Acne Scars & Uneven Skin Texture
Skin, Scar Revision

Acne Scars & Uneven Skin Texture

What Are Acne Scars? The three main types of atrophic acne scars: Ice Pick, Boxcar, and Rolling Acne scars are permanent textural changes in the skin that occur when severe acne damages the deeper layers of skin (the dermis). Unlike temporary red or brown marks that fade over time, true acne scars represent a structural change—either a loss of tissue (atrophic scars) or an excess of tissue (hypertrophic/keloid scars).

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PRP London Clinic Medical Team

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Our team of GMC-registered medical professionals collaboratively review all medical content to ensure clinical accuracy and provide evidence-based information for patient education.

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Dr Mohamed Nafei

GMC-Registered Aesthetic Doctor

GMC: 7520509
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Dr Reem Nouri

GMC-Registered Aesthetic Doctor

GMC: 6149512
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Dr Severine Leonet

GMC-Registered Aesthetic Doctor

GMC: 7610771
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Dr Mohammad Akbar

Founder & Medical Director

GMC: 5206673

Last reviewed: January 20, 2026

What Are Acne Scars?

Cross-section diagram showing the three types of atrophic acne scars: ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars in skin layers
The three main types of atrophic acne scars: Ice Pick, Boxcar, and Rolling
Acne scars are permanent textural changes in the skin that occur when severe acne damages the deeper layers of skin (the dermis). Unlike temporary red or brown marks that fade over time, true acne scars represent a structural change—either a loss of tissue (atrophic scars) or an excess of tissue (hypertrophic/keloid scars). Atrophic scars, which appear as pits or depressions, are the most common type and include ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars.

What Causes Acne Scars?

Acne scars form when the skin's healing process is disrupted. During inflammatory acne (cysts, nodules, or severe papules), the infection damages collagen fibres in the dermis. As the body attempts to repair this damage, it may produce too little collagen (resulting in pitted scars) or too much (resulting in raised scars). Factors that increase scarring risk include:
  • Severe or cystic acne — The deeper the inflammation, the higher the scarring risk
  • Picking or squeezing spots — This forces bacteria deeper and increases tissue damage
  • Delayed treatment — Letting acne persist untreated increases cumulative damage
  • Genetics — Some people are simply more prone to scarring

Can Acne Scars Be Removed?

While it's important to have realistic expectations, the good news is that acne scars can be significantly improved with modern treatments. Complete removal of deep scars isn't always possible, but most patients achieve 50-80% improvement in their skin texture. The key is choosing the right treatment approach for your specific scar types.

The Foundation: Skincare & Sun Protection

All acne scar treatments must be accompanied by a strict skincare routine, especially rigorous sun protection (SPF 30+ daily, reapplied every 2 hours when outdoors). Without this foundation, treatment results will be compromised and post-inflammatory pigmentation can worsen.

Step 1: Control Active Acne First

Before treating scars, any active acne must be controlled. We can help with this. Using a combination of topical agents such as Adapalene, Tretinoin, Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and topical antibiotics, we stabilise the skin before beginning scar revision. Treating scars while acne is still active leads to new scarring and poor results.

Step 2: Scar Revision Treatments

Once acne is controlled, we target the scars themselves. Effective treatment is built on collagen remodelling—breaking down disorganised scar tissue and stimulating new, healthy collagen. This can be achieved through:
  • Energy-based devices (Sylfirm X, Tixel) — Deliver controlled thermal energy to remodel collagen
  • Subcision + Fillers (HA or PRF Bio Filler) — Break fibrous bands and volumise depressed scars
  • Chemical peels (TCA, PRX-T33) — Resurface and stimulate regeneration
  • Regenerative therapies (PRP Facial, Polynucleotides) — Use growth factors to accelerate healing
At PRP London Clinic, we specialise in combination therapy—layering multiple treatments for synergistic results that single treatments cannot achieve alone.

Who Experiences This Condition?

Common in

  • Those who experienced severe, inflammatory, or cystic acne
  • People who picked, squeezed, or popped their acne lesions
  • Individuals whose acne went untreated for extended periods
  • Those with a family history of acne scarring
  • People with darker skin tones (higher risk of PIH)
  • Individuals who experienced acne during adolescence when skin is still developing

Factors Affecting Severity

  • Depth and duration of inflammatory acne
  • How the acne was managed (picking increases scarring)
  • Genetic predisposition to scarring
  • Skin type and ethnicity
  • Age at which acne occurred
  • Whether acne was treated promptly or allowed to persist

Types of Acne Scars Explained

Understanding your scar type is crucial for choosing the right treatment. There are two main categories: atrophic scars (pitted/depressed) and hypertrophic scars (raised).

Atrophic (Pitted) Scars

Rolling Scars
Close-up view of rolling acne scars showing wave-like undulating skin surface caused by fibrous bands pulling downward
Rolling scars: Fibrous bands beneath the skin create a wave-like, undulating surface
Wide, shallow depressions with sloping, wave-like edges. These are caused by fibrous bands pulling the skin down. Treatment approach: Subcision with cannula + Filler (HA or PRF bio filler) to release bands and volumise, followed by Sylfirm X for collagen remodelling. Ice Pick Scars
Close-up macro view of ice pick acne scars showing deep, narrow, V-shaped puncture-like depressions in skin
Ice pick scars: Deep, narrow punctures extending into the dermis
Deep, narrow, V-shaped scars that extend into the dermis. They look like the skin has been punctured with a sharp instrument. Treatment approach: TCA Chemical Peel (PRX-T33) is particularly effective, combined with Sylfirm X RF Microneedling. Boxcar Scars
Close-up macro view of boxcar acne scars showing broad, rectangular depressions with sharp vertical edges
Boxcar scars: Broad craters with sharply defined, vertical edges
Broader depressions with sharply defined, vertical edges—like a box cut into the skin. These wider lesions often require more treatment. Treatment approach: Subcision + Filler (HA/PRF), TCA Peel (PRX-T33), and Sylfirm X. For the most severe cases, fractional ablative laser may be considered.

Hypertrophic & Keloid Scars

Unlike pitted scars, these are raised, firm scars caused by excess collagen production during healing. They're more common in certain skin types and body areas. Treatment approach:
  • Intralesional steroid injection — For larger raised lesions
  • Cryotherapy (Cryopen) — For smaller lesions
  • Silicone sheets — Used between treatments to flatten and soften

Why Won't My Acne Scars Go Away?

If you've tried every cream, serum, and home remedy but your acne scars refuse to budge, you're not alone—and there's a reason.

The answer lies in understanding what you're actually dealing with. Many people confuse acne marks (which do fade) with true acne scars (which don't).

Post-Inflammatory Marks (What WILL Fade)

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) — Brown or dark spots from excess melanin production. More common in darker skin tones. These fade naturally but treatment accelerates resolution.

Treatment approach:

  1. Topical pigment suppression — Alternating cycles of Hydroquinone, Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, and Tranexamic Acid
  2. Sylfirm X (Pigment-Specific Protocol) — After sufficient pigment suppression, RF targets residual melanin

Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE) — Red or pink marks left after acne heals. These are caused by damaged blood vessels, NOT structural damage.

Treatment approach:

  1. Topical agents — Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide to calm inflammation
  2. Pulsed Dye Laser / IPL — Targets damaged vessels directly
  3. Sylfirm X — For overall texture and quality recovery after complete resolution of erythema

What WON'T Fade — True Acne Scars

If you can feel a pit, depression, or texture change when you run your finger across your skin, that's a true scar. This represents permanent structural damage to the dermis where collagen has been lost or disorganised.

No amount of waiting, no topical product, and no home remedy will fix this. True scars require professional treatments that physically remodel the collagen structure beneath your skin. The good news? Modern combination treatments can achieve 50-80% improvement in scar depth and texture.

Acne Scars & London Living: Environmental Factors

Living in London presents unique challenges for acne-prone and scarred skin:

Hard Water London's notoriously hard water (high in calcium and magnesium) can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance, irritate sensitive post-acne skin, and leave mineral deposits that clog pores—potentially worsening breakouts and delaying scar healing.

Urban Pollution Airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) from traffic and industry penetrates the skin, triggering oxidative stress and inflammation. Research shows pollution can exacerbate post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), making dark spots more stubborn in city dwellers.

Central Heating & Air Conditioning London's indoor environments tend to be dry, which can compromise the skin barrier and slow the healing process for acne scars.

What This Means for Treatment These factors make professional intervention even more valuable for Londoners—home skincare alone often can't overcome the environmental burden on your skin.

Understanding Your Acne Scar Management Options

Different scar types respond to different treatments. Use this guide to understand your options.
Scar TypePossible TreatmentsWhy It Works
Rolling Scars
Wide, wave-like
Subcision + Filler (HA/PRF)
Sylfirm X
Breaks fibrous bands + volumises depressions + RF remodelling
Ice Pick Scars
Deep, narrow, V-shaped
TCA Peel (PRX-T33)
Sylfirm X
TCA triggers deep regeneration + RF remodels collagen
Boxcar Scars
Broad with sharp edges
Subcision + Filler (HA/PRF)
TCA Peel (PRX-T33)
Sylfirm X
Multi-modal: volumise + resurface + remodel
Hypertrophic/Keloid
Raised, firm scars
Intralesional Steroids
Cryotherapy (Cryopen)
Silicone Sheets
Flattens excess tissue + suppresses collagen overproduction
PIH
Brown/dark spots
Topical Pigment Suppression*
Sylfirm X (Pigment Protocol)
Suppress melanin production first, then RF targets residual pigment
PIE
Red/pink marks
Topicals (Azelaic Acid, Niacinamide)
Pulsed Dye Laser / IPL
Sylfirm X (after resolution)
Calm inflammation + target damaged vessels + texture recovery

*Topical pigment suppression: alternating cycles of Hydroquinone, Azelaic Acid, Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, and Tranexamic Acid.

Educational Information Only: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Treatment recommendations are made only after a face-to-face consultation and examination by a GMC-registered doctor, taking into account your medical history, scar severity, skin type, and individual goals.

Why Choose Us for Acne Scar Treatment in London

At PRP London Clinic, we take a different approach to acne scar treatment:

Combination Therapy Expertise We understand that a single treatment rarely delivers optimal results. Our strength lies in creating synergistic plans that layer multiple technologies—energy devices, biostimulators, and regenerative medicine—for results that exceed what any single treatment can achieve.

Advanced Sylfirm X Technology We offer Sylfirm X—the most advanced RF Microneedling device available—alongside Morpheus8, allowing us to match the right technology to your specific needs. Sylfirm X excels at texture and pigment with minimal downtime; Morpheus8 goes deeper for structural remodelling.

Doctor-Led Care Every treatment plan is designed and overseen by our Clinical Board, led by Dr. Mohamed Nafei (GMC: 7520509), whose background in Endocrinology and Aesthetic Medicine ensures a medically rigorous approach to skin health.

Honest Expectations We provide realistic assessments. We'll tell you what's achievable and create a plan designed for the best possible improvement in YOUR skin.

Treatment Process

Our acne scar treatment protocol follows Dr. Nafei's evidence-based approach:

Foundation: Skincare & Sun Protection All treatments must be accompanied by a strict skincare routine, especially SPF 30+ daily. Without this, results are compromised.

Phase 1: Active Acne Control Before treating scars, any active acne must be controlled using topical agents: Adapalene, Tretinoin, Azelaic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and topical antibiotics as needed.

Phase 2: Scar-Specific Treatment

  • Rolling Scars: Subcision with cannula + Filler (HA/PRF bio filler), followed by Sylfirm X
  • Ice Pick Scars: TCA Chemical Peel (PRX-T33) + Sylfirm X
  • Boxcar Scars: Subcision + Filler + TCA Peel + Sylfirm X (fractional ablative laser for severe cases)
  • Hypertrophic/Keloid: Intralesional steroids (large) / Cryotherapy (small) + silicone sheets

Phase 3: Post-Inflammatory Marks

  • PIH (brown spots): Topical pigment suppression cycle, then Sylfirm X pigment protocol
  • PIE (red marks): Topical Azelaic Acid + Niacinamide, Pulsed Dye Laser/IPL, then Sylfirm X after resolution

Diagnosis & Assessment

Acne scars are typically classified by their appearance and depth. A proper assessment involves identifying the scar types present (ice pick, boxcar, rolling, or mixed), grading their severity, and evaluating any associated concerns like PIE (redness) or PIH (pigmentation). The Goodman and Baron scale is commonly used to grade acne scars from Grade 1 (macular/flat marks only) to Grade 4 (severe scarring). Understanding your specific scar profile is essential for determining which treatment approaches will be most effective.

Prevention & Management

Lifestyle Tips

  • Treat active acne promptly — the longer inflammation persists, the higher the scarring risk
  • Never pick, squeeze, or pop pimples — this forces bacteria deeper and increases tissue damage
  • Seek professional help for severe or cystic acne before scarring occurs
  • Wear SPF 30+ daily — UV exposure worsens post-inflammatory marks and slows healing

Home Care

  • Use a consistent skincare routine with gentle, non-irritating products
  • Retinoids can help improve skin texture and promote cell turnover over time
  • Vitamin C serums may help brighten PIH (brown marks) gradually
  • Niacinamide can help improve overall skin tone and barrier function
  • Sunscreen is essential — sun exposure makes scars and marks more visible

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