Icepick scars
Narrow, deep and steep-sided, like a small puncture. The hardest type to resurface, often better treated point by point.
Acne scar treatment in Chennai
Acne scars are permanent changes in skin structure left after inflammation, and they differ from the flat brown marks many people call scars — those are pigmentation and fade on their own. True scars are classified as icepick, boxcar or rolling, and each responds to a different procedure. Treatment reduces depth and visibility; it is gradual and staged rather than a single session.
Which type do you have?
Identifying the type matters, because each is treated differently.
Boxcar scars
Wider depressions with sharp, defined edges, commonly on the cheeks and temples.
Rolling scars
Shallow, wave-like undulations caused by fibrous tethers pulling the skin down from beneath.
Post-inflammatory marks
Flat brown or red patches — not scars at all. These are pigmentation and usually settle with time, sun protection and pigment-directed treatment.
What causes it
- Collagen loss during deep inflammatory or cystic acne
- Delayed treatment of active acne — the strongest predictor of scarring
- Picking or squeezing lesions
- Individual healing tendency, which varies genetically
What actually helps
Assessment and classification
The scar type decides the procedure. A plan built without classifying the scars first is guesswork — most faces carry a mix and need combination treatment.
Microneedling with radiofrequency or PRP
Stimulates collagen remodelling in rolling and shallow boxcar scars. Usually a course of sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Resurfacing procedures
Fractional resurfacing can improve texture and boxcar edges. Settings must be chosen carefully for deeper skin tones to limit the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Realistic expectations
The clinical goal is substantial reduction in visibility, not erasure. Most protocols aim for staged improvement across several months.
Treatments we use for this
Common questions
Can acne scars be removed completely?
No credible treatment erases scars entirely. What is achievable is a marked reduction in depth and visibility — most patients need a course of sessions, and results vary with scar type, skin type and how long the scars have been present.
Are acne scar treatments safe for Indian skin?
Yes, when settings and devices are chosen for deeper skin tones. The main risk in Fitzpatrick IV–V skin is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is managed with conservative settings, priming and strict sun protection.
What is the difference between acne marks and acne scars?
Marks are flat brown or red discolouration that fades over months. Scars are textural — indentations or raised tissue — and do not resolve on their own. They are treated differently.
How many sessions will I need?
Commonly four to six for textural scarring, spaced several weeks apart, though this depends on scar type and depth. Your doctor will set the expected range at your consultation.
This page is educational and does not replace an in-person consultation. Medical disclaimer · How we write our content