Acne may be gone, but the marks it leaves behind can feel like an unwanted reminder that sticks around. The tricky part is that not every spot is a true scar, and not every scar needs the same treatment. Understanding what is happening in your skin is the first step toward choosing a treatment that can actually support it.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Acne scars form when a breakout causes deep inflammation in the skin. As the skin heals, it uses collagen to repair the damaged area. If it makes too little collagen, the skin may sink and leave an indent. If it makes too much, a raised scar can form.
The deeper and longer the inflammation lasts, the greater the chance of a scar being left behind. This is why getting active acne under control is such an important first step.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Acne Scarring
Some breakouts are more likely to leave scars than others. Deep cystic acne can damage more skin than a small surface blemish. Acne that stays red, sore, and swollen for a long time can also make it harder for the skin to heal smoothly.
Other factors that can increase the risk of acne scars include genetics, delaying treatment, picking or squeezing breakouts, and too much sun exposure without SPF.
Sun exposure does not create an acne scar, but it can make red or dark post-acne marks look deeper and last longer.
Can Picking at Acne Cause Scars?
We know how tempting it is to pick at a breakout, especially when it feels like it has been there forever. But squeezing a blemish can push bacteria and inflammation deeper into the skin.
It can also tear the skin around the breakout and slow down the healing process. This raises the risk of uneven texture, dark marks, and lasting scars. The kindest thing you can do for a breakout is keep your hands off and let your skin heal with the right support.
Acne Scars vs. Post-Acne Marks
Not every mark left after a breakout is a scar. True acne scars change the texture of the skin. They may look sunken, raised, or uneven. Post-acne marks change the colour of the skin but usually stay flat.
This difference matters because scars and marks do not always respond to the same treatments.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can leave brown or grey marks after a breakout has healed. These marks form when inflammation causes the skin to make extra pigment.
Unlike a true acne scar, hyperpigmentation does not change the texture of the skin. It may fade over time, but sun exposure can make it look darker and last longer.
Post-Inflammatory Erythema
Some breakouts leave behind red or pink marks, even after the swelling and soreness are gone. This happens when tiny blood vessels near the skin stay visible after inflammation.
These marks are flat and are not the same as textured acne scars. They can slowly fade, but the right skin care and treatments may help support the healing process.
What Are the Different Types of Acne Scars?
Acne scars can look very different from one person to the next. Some dip below the skin, while others sit above it.
Knowing which type of scar you have is important because each one may need a different treatment plan. A treatment that helps a shallow scar may not be the best choice for a deep or raised scar.
Atrophic or Depressed Acne Scars
Atrophic scars form when the skin does not make enough collagen while healing. This leaves a dip or hollow in the skin.
There are three common types of depressed acne scars.
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are narrow and deep. They often look like tiny holes or pinpricks in the skin.
Because they reach deeper into the skin, they can be harder to improve with surface treatments alone.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars are wider dents with clear, defined edges. They may be shallow or deep and often appear on the cheeks or jawline.
Their shape can make the skin look uneven, especially when light hits the face from the side.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars are wider and more shallow, with soft edges. They can make the skin look wavy or gently uneven instead of sharply indented.
These scars are often linked to bands of tissue beneath the skin that pull the surface downward.
Hypertrophic or Raised Acne Scars
Hypertrophic scars form when the skin makes too much collagen during healing. Instead of leaving a dip, the scar rises above the surrounding skin.
Raised scars may feel firm, thick, itchy, or tender. They often need a different treatment approach than depressed acne scars, so a proper skin assessment is an important first step.
Should Active Acne Be Treated Before Acne Scars?
In most cases, yes. Active acne should be under control before the main focus shifts to scars.
If new breakouts keep forming, they can create more inflammation, more dark marks, and more scarring. Treating the acne first gives the skin a better chance to calm down and heal.
It also helps us see what is really left behind. Once active breakouts are reduced, it becomes easier to tell the difference between redness, pigmentation, and true changes in skin texture.
What Are the Best Acne Scar Treatments?
There is no single best acne scar treatment for everyone. The right option depends on the type and depth of the scar, whether there is pigmentation, if acne is still active, and how sensitive the skin is.
Your goals matter too. Some people want to improve dark marks, while others are more concerned about dents, rough texture, or uneven skin.
One thing we see often at Clear Complexions is clients coming in convinced that every mark on their skin is a permanent scar, and sometimes they have even tried other treatments to fix those “scars”. In many cases, some of what they are seeing is redness, pigmentation, or active inflammation that may improve with the right plan. That is why we always start by looking closely at what is actually happening in the skin before recommending a treatment.
At Clear Complexions, treatment plans are built around what your skin needs now, not just the treatment that happens to be popular. That is why it is so important to have a first-time consultation with a specialist.
Chemical Peels for Acne Scars
Chemical peels remove built-up skin cells and support fresh, smoother-looking skin underneath. They can help improve post-acne pigmentation, clogged pores, rough texture, dullness, and mild surface-level scarring.
For anyone searching for a chemical peel in Vancouver, the most important part is choosing the right strength for your skin. A peel that is too strong can cause more irritation, while the right peel can support steady, healthy skin renewal.
Chemical peels are often better suited to flat marks and mild textural concerns than deep acne scars.
What Happens During a Chemical Peel?
The treatment starts with a double cleanse. An enzyme may then be used to prepare the skin and help the peel work more evenly.
The peel is applied based on your skin type and concern. You may feel mild warmth or tingling. Depending on the formula, it may be layered, neutralized, or left on the skin.
The treatment ends with a custom mask, finishing products, and SPF to protect the skin.
How Often Should You Get a Chemical Peel?
Chemical peels are often most effective as a series instead of a one-time treatment.
At Clear Complexions, peels may be recommended every two to four weeks for a series of three to six sessions. The exact schedule depends on your skin, goals, and how well it responds.
Maintenance treatments may then be spaced farther apart.
Chemical Peel Preparation and Aftercare
For five to seven days before and after your peel, avoid retinol, exfoliants, waxing, and strong active ingredients.
You should also avoid tanning and too much sun exposure. Keep the skin hydrated, use gentle products, and wear SPF every day.
Tell your provider if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, using Accutane, taking medications, or have open wounds or active cold sores.
SkinPen Microneedling for Acne Scars
SkinPen microneedling uses tiny, controlled microchannels to support collagen production and improve the look of acne scars, uneven texture, fine lines, and skin laxity. The treatment includes numbing cream, a calming mask, and Clear Complexions’ signature upper-body massage, making this advanced treatment feel much more relaxing than you might expect.
Microneedling is not used over active acne flare-ups, so breakouts may need to be treated first.
What Happens During SkinPen Microneedling?
The skin is double-cleansed and disinfected before numbing cream is applied.
While the numbing cream sits, Clear Complexions adds an upper-body massage, because clinical skin care can still feel calm and relaxing.
The SkinPen device is then passed gently over the skin to create controlled microchannels. Most clients feel light pressure or mild scratching.
A sterile, cooling mask is applied afterward to help soothe the skin.
SkinPen Results and Downtime
SkinPen is often recommended in a series of three to six sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart.
After treatment, the skin may look pink, feel tight, or become slightly dry for a few days. It can feel similar to a mild sunburn.
Early changes may appear within seven to ten days, but collagen takes time to rebuild. The skin can continue improving for four to six weeks after each session.
Clear Complexions Acne Bootcamp
The Clear Complexions Acne Bootcamp is a structured treatment program for active acne, hormonal breakouts, post-acne marks, and scarring. Instead of treating one breakout at a time, the program looks at what is causing the acne and supports the skin through each stage of healing.
For inflamed, sensitive, or first-time acne clients, the journey may begin with the three-session Oxygen Rx Starter Series. Each treatment combines Oxygen Rx, high frequency, and blue LED light to help target acne-causing bacteria, reduce redness, and calm the skin without peeling or downtime. The series also includes a skin analysis and a custom home-care plan.
Clients with moderate to severe acne may move into the six-session Aerolase Acne Bootcamp. This program uses Aerolase Neo Clear technology to target deep inflammation, active breakouts, hormonal acne, post-acne pigmentation, and scarring. Sessions are adjusted as the skin changes and may include extractions and ongoing professional support.
The goal is not to throw more products at your skin. It is to create a clear plan that treats the acne you have now while helping prevent new marks and scars from forming.
Treat Active Acne Early
The sooner active acne is treated, the lower the chance it has to create more serious damage in the skin.
Breakouts that stay swollen, sore, or inflamed for a long time are more likely to affect collagen and leave a mark behind. Getting acne under control can help the skin heal more smoothly and lower the risk of new scars forming.
Protect the Skin From the Sun
Sun exposure can make post-acne marks look darker and cause them to stay visible for longer.
Daily SPF helps protect healing skin and keeps red, brown, or grey marks from becoming more noticeable. This matters even on cloudy days, because UV rays can still reach the skin.
Avoid Picking and Over-Exfoliating
Picking at a breakout may feel helpful in the moment, but it can push inflammation deeper and damage the skin around it.
Over-exfoliating can also make things worse. Using too many acids, scrubs, or strong products can weaken the skin barrier and slow down healing.
Gentle, steady care is usually more helpful than trying to scrub a breakout away.
Why a Personalized Acne Scar Treatment Plan Matters
Acne scars are not all the same, so the treatment plan should not be the same either.
The right approach depends on whether acne is still active, the type and depth of the scars, the amount of pigmentation, and how healthy the skin barrier is. Skin sensitivity, lifestyle, treatment goals, and how much downtime feels realistic also matter.
At Clear Complexions, treatment plans are built around the skin in front of us. That may mean calming active breakouts first, then moving into chemical peels, microneedling, or a mix of treatments over time.
Your Skin Deserves More Than a One-Size-Fits-All Fix
Acne scars can take time to improve, but you do not have to guess your way through the process. At Clear Complexions, we look at your active acne, pigmentation, scar type, skin barrier, and goals before creating a treatment plan that fits your skin.
Whether your next step is Acne Bootcamp, a chemical peel, SkinPen microneedling, or a mix of treatments, we are here to guide you through it. Contact Clear Complexions to book your free consultation and find the right path for clearer, smoother, healthier-looking skin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acne Scar Treatment
Do Chemical Peels Get Rid of Acne Scars?
Chemical peels can help fade post-acne marks, smooth rough texture, and improve mild surface-level scarring. They may not be enough for deep ice pick, boxcar, or rolling scars. These scars often need a treatment that works deeper in the skin, such as microneedling.
Can I Get a Chemical Peel If I Have Active Acne?
Some chemical peels can help acne-prone skin by clearing buildup, improving congestion, and supporting smoother skin. However, very inflamed, damaged, or sensitive skin may need to calm down first. A skin assessment can help decide whether a peel is suitable or whether a gentler acne treatment would be a better starting point.
How Long Does It Take to See Acne Scar Treatment Results?
Acne scar results take time because the skin needs to heal, renew, and build collagen. You may notice brighter or smoother skin after a few weeks, but deeper texture changes can take several months. Most treatments work best as a series, with results building after each session.