pre- and post-treatment process is designed and managed.
5. When Is the Best Time to Start Treatment?
We determine when to start acne scar treatment based on two conditions.
First, new inflammation should be stable. Second, it should be a period when you can avoid UV exposure and irritation for about two weeks after treatment.
Scars tend to harden over time, which slows the response to treatment. So if these conditions are met, it is better to plan a staged approach in advance rather than delay.
During consultations, I discuss the right timing for treatment by considering whether you have important events coming up and your daily routine.
That said, visible scars do not automatically mean laser treatment should start right away. Depending on your current skin condition, there may be other issues that need to be addressed before scar treatment.
Ⅰ. Cases in Which We Do Not Recommend Immediate Treatment
The most common example is when inflammatory acne keeps erupting.
If new inflammation keeps recurring, it is better to first stabilize the process of new acne formation rather than start with scar laser treatment.
That reduces the chance of new scars forming in treated areas and allows results from later scar treatment to be more stable.
The same applies when pigmentation is heavily overlapping.
Depending on your skin condition, it may be more appropriate to stabilize pigmentation and inflammation first before moving on to scar treatment.
Ultimately, the timing of treatment should be determined not by how long the scar has been there, but by first checking whether your skin is ready for laser treatment.
6. Clinic Selection Checklist
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I always recommend choosing a clinic that meets all three of these criteria.
Please be sure to review the treatment process, starting with diagnosis, before making your decision.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many treatment sessions are usually needed for acne scars?
The number of sessions depends on the depth, extent, and condition of the scars. Treatment is often carried out in stages to account for the time collagen needs to regenerate, and the full course may be planned over six months or longer. After diagnosis, we will give you a realistic guide to the number of sessions and intervals required for your specific scars.
Q2. Is the treatment very painful?
Numbing ointment is applied thoroughly before treatment, and the level of discomfort varies depending on the area and the individual. Most people describe it as a prickling or burning sensation. Depending on the intensity of the treatment and the location of the scars, the sensation may differ. If needed, we adjust the treatment settings to help reduce discomfort.
Q3. I’m concerned about side effects.
After treatment, redness, warmth, tiny crusts, and temporary changes in pigmentation may occur. The degree and recovery period of these reactions can vary depending on skin type and treatment intensity, and sun protection and moisturizing are especially important afterward. Before treatment, we check your skin type and likelihood of pigmentation, and then explain the expected recovery process and precautions.
Q4. Can long-standing scars also be expected to improve?
Yes, even older acne scars can improve depending on skin condition. However, because older scars have firmer tissue, the response to treatment may be slower and multiple sessions may be needed. It is important to assess the scar’s depth and shape and the skin’s regenerative capacity before planning the number of sessions and the treatment period.
Q5. When can I wash my face and wear makeup after treatment?
After UltraPulse Alpha, it is best to avoid irritating the skin as much as possible, so care is needed with washing and makeup. Gentle cleansing is possible on the same day, but we recommend applying makeup only after your follow-up visit, where you can discuss your recovery status.
Ultimately, acne scar treatment begins with identifying the type of scar and designing a treatment that fits it.
If you’re curious about what type of scar you have and what treatment you may need, please start with a detailed consultation at Pixellab Plastic Surgery.
*This post was written directly by Pixellab Plastic Surgery Clinic in compliance with Article 56(1) of the Medical Service Act, for the purpose of providing medical information and promotion. All treatments and surgeries carry a possibility of side effects that vary by individual, so please make decisions only after thorough consultation with qualified medical professionals.