McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Acne Scars
Acne can be a traumatic experience for the patient; however, the scarring that it leaves behind can be just as debilitating. While the appearance of acne scarring can be softened, no single treatment is completely effective, and it is important to understand this before you embark upon any acne scarring protocol. In order to achieve best results, we normally advise a combination of multiple treatment modalities, although even then, the results will not be perfect. Still, many patients find that strategic treatment does help to improve scars left by acne, as well as their general disposition.
At McKeown Medical, every acne scar treatment plan is tailored to your individual pattern of scarring and begins with an honest conversation about what treatment can realistically achieve.
Acne can be a traumatic experience for the patient; however, the scarring that it leaves behind can be just as debilitating. While the appearance of acne scarring can be softened, no single treatment is completely effective, and it is important to understand this before you embark upon any acne scarring protocol. In order to achieve best results, we normally advise a combination of multiple treatment modalities, although even then, the results will not be perfect. Still, many patients find that strategic treatment does help to improve scars left by acne, as well as their general disposition.
At McKeown Medical, every acne scar treatment plan is tailored to your individual pattern of scarring and begins with an honest conversation about what treatment can realistically achieve.
Acne Scars Treatment Overview
Scarring forms when active acne damages the deeper layers of the skin during the healing process. Many patients have lived with the textural change for years or decades, long after the original breakouts have settled. There are several different types of acne scar, including rolling, boxcar and ice pick scars. Identifying which type predominates is the first step in choosing the most appropriate treatment. Different scar types respond to different technologies, which is why combination treatment generally produces better results than relying on a single device alone. At McKeown Medical, the assessment of scar type comes before any treatment plan is recommended.
Choosing Acne Scars Treatment
No single device addresses every kind of scarring. Many patients come to us having already undergone treatment elsewhere without achieving the improvement they hoped for, and the conversation usually begins with what realistically can and cannot be achieved. Choosing the right combination depends on the depth of the scars, the texture of the surrounding skin, the patient’s lifestyle and tolerance for downtime, and the dominant scar pattern identified at consultation. A plan is then built that often draws on several modalities working together rather than one acting alone.
Acne Scarring: What We Can Address
Treatment focuses on the visible texture changes left behind by acne rather than active breakouts themselves. This includes atrophic scarring across all subtypes, surface irregularities that affect the overall texture of the skin, and residual pigmentation from the original inflammation. Where scars are deeper than resurfacing alone can address, additional techniques such as dermal filler placement beneath the scar or, in the case of ice pick scars, surgical punch excision may form part of the wider plan.
Benefits
Our combination acne treatments enable us to subtly improve the appearance of acne scarring, while promoting the production of new collagen and refining the skin’s texture. However, the result is never perfect, and this must always be taken into account before embarking upon a course of treatment.
Our Acne Scars Treatments
This is an example of a patient who underwent a single session of laser resurfacing, a course of BBL treatment and two sessions of scar filling.
This is an example of a patient who underwent a single session of laser resurfacing, a course of BBL treatment and two sessions of scar filling.
This is an example of a patient who underwent a single session of laser resurfacing, a course of BBL treatment and two sessions of scar filling.
This is an example of a patient who underwent a single session of laser resurfacing, a course of BBL treatment and two sessions of scar filling.
This is an example of a patient who underwent a single session of laser resurfacing, a course of BBL treatment and two sessions of scar filling.
This is an example of a patient who underwent a single session of laser resurfacing, a course of BBL treatment and two sessions of scar filling.
Treatment is tailored to the type and depth of scarring identified at consultation, drawing from a combination of laser, light, and energy-based devices to deliver the most meaningful improvement available. The right combination is decided together.
Laser skin resurfacing is often helpful for more superficial acne scarring and we use the Sciton ProFractional and Sciton Contour TRL devices, depending on the particular patients scarring pattern. The Contour TRL removes the entire surface of the skin, and we typically do this superficially over the most severely scarred areas. Next, we penetrate much more deeply, to the bottom layers of the skin, using the ProFractional device, which allows us to get deeper than we could go with full field resurfacing.
Full Laser Resurfacing
Full laser resurfacing removes the surface of the skin to allow new, smoother skin to form during healing. We use the Sciton Contour TRL device, typically over the most severely scarred areas, to address the textural change at its source.
ProFractional
ProFractional treatment penetrates much more deeply than full field resurfacing reaches, into the lower layers of the skin where the structural component of the scar lives. It is used for the deeper, more entrenched scarring patterns that surface-level treatment alone cannot address.
In Action
Acne scarring is impossible to remove entirely but is an issue in which we can usually achieve incremental improvements by combining multiple treatments approaches.
More options
An example of a patient treated with a single session of BBL for redness left over from acne and combination skin resurfacing to improve the texture of the skin after acne scarring.
An example of a patient treated with a single session of BBL for redness left over from acne and combination skin resurfacing to improve the texture of the skin after acne scarring.
An example of a patient treated with a single session of BBL for redness left over from acne and combination skin resurfacing to improve the texture of the skin after acne scarring.
An example of a patient treated with a single session of BBL for redness left over from acne and combination skin resurfacing to improve the texture of the skin after acne scarring.
If there are any pigments left over from the acne process, red or brown spots, we may also add some BBL treatment to the protocol. Where scars are deeper, we may also add some filler under the scar to help even the surface. Finally, in the deepest scar, known as Ice Pick scars, we may need to surgically excise the scar using a punch excision.
BBL® Treatment
BBL treatment uses broadband light to address the residual pigmentation that often accompanies the scarring, including red marks and brown spots left behind by the inflammation. It is added to the wider plan where colour, as well as texture, is contributing to the visible change.
HALO Laser Treatment
HALO is a hybrid fractional laser that combines two wavelengths in a single treatment, addressing both the surface and slightly deeper layers of the skin at the same time. It is suited to patients with milder patterns of acne scarring who want meaningful improvement with shorter downtime than full resurfacing requires.
Finding the right treatment, or combination of treatments, is the key to achieving the best improvement for each individual patient. Following laser resurfacing, patients can typically expect around seven days of downtime, although full healing and final results can take a number of months to evolve.
In Action
For the deepest scars, we may need to surgically excise the scar using punch excision. See this treatment in action.
Related Conditions
Related Concerns
Some skin concerns can overlap or develop alongside one another. Explore related conditions to better understand how different concerns may connect and when separate treatment approaches may be considered.
Are you ready to start your consultation?
Finding the right treatment for you is the most important factor in ensuring that you are on the correct path to achieve the results you desire. Our pre-consultation enquiry helps us to identify your needs and, ultimately, gets you on the right path to achieving your optimal results.
Patient Reviews
Hear from our patients about their experience at McKeown Medical.
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From the moment I walked through the door I was treated so well by every member of staff, all so friendly and helpful. I received Halo and BBL I was a little nervous but Dr Rhona completely put my mind at rest.
After my treatments I was taken good care of and Dr Darren came and reassured me too which was an added bonus. I returned a few weeks later for my checkup and again was treated so well, Dr Darren remembered me which was lovely.
I am delighted with the results of my treatment I feel my skin looks so much fresher and this in turn has lifted my self esteem which had previously been at a low point. I highly recommend both these treatments and would not hesitate to return to Dr Darren’s Clinic in the future. Thank you to all again.
A McKeown Medical patient December 2023
It’s just a lovely clinic. Everyone is very professional and it feels very high end, so you know you’re in safe hands, but they’re also friendly, welcoming and warm which really matters when visiting as it helps you feel at ease & relaxed.
The best place for the best advice and the best service. Friendly, knowledgeable and professional.
A McKeown Medical patient November 2023
The whole experience was fabulous. My phone consultation was very knowledgeable and friendly and everyone in the office was so welcoming. I’ll definitely be back.
A McKeown Medical patient April 2024
I saw Dr Rhona Cameron who I have seen before. She is very welcoming and has a lovely manner. She is easy to talk to and I am very pleased with the results.
A McKeown Medical patient November 2023
Made me feel really calm and relaxed and staff from reception and treatment room were so pleasant and very professional.
Dr Darren was amazing. Made me so comfortable and so so pleasant. Such a lovely guy! Highly recommend, absolutely delighted so far – although, as advised, a bit swollen! Thank you so much.
A McKeown Medical patient April 2024
From start to finish the team and Dr Darren were so welcoming and professional. Everything was explained clearly and the results are more than I could have hoped for.
A McKeown Medical patient April 2024
I am delighted with the subtle changes that have made such a difference to my face giving me so much more confidence. Dr Darren is one of the very best so I had total trust in what he was doing. Every member of staff make you feel at ease, they are all so lovely and friendly.
A McKeown Medical patient March 2024
Dr Rhona was lovely and put me at ease before and during the treatment. I was well informed of my options prior to treatment taking place and aftercare was explained thoroughly too. Will definitely be revisiting soon.
A McKeown Medical patient March 2024
Dr Rhona was particularly kind and sensitive to my needs and her care is very patient centred.
A McKeown Medical patient October 2023
From my very first contact with yourselves to the minute I left the attention to detail and client service was impeccable, every member of staff I came into contact with was so friendly and professional put me at ease so much. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with environments like this however this was furthest from my thoughts on arrival.
My consultation answered all concerns Dr Rhona explained what would give me best results as to what I was looking to achieve . As I was travelling from a far your team kindly got my booked in same day for my treatment so I didn’t have to make another journey. Upon my procedure which again every step of the way was explained my therapist was so attentive talked me through everything step as she was carrying out my treatment and explained all my after care.
I am currently in day 3 of the Halo treatment and everything is exactly what I was told to expect. I am now looking forward to seeing end result. Thank you to you and your team .
A McKeown Medical patient May 2024
Lovely friendly staff. Came out after treatment feeling so much better about my appearance. Dr Darren McKeown puts you at ease and gives you a wonderful boost. Thank you all.
A McKeown Medical patient March 2024
I have so much trust and faith in Dr Darren and I thank him dearly for all that he has done for me to improve my confidence.
A McKeown Medical patient September 2023
More about Acne Scars
Before, During, and After Acne Scars Treatments
Treatment is rarely a single appointment. It is a structured course planned in stages, where each session builds on the last and your skin’s response helps guide the next stage of treatment.
What To Expect Before
Before treatment begins, the skin is assessed in detail and the dominant scar type identified. Topical numbing cream is applied where lasers are involved. Where deeper passes are planned, local anaesthetic injections may also be used to keep you comfortable.
What To Expect During
During treatment, the laser device passes over the treated area in carefully planned passes. Most patients find the treatment much more comfortable than they expect once the skin has been numbed. Most sessions take between thirty and ninety minutes, depending on the area covered and the depth of treatment planned.
What To Expect After
After treatment, the skin typically feels warm and looks pink for several days, with mild swelling that peaks early and settles steadily. Most patients are comfortable returning to public-facing activities after around a week, though the underlying improvement continues to evolve over the following months.
Common Questions
Can acne scars be completely removed?
Some scars can. Individual ice pick scars are often best treated with surgical punch excision, which removes the original scar and replaces it with a much smaller, near-invisible line. Some shallow rolling scars may also become very difficult to see following laser resurfacing. Most patients, however, have a combination of scar types, so treatment is focused on achieving the best possible improvement rather than perfection. We’ll explain what you can realistically expect during your consultation.
Which anaesthetic is used?
Topical numbing cream is used prior to most laser treatments, in order to reduce discomfort, and can also help to keep the skin cool. Where we are planning to go particularly deep over scarred areas then we will often add some local anaesthetic injections to improve the patient comfort.
What's the downtime?
After skin resurfacing, most patients can expect to be out and about again after a week, although this does vary from patient to patient. Sometimes it can take longer for the skin to heal, particularly if you are unlucky enough to develop a complication like an infection after the procedure which requires additional treatment. Most discomfort from the procedure subsides within the first 24 hours, although the redness and swelling typically get worse for the first few days before slowly starting to improve.
When will I see results?
After your initial healing period, in around a week or so, you should notice some improvement in your scarring. The results however improve and evolve over a period of months as the collagen matures and your skin continues to heal below the surface. You will also see gradual incremental changes from each of the subsequent procedures in your recommended treatment plan.
Can BBL also help with active acne?
BBL is effective at managing active acne as well as addressing the marks and scarring it leaves behind. Where patients are still experiencing regular breakouts alongside visible scarring, we typically recommend stabilising the active acne first before beginning a scarring protocol. This gives the skin the best chance of responding well to resurfacing treatments. If you are dealing with ongoing breakouts, you can find out more about how we approach this on our active acne page.
How many treatment sessions will I need for acne scarring?
The number of sessions varies considerably depending on the type and severity of your scarring. Some patients see meaningful improvement after a small number of treatments; others require a longer course. The exact recommendation is explained at consultation, once the type of scarring has been assessed.
What is the difference between superficial and deep acne scarring?
Superficial scarring sits in the upper layers of the skin and tends to respond well to surface resurfacing alone. Deep scarring, including ice pick and severe boxcar scars, reaches into the lower dermis and usually requires additional techniques such as deeper laser passes, filler, or punch excision.
Will I need to pause treatment if my acne is still active?
Yes. Active acne needs to be brought under control before scarring treatment begins. Treating scars in the presence of ongoing breakouts risks new scarring forming during recovery and undermines the result of any work already done.
Is acne scar treatment painful?
Most laser sessions are comfortable for patients once topical numbing cream has been applied. Where deeper treatment is planned, local anaesthetic injections may be used to improve comfort. Discomfort during the procedure is typically brief, and most patients describe the recovery as more tolerable than expected.
Your Expert Team
Medical Director, Women's Health
Dr Rhona Cameron
Dr Rhona Cameron (GMC 6103281), Medical Director of Women’s Health at McKeown Medical and a University of Glasgow-trained GP, is a skilled injector extensively trained in Dr McKeown’s signature intuitive technique. Her treatments blend advanced facial optimisation with powerful, energy-based devices, such as lasers, BBL, and radio frequency, energising the appearance and enhancing skin health.
Founder & Medical Director
Dr Darren McKeown
Dr Darren McKeown (GMC 6128508) is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a Full Member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), the UK’s leading professional body for aesthetic medicine doctors, and a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, he genuinely cares about helping each patient feel their most confident, natural self.
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Medical Director, Women's Health
Dr Rhona Cameron
Dr Rhona Cameron (GMC 6103281), Medical Director of Women’s Health at McKeown Medical and a University of Glasgow-trained GP, is a skilled injector extensively trained in Dr McKeown’s signature intuitive technique. Her treatments blend advanced facial optimisation with powerful, energy-based devices, such as lasers, BBL, and radio frequency, energising the appearance and enhancing skin health.
Founder & Medical Director
Dr Darren McKeown
Dr Darren McKeown (GMC 6128508) is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a Full Member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), the UK’s leading professional body for aesthetic medicine doctors, and a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, he genuinely cares about helping each patient feel their most confident, natural self.
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