Can Acne Scar Treatment Be Done with Just One Laser Session?

Can acne scar treatment be done with just one laser session?

Seoul National University Branch

“Will acne scars improve if I only get one laser treatment?”

This is a question we hear very often during consultations for acne scar treatment. Because scars have been a concern for a long time, many people hope to see quick improvement from just one treatment.

Of course, some people may notice relatively quick changes, such as skin texture looking smoother or the skin tone appearing more even after treatment. However, acne scars are often not just a surface-level skin issue; they frequently involve changes in the skin’s internal structure as well. For that reason, in many cases, it is difficult to expect sufficient improvement from just one treatment.

Acne scars are related to damage to the skin structure

Acne scars are a little different from simple marks. In areas where inflammation was severe, the collagen structure within the skin breaks down, leaving the skin surface indented or uneven.

In particular, deep pitted scars such as ice pick scars or boxcar scars often involve damage that extends into the deeper layers of the skin. That is why it is necessary not only to treat the surface of the skin, but also to induce regeneration within the skin and help restore the damaged tissue.

Laser treatment is a process that induces skin regeneration

Laser treatment for acne scars works by giving the skin a certain level of stimulation to induce the regeneration of new collagen. In simple terms, it is a process of gradually improving skin texture and scars by using the skin’s own healing response.

However, collagen regeneration does not happen in a day or two. It takes time in line with the skin’s regeneration cycle, and the skin condition may change little by little as the regeneration process is repeated multiple times. That is why most scar treatments are performed repeatedly at regular intervals.

The treatment approach may also differ depending on the type of scar

Acne scars are not all the same, so the treatment method may also differ. Deep, narrow ice pick scars, broad boxcar scars, and rolling scars where the skin appears unevenly connected can each require a different approach.

That is why, in actual treatment, procedures such as subcision, regenerative treatments, and skin boosters are often performed together with lasers. A more customized approach based on the skin condition and scar depth can lead to more natural and stable improvement.

Acne scar treatment is less like a procedure that quickly removes scars in a short period of time and more like a process of slowly restoring the skin. So rather than expecting all scars to disappear with just one treatment, it is important to manage the skin consistently according to its condition.

Above all, the most important thing is to accurately analyze the current state of the scars and create a customized plan for which treatment is needed. Even for the same acne scars, the treatment direction can differ depending on skin type and scar form, so we recommend having a thorough consultation with a dermatologist and establishing a treatment plan that suits your skin.

Human Dermatology Seoul National University Branch

Acne scar treatment

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