The best acne scar treatment depends on the type of scar: depressed scars (ice pick, boxcar, and rolling) are treated with subcision plus Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume and Potenza RF microneedling, while red and brown acne marks (PIE and PIH) are treated with lasers such as Clarity II, Genesis toning, and PicoSure toning. Below, Gowa Clinic in Seoul, Korea compares these acne scar treatments, including which is better for each scar type, downtime, number of sessions, whether results are permanent, and how visitors to Korea can plan treatment around a short stay.
Contents
- Types of acne scars: How are depressed scars different from pigmented acne marks?
- Can acne scars heal naturally or be removed with ointments and scar creams?
- What is Potenza RF microneedling, and does it work for depressed acne scars?
- How are Rejuran S, subcision, and Juvelook Volume used for depressed acne scars?
- Rejuran S vs Juvelook Volume vs Potenza: Which is better for depressed acne scars?
- Ice pick, boxcar, or rolling: Which treatment suits my acne scars?
- How are red and brown acne marks (PIE and PIH) treated with lasers?
- Can I combine treatments for depressed scars and pigmentation, such as Potenza with Juvelook?
- What is the downtime and pain like for acne scar treatment?
- How many acne scar treatments do I need, when will I see results, and are they permanent?
- Can I start acne scar treatment while I still have breakouts? Who should be cautious?
- Are there side effects of acne scar treatment, and how can I prevent them?
- Can I get acne scar treatment in Seoul as a visitor? How long should I stay in Korea?
- Why choose Gowa Clinic for acne scar treatment?
Q1. Types of acne scars: How are depressed scars different from pigmented acne marks?
Acne scars fall into two main groups: depressed (atrophic) scars, where the skin is sunken, and pigmented scars (acne marks), where the surface is flat but red or brown color remains. The two have different causes and different treatments.
Depressed scars form when inflammation spreads deep into the dermis and damages collagen, and the tissue does not fill back in evenly as it heals. They are grouped by shape as follows.
- Ice pick scars: Narrow at the surface and deep
- Boxcar scars: Sharp edges with a flat, sunken base
- Rolling scars: Fibrous bands beneath the skin pull it down, creating a wavy, uneven surface
- Pigmented scars: Red marks from enlarged blood vessels, or brown marks from leftover melanin after inflammation
Most skin has both depressed scars and pigmentation, so distinguishing the type and depth of your scars first is the starting point of treatment. The more often acne is squeezed or left inflamed for a long time, the more likely it is to leave a scar.
Q2. Can acne scars heal naturally or be removed with ointments and scar creams?
Red and brown marks often fade over time, but this usually takes several months and can take a year or more, while depressed scars rarely fill back in naturally or disappear with ointments or scar creams alone.
Creams, including popular Korean skincare products, can help with surface healing, moisture, and fading marks, but they cannot fill areas sunken down into the dermis. That is why many people feel acne scars “can’t be fixed.” While complete removal is difficult, depressed scars can be improved with regenerative and filling treatments, and pigmentation with brightening treatments, making them less noticeable. The degree of improvement varies with scar depth and skin condition.
Q3. What is Potenza RF microneedling, and does it work for depressed acne scars?
Potenza is an RF microneedling treatment that uses fine needles to deliver radiofrequency (RF) energy directly into the dermis, and it is widely used for depressed scars and enlarged pores. The tiny channels made by the needles and the RF heat work together, encouraging new collagen as the skin repairs itself.
Because needle depth and energy can be adjusted to the depth and location of each scar, it is used to refine the skin texture and pores around scars. At Gowa Clinic, we primarily use the pore and scar tip and choose other tips to suit your skin, such as the pumping tip, which delivers regenerative ingredients during the RF treatment.
Q4. How are Rejuran S, subcision, and Juvelook Volume used for depressed acne scars?
For depressed scars, especially those covering a wide area, a common approach is to release the fibrous bands pulling the scar down with subcision, then fill that space with Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume.
- Subcision: A fine specialized needle is inserted beneath the scar to cut the fibrous bands tethering the skin, creating space for the sunken skin to lift.
- Rejuran S: A PN (polynucleotide) injectable in the Rejuran line developed for depressed scars and sunken areas; it is injected in small amounts into the scar to support regeneration and filling.
- Juvelook Volume: An injectable combining PDLLA (a collagen-stimulating ingredient) with hyaluronic acid, which helps collagen build up over time in scars covering a wide area.
With subcision alone, the released space can reattach, so the key is injecting regenerative and filling ingredients at the same time to reduce the chance of the scar sinking again. Depending on scar depth and area, Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume is used, or both are planned together.
Q5. Rejuran S vs Juvelook Volume vs Potenza: Which is better for depressed acne scars?
No single treatment is better for every depressed scar; the right choice depends on scar shape and depth. In short, Potenza “refines texture and pores,” subcision + Rejuran S “releases and fills sunken areas while supporting regeneration,” and subcision + Juvelook Volume “lets collagen gradually fill wide sunken areas.”
| Method | Target area | Best for | Downtime | Treatment schedule | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potenza | RF microneedling | Dermis (needle depth adjusted to scar depth) | Shallow boxcar scars, texture around scars, enlarged pores | Redness and swelling for 1–3 days; tiny needle marks may be visible | Usually several sessions, about 4 weeks apart (varies by individual) |
| Subcision + Rejuran S | Release fibrous bands, then regenerate and fill with a PN injectable | Dermis directly beneath the scar | Rolling and boxcar depressed scars | Bruising and swelling may last from a few days to 1–2 weeks | Usually several sessions, around 4 weeks apart (varies by individual) |
| Subcision + Juvelook Volume | Release fibrous bands, then inject a collagen-stimulating ingredient | Beneath the scar, at the boundary between the dermis and subcutaneous layer | Wide rolling scars, uneven texture across the cheeks | Bruising and swelling for a few days to 1–2 weeks; aftercare needed to prevent lumps at injection sites | Usually several sessions, 4–8 weeks apart (varies by individual) |
For deep, wide depressed scars, treatment usually centers on subcision with Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume to fill them, while Potenza is often planned alongside to refine texture and pores around the scars.
Q6. Ice pick, boxcar, or rolling: Which treatment suits my acne scars?
Neither option is better overall; the right choice depends on the type and depth of your scars and how much downtime you can manage, and most plans combine two or three options. The following are general guidelines; your actual plan is set after an examination.
Subcision + Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume may suit you if
- Your main concern is rolling scars where the skin looks pulled down
- You have deeper boxcar scars or uneven texture across the cheeks
- You can adjust your schedule for about 1–2 weeks of bruising and swelling
Potenza may suit you if
- You are concerned about relatively shallow boxcar scars along with rough texture
- You are also concerned about enlarged pores along with scars
- You prefer to keep downtime to about 1–3 days of redness and swelling
Ice pick scars, which are narrow and deep, may show limited improvement with treatments alone, so the plan is made after thoroughly discussing realistic expectations.
Q7. How are red and brown acne marks (PIE and PIH) treated with lasers?
Pigmented scars are not sunken but colored, so they are treated with brightening treatments that reduce blood vessels in red marks and melanin in brown marks.
Red acne marks (PIE: post-inflammatory erythema)
- Cause: Enlarged blood vessels left where inflammation used to be make the area look red
- Main treatments: Clarity II redness laser, which targets blood vessels, and Genesis toning, which evens out overall skin tone
Brown acne marks (PIH: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
- Cause: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where melanin remains after inflammation
- Main treatments: PicoSure toning, which breaks pigment into fine particles with a picosecond laser, combined with brightening care if needed
Pigmentation darkens easily with sun exposure and irritation, so along with treatment, consistent sun protection and gentle daily care help shorten the time it takes to fade.
Q8. Can I combine treatments for depressed scars and pigmentation, such as Potenza with Juvelook?
Yes. Combining them to match your scar types and skin condition can help achieve more even improvement.
Acne scars often mix depressed scars with pigmentation, so it is hard to address everything with a single treatment. That is why we plan treatment by separately addressing sunken areas, texture, and color.
- Subcision + Rejuran S / Juvelook Volume: Release fibrous bands and fill sunken areas to address the depth of depressed scars
- Potenza + Juvelook: A popular combination in which the Potenza pumping tip delivers regenerative ingredients during the RF treatment
- Depressed scar treatment + PicoSure toning or Genesis toning: Address depressed scars together with red or brown marks (intervals are decided by the doctor)
- Scar treatment + acne care: New breakouts are managed with anti-inflammatory injections and extraction care
Q9. What is the downtime and pain like for acne scar treatment?
Downtime: When subcision is combined with Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume, bruising and swelling may last from a few days to 1–2 weeks. Potenza causes redness and swelling for about 1–3 days, and brightening treatments such as PicoSure toning and Genesis toning usually allow normal activities right after treatment. Recovery varies with treatment intensity and skin condition, so if you have an important event coming up, discuss the type and timing of treatment in advance.
Pain: Subcision and Potenza use needles, so they are usually performed after applying numbing cream, with local anesthesia added if needed. Toning feels like a light sting or warmth.
Q10. How many acne scar treatments do I need, when will I see results, and are they permanent?
Acne scars usually become shallower gradually over several sessions rather than disappearing at once. Depressed scar treatment is generally planned for 3 or more sessions at least 4 weeks apart, and brightening treatment for pigmentation for several sessions 1–2 weeks apart; deeper or wider scars may need more, and results vary greatly by individual. If you are visiting from abroad and cannot come in many times, the combination and intervals can be planned around the length of your stay.
Because new collagen takes time to form, many people begin to notice changes in depressed scars after 2–3 sessions, with gradual improvement over 3–6 months after the final session (varies by individual).
Filled areas tend to last a relatively long time, but the goal is to make scars less noticeable rather than to erase them completely. New acne can also create new scars, and as skin loses elasticity with age, scars may look more visible again, so it is best to continue acne care and maintenance treatments.
Q11. Can I start acne scar treatment while I still have breakouts? Who should be cautious?
If you have a lot of inflammatory acne, it is common to calm the inflammation first and then begin scar treatment. Treating scars while acne is active can irritate the skin, worsen inflammation, or cause pigmentation. If breakouts are only occasional, scar treatment is sometimes done alongside acne care, with anti-inflammatory injections for red, swollen pimples and extraction care for clogged pores.
If any of the following apply to you, be sure to let us know before treatment and discuss timing or methods with your doctor.
- Medications: You are taking or have recently taken acne medication such as isotretinoin, or medication that makes you bruise easily, such as aspirin or anticoagulants
- Skin condition: You have an infection, cold sores (herpes), or severe dermatitis in the treatment area
- Tendencies: You are prone to keloids (raised scars) or scar easily
- Other: You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have metal implants or other factors that may affect treatment
Q12. Are there side effects of acne scar treatment, and how can I prevent them?
Temporary redness, swelling, and bruising are common after treatment, and if the intensity does not suit your skin or aftercare is insufficient, pigmentation, infection, lumps at injection sites (nodules), or acne flare-ups may occur in rare cases. Asian skin in particular is prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation, so careful intensity control and aftercare are important.
[How to choose a good clinic]- A doctor who distinguishes depressed scars from pigmentation, examines scar type, depth, and current acne, and explains the treatment order
- A clinic that adjusts the subcision area, injection amount, needle depth, and laser intensity to the scar area and skin thickness
- A clinic that can check and respond right away if bruising, lumps, or pigment changes occur after treatment
- For a few days after treatment, avoid saunas, alcohol, and intense exercise, and do not pick at scabs or flaking skin.
- After Juvelook Volume, massage the area as instructed and let the clinic know if you feel any lumps.
- Use sunscreen and moisturizer consistently, and talk to your doctor before resuming exfoliants or products with retinol or acids.
Q13. Can I get acne scar treatment in Seoul as a visitor? How long should I stay in Korea?
Yes. Many visitors receive acne scar treatment during a trip to Seoul, but because depressed scars improve over several sessions, it helps to plan your stay around recovery time and treatment intervals.
The following are general guidelines; the actual plan depends on your scars and is set after an examination.
- Short stay (about 3–5 days): Laser treatments for red and brown marks (PIE and PIH), such as PicoSure toning or Genesis toning, which usually allow normal activities right after, or a Potenza session with about 1–3 days of redness
- About 1–2 weeks: Time for bruising and swelling after subcision with Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume to settle before you fly home (recovery varies by individual)
- Repeat visits: Depressed scars usually need 3 or more sessions at least 4 weeks apart, so many visitors start treatment on one trip and continue on later visits
When booking, let us know your travel dates so the type and order of treatment can be planned around your departure. Gowa Clinic is right by Exit 9 of Sinnonhyeon Station in Seoul and is also open on weekends (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10:00–20:00 / Sat–Sun 10:00–17:00 / closed Wednesdays), which makes it easier to fit treatment into a travel schedule.
Q14. Why choose Gowa Clinic for acne scar treatment?
“Before filling in a scar, we read its shape.”
At Gowa Clinic, near Sinnonhyeon Station in Seoul, we do not try to solve acne scars with a single device.
Through consultation and examination, we first distinguish the shape and depth of depressed scars, red or brown pigmentation, and current acne inflammation, then set a treatment order that matches your type of scars.
Based on this, we combine subcision with Rejuran S or Juvelook Volume, Potenza, and brightening treatments such as PicoSure toning and Genesis toning to suit your skin and carefully adjust the intensity, providing scar care you can continue comfortably over time.
