Acne itself can be frustrating, but for many people the bigger problem is scars. These marks can stay long after active pimples have gone and they often affect self-confidence. At Clinderma, we see a lot of clients who feel they tried everything for their acne, only to be left with uneven skin afterwards. The good news is, understanding how scars form and what can be done about them makes the journey less overwhelming.
How do acne scars form?
Not every pimple leaves a scar. Most heal with no mark or just temporary pigmentation. Scars happen when there is deeper inflammation in the skin. Think of acne as a small wound—if the skin heals properly, no problem. But if the healing is disturbed or incomplete, it can leave behind permanent changes.
There are mainly two pathways:
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Loss of tissue: The skin doesn’t produce enough collagen while healing, leaving behind depressions like icepick, boxcar or rolling scars.
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Excess tissue: In some cases, the skin produces too much collagen, leading to thick raised scars (hypertrophic scars or keloids).
The type of scar depends on your skin type, acne severity, genetics and even how the treatment was undertaken.
Prevention is better than cure
The most effective way to avoid scars is to treat acne early and properly. Delaying medical help often increases the risk. Picking, squeezing or popping pimples is one of the fastest ways to worsen scarring. Protecting the skin from sun exposure also helps, as UV rays can darken marks and slow healing.
Treatment options
There is no one particular solution for acne scars. Treatment usually involves a mix of approaches, chosen based on scar type, depth and skin tone.
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Topical creams: Ingredients like retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids can smoothen texture and help mild scars over time.
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Chemical peels: These remove the top damaged layers and stimulate new skin growth.
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Microneedling and RF microneedling (MNRF): Tiny controlled injuries that trigger collagen production for smoother skin.
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Laser treatments: Fractional lasers are commonly used for deeper scars.
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Fillers or subcision: For depressed scars, fillers add volume and subcision breaks the scar tissue pulling the skin down.
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Surgery or steroid injections: Sometimes needed for resistant or raised scars.
Most people need multiple sessions and a combination of techniques for best results.
Realistic expectations
One important thing to know: acne scars can almost always be improved, but complete removal is rare. A 50–70% improvement is considered excellent. The skin becomes smoother, makeup sits better and scars are less noticeable, but they don’t usually disappear 100%.
Healing also takes time. Results build gradually over months. Commitment and patience matter as much as the treatment itself.
The Clinderma approach
We believe in setting honest expectations from the beginning. Every treatment plan is customized after examining your skin, scar type and lifestyle. Along with procedures, we guide you on skincare routines and habits that prevent new acne and scars.
Acne scars can be prevented by holistic, early and correct treatment plans at Clinderma. It’s better to prevent or treat it as early as possible because once a scar, always a scar!
