Acne Scarring Explained

Acne itself can settle down, but the marks it leaves behind often stick around long after the breakouts have cleared. It's one of the more common things clients bring up in a first consultation at The Aesthetic Studio: "my acne is mostly under control now, but I'm left with scarring and I don't know what actually helps."

It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends on what kind of scarring you actually have. Acne scarring isn't one single thing, and treating it as if it were is one of the more common reasons people feel like they've "tried everything" without much change.

Two different problems that get called "scarring"

Broadly, acne leaves two different kinds of marks, and they respond to different treatments.

The first is textural scarring, where the skin's surface has genuinely changed shape. This includes ice pick scars (narrow, deep, and pitted), boxcar scars (broader with more defined edges), and rolling scars (shallow depressions that give the skin an uneven, wave-like texture). These form when inflammation damages the collagen structure supporting the skin, and no amount of surface skincare will fully smooth them out, because the change sits below the surface.[

The second is post-acne marks, which are flat discolouration left behind after a pimple heals — usually red, pink, or brown rather than textured. These aren't true scars in the structural sense. They're a lingering pigment or vascular response, and they tend to fade with time and the right treatment, though that can take longer than most people expect.

Knowing which one (or which combination) you're dealing with matters, because a treatment plan built for textural scarring won't necessarily do much for discolouration, and vice versa.

What treatment might involve

For textural scarring, treatments generally aim to encourage the skin to rebuild healthier collagen and smooth the surface over time. Options used at The Aesthetic Studio include CO2 laser resurfacing, which works on the skin in a more targeted, structural way, and skin needling with the SkinPen device, which creates controlled micro-injury to prompt the skin's own repair process. DMK Enzyme Therapy, often paired with retinol-based products, is another option some clients use as part of a broader plan, particularly to support skin function between more intensive treatments. Laser Genesis is also used, and can suit clients looking for a gentler, lower-downtime approach.

For post-acne marks, the focus shifts toward reducing redness and evening out pigment. Laser Genesis and chemical peels are both commonly used here, sometimes alongside CO2 laser depending on the individual case.

In both cases, a proper assessment matters more than the specific device or treatment name. The same tool applied to the wrong type of scarring, or without addressing the skin's overall condition first, tends to disappoint. That's why treatment plans at the studio start with a consultation to work out exactly what's going on before recommending a course of action.

Home care has a role too

While in-clinic treatments do most of the heavy lifting for textural change, a supportive home-care routine can help maintain results and support the skin between appointments. Ingredients like vitamin B, retinol derivatives, and zinc-based formulations are commonly recommended, and products such as those in the Synergie Skin range (https://www.theaestheticstudiobendigo.com.au/synergie-skin-care) are used by many clients alongside their treatment plan. Your therapist can talk you through what actually suits your skin rather than guessing from a product label.

Why it's worth addressing sooner rather than later

Acne scarring doesn't tend to resolve on its own, and untreated inflammation from ongoing breakouts can add to existing scarring over time. Two simple habits make a real difference alongside any clinical treatment: avoiding picking or squeezing active breakouts, and wearing SPF daily, since UV exposure can make both textural scarring and pigment marks more noticeable and slower to fade.

None of this means results happen overnight. Textural scarring in particular usually needs a course of treatments spaced over months, not a single visit, and outcomes vary from person to person depending on scar type, skin type, and how the skin responds. A clinician can give you a realistic sense of timeframes once they've actually seen your skin.

Getting a proper assessment

If you've been dealing with acne scarring and aren't sure what would actually help, the first useful step is simply getting it properly assessed rather than guessing your way through products or treatments that may not be suited to your scar type. You can read more about the approach to acne scarring, including the treatments mentioned here, on our acne scarring page: https://www.theaestheticstudiobendigo.com.au/acnescarring-bendigo

This article is general information only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a qualified clinician. Individual results and recommendations vary from person to person, so please speak with our team about what's appropriate for your skin.