Acne Scar Treatment

Rather than removing scars, it aims to make their depth and edges less noticeable. The degree of improvement varies from person to person, and changes appear over several months.

Flat marks that differ only in color are usually not scars in the strict sense. Red marks are often blood vessels that increased after inflammation, and brown marks are often post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. If needed, methods that address color are used.

Treatment is usually done after topical numbing cream is applied to the treatment area. The numbing method varies with the area and intensity. Even with numbing, you may feel stinging and warmth when the laser touches the skin, and how much varies from person to person. If it becomes hard to bear during treatment, tell us right away.

For the full face, the laser itself usually takes about 30 min. This does not include applying numbing cream and waiting, which takes extra time. The time varies with the treatment area (1 cm · both cheeks · full face) and your skin condition. We tell you the total time, including numbing cream and soothing care, after an examination.

Usually, redness and swelling last a few days and tiny brown micro-crusts about 1 week, and some redness may remain for a few weeks. You can wash your face, shower, and wear makeup, but do not rub or scratch the treated area hard. Avoid alcohol, smoking, saunas, and exercise; we tell you how long to avoid them after an examination. If you have an important event, we plan the treatment date together during your consultation.

Typically, about 3 sessions 4–8 weeks apart. We do the next session after checking that your skin has recovered. Deep scars may need more sessions, and it depends on the depth and type of the scars. At DM Dermatology, we tell you the interval and number of sessions after an examination.

Depending on the type of acne scar, other methods are sometimes added to Fraxel. For rolling scars, methods that release the fibrous bands, or radiofrequency microneedling such as Potenza, may be considered as well. If enlarged pores also concern you, Triple Pore Care may be discussed. Which treatments to combine, and in what order, is decided after an examination, based on your skin.

Fraxel uses laser light to create tiny column-shaped heat injuries. Potenza delivers radiofrequency heat to the dermis with microneedles. The right method may differ by scar type and skin condition, and the doctor decides whether to plan both together.

If inflamed acne keeps appearing, new scars may form. So scar treatment is usually planned while acne is being controlled, and the doctor decides the timing based on your acne.

If you are taking it or have recently stopped, be sure to tell us before treatment. The doctor decides the timing after checking your skin.

DM Dermatology in Apgujeong offers scar treatment in three area options: a small area (1 cm), both cheeks, or the full face. If you have only a few scars, we check at your visit whether just those spots can be treated.