Postacne: How to Get Rid of Pimples and Scars After Acne — 7 Effective Methods

1️⃣ ATROPHIC SCARS (pits, dents) — 80% cases

This is the most common type of post-acne. It occurs when NOT ENOUGH collagen is produced during the healing of acne. The skin at the site of inflammation “sags” downwards.

Subtypes:
• Ice-pick — narrow deep pits, similar to a needle prick
• Boxcar — wide pits with sharp edges, similar to chickenpox
• Rolling (wavy) — smooth dents, creating an uneven skin relief

2️⃣ HYPERTROPHIC/KELOID SCARS (convex) — 15% cases

They form when TOO MUCH collagen is produced during healing. The skin at the site of the pimple rises above the surface, forming firm bumps.

Differences:
• Hypertrophic — remain within the wound, may gradually decrease
• Keloids — grow beyond the wound, do not go away on their own, require treatment

3️⃣ PIGMENTATION (spots, discoloration) — 5% cases

Red, brown, or dark spots where previous acne has occurred. These are not true scars, but pigmentation disorders. They are the easiest to treat.

❌ CAUSE #1: Damaged dermis does not recover

When a pimple becomes inflamed, the collagen fibers in the deeper layers of the skin (dermis) are destroyed. In their place, connective tissue forms - this is the scar. The body CANNOT “recycle” this tissue back into normal skin on its own.

❌ CAUSE #2: Blood supply is impaired

The blood vessels at the site of the scar are damaged. Without normal blood circulation, the cells do not receive enough oxygen and nutrients to repair themselves. Therefore, the scar remains forever unless there is external intervention.

❌ CAUSE #3: Collagen “frozen” in the wrong state

During healing, collagen fibers are arranged in a chaotic manner (like tangled threads) rather than in an orderly manner (like in healthy skin). Without external stimulation, the body will NOT “re-weave” them correctly.

1️⃣ CHEMICAL PEELS (medium and deep action)

How it works: Acids (salicylic, glycolic, TCA, retinoic) “burn” the upper layers of the skin in a controlled manner. During healing, the body produces NEW collagen — properly organized.

For which scars: Superficial atrophic, pigmentation
Efficiency: 40-60% post-course improvement
Course: 4-6 procedures with an interval of 2-4 weeks
Where to do: Facial peeling at Ageless

2️⃣ LASER THERAPY (fractional laser, CO2 laser)

How it works: The laser beam creates thousands of microscopic channels in the skin. This triggers powerful regeneration - the body “patches” these channels with NEW collagen, smoothing the surface.

For which scars: Deep atrophic (ice-pick, boxcar), pronounced pits
Efficiency: 60-80% post-course improvement
Course: 3-5 procedures with an interval of 4-6 weeks
Rehabilitation: 5-7 days (redness, peeling)

3️⃣ RF-MICRO-NEEDLE THERAPY (Microneedling RF)

How it works: Thin needles pierce the skin to the desired depth + radiofrequency pulses are delivered through them. This stimulates collagen EXACTLY at the scar site.

For which scars: All types of atrophic, rolling-type
Efficiency: 50-70% improvement
Course: 3-4 procedures with an interval of 4-6 weeks
Where to do: RF lifting at Ageless

4️⃣ PLASMOTHERAPY (PRP therapy)

How it works: Platelet-rich plasma (growth factors) is extracted from your blood and injected into the scar areas. The growth factors “wake up” the cells and stimulate the synthesis of new collagen.

For which scars: Atrophic, pigmentation, improvement of general skin condition
Efficiency: 30-50% improvement (good as a SUPPLEMENT to other methods)
Course: 3-4 procedures with an interval of 2-4 weeks

5️⃣ FILLERS (hyaluronic acid for smoothing)

How it works: Special fillers are injected into deep pits, which “raise” the bottom of the scar to the level of healthy skin. This gives an INSTANT effect.

For which scars: Deep single pits (ice-pick, rolling)
Efficiency: 70-90% alignment (but TEMPORARY effect - 6-12 months)
Course: 1-2 procedures, then maintenance once a year

6️⃣ CARBON PEELING (for mild forms of post-acne)

How it works: Laser + carbon nanoparticles deeply cleanse pores, even out tone, and stimulate skin renewal. Read more in our article about carbon facial peeling.

For which scars: Pigmentation, surface irregularities, prevention
Efficiency: 30-40% improvement
Course: 5-6 procedures with an interval of 7-10 days

7️⃣ SUBCISSION (surgical excision of scars)

How it works: A special needle “cuts” the connective tissue strands that pull the bottom of the scar down. After that, the pit is lifted. Often combined with fillers.

For which scars: Deep rolling scars
Efficiency: 60-80% improvement
Course: 1-2 procedures + additional methods

❌ Scar cream from the pharmacy — works ONLY on fresh scars (up to 3 months). On old post-acne scars (1-5 years old) — a waste of money

❌ Oils (sea buckthorn, rosehip, cocoa) — moisturizes the skin, but does NOT smooth out scars. Oil cannot “patch” missing collagen

❌ Badyaga and homemade scrubs — can even worsen the condition! They injure the skin, cause inflammation

❌ Vitamin E in capsules — studies have shown that it does NOT improve scar healing (and may cause allergies in some people)

❌ Lemon juice and vinegar — can cause chemical burns. Acid concentration is uncontrolled!

❌ Home dermaroller — without sterility and proper technique, you risk getting an infection or even making scars worse

1. Determines the type of scars — whether they are atrophic, hypertrophic, or mixed. The choice of method depends on this.

2. Assesses depth — Superficial scars are treated with peels, deep scars are treated only with laser or subcision.

3. Checks for contraindications — you may have a keloid tendency or active acne that needs to be treated first.

4. Creates an individual plan — combination of methods, number of procedures, intervals, result forecast.

5. Gives care recommendations — what products to use, what to avoid, how to prepare for the procedures.

MILD SCAR (superficial scars, pigmentation)

Course: 4-6 peeling or carbon peeling procedures
Result: 50-70% improvement
Term: 3-4 months

MEDIUM TREATMENT (visible pits, rolling scars)

Course: 3-4 RF therapy or fractional laser treatments
Result: 60-80% improvement
Term: 5-6 months

SEVERE ICE-PICK (deep ice-pick, multiple scars)

Course: 5-7 laser procedures + subcision + fillers
Result: 70-90% improvement (complete removal not possible!)
Term: 8-12 months

The honest answer is: absolutely NO. But it can be improved by 70-90% to make the scars almost invisible. Deep ice-pick scars are the most difficult to treat - it is realistic to achieve 60-80% improvement. Superficial and rolling scars can be reduced by 80-90%, which visually gives almost smooth skin.

Depends on the method and number of procedures. Approximate prices in Ukraine: chemical peeling — 800-1500 UAH, carbon peeling — 1200-1800 UAH, RF therapy — 2000-3500 UAH, fractional laser — 3000-6000 UAH, fillers — 3000-8000 UAH per zone. A full course can cost from 10,000 to 50,000 UAH depending on the complexity.

Depends on the method. Peels and carbon peeling are almost painless (slight tingling). RF therapy and laser - tingling and warm sensation (tolerated without anesthesia, but you can apply a painkiller cream). Subcision and fillers - are done under local anesthesia, so it doesn't hurt.

Depends on the method. Carbon peels — zero recovery. Chemical peels — 3-7 days of peeling. Fractional laser — 5-7 days of redness and recovery. RF therapy — 2-3 days of slight pinkness. Fillers and subcision — possible bruising for 3-5 days. Plan your procedures so that you have 3-7 days off.

Depends on the method. Laser procedures and deep peels are better in autumn-winter (risk of pigmentation from the sun). Carbon peeling, light peelings, RF therapy are possible all year round ON THE CONDITION OF using SPF 50+ daily. Fillers and plasma therapy are without seasonal restrictions.

Old scars that you have healed will NOT come back. BUT if you continue to have acne, NEW scars may form. Therefore, it is important to first heal the acne itself (if it is active) and only then deal with the consequences. Otherwise, it is like patching holes in a boat that still has holes.

Light methods (peelings, carbon peeling) - from the age of 18. Laser procedures and RF therapy - from the age of 20-25 (when the skin is already formed). Fillers - from the age of 18 if there are indications. IMPORTANT: if a teenager has post-acne - it is better to start with acne treatment, and after 18 years to work with scars.

CATEGORIC NOT! Squeezing pimples is the main cause of post-acne. When you squeeze, you injure the deep layers of the skin, introduce bacteria, and spread inflammation. If you need to remove comedones, get it done professionally. facial cleansing at a cosmetologist in sterile conditions.

Foundation can hide pigmentation (red/brown spots), but will NOT hide voluminous dimples. Moreover, foundation clogs the scar, emphasizing the unevenness. For masking, use special SILICONE PRIMERS (they fill the dimples) + light foundation. But this is a temporary solution - treatment is necessary.

NO. Anyone who promises you to “cure post-acne in 1 go” is lying or doesn’t understand the problem. Structural changes in the skin need time to recover. Even the most powerful fractional laser gives 30-40% improvement after ONE procedure. A course is always needed for a good result. The exception is fillers, but their effect is temporary (6-12 months).