The best facial for acne scars depends on the type of scarring you have. Shallow, discolored scars respond well to chemical peels and microneedling, while deeper pitted scars typically need laser resurfacing or a combination approach. No single treatment works universally, so understanding your specific scar type is the first step toward choosing the right procedure.
Why Your Scar Type Matters
Acne scars fall into two broad categories: raised and depressed. Raised scars, including hypertrophic scars and keloids, form when your body overproduces collagen during healing. Depressed (atrophic) scars are far more common and happen when healing destroys tissue rather than building it up. These depressed scars come in three distinct shapes, and each responds differently to treatment.
Ice pick scars are narrow, deep, V-shaped pits that extend into the lower layers of skin. They’re the hardest to treat with surface-level facials because the damage sits so deep. Boxcar scars are wider depressions with sharp, defined edges, almost like a small crater. Rolling scars have a sloping, wave-like appearance caused by fibrous bands pulling the skin surface downward. Rolling scars are typically 4 mm or wider across and sit in the upper layers of the dermis, making them more accessible to most treatments.
Most people have a mix of all three types. A dermatologist or aesthetician can map your scars and recommend the approach that matches the depth and shape of what you’re working with.
Chemical Peels for Mild to Moderate Scars
Chemical peels use concentrated acids to remove damaged skin layers, prompting your body to rebuild with smoother, more even tissue. For acne scars specifically, medium-depth peels are the standard. These penetrate past the surface into the upper dermis, where most shallow scarring lives.
The two most commonly used acids are trichloroacetic acid (TCA) at 30% concentration and glycolic acid at 70%. Both qualify as medium-depth peels. In a split-face study comparing the two side by side, both proved effective for mild to moderate atrophic scars. TCA at 30% is considered the more potent option, while 70% glycolic acid works as a solid alternative for people who don’t tolerate TCA well or want less downtime. Your provider applies the solution, monitors your skin’s reaction in real time, and neutralizes or removes the acid once it reaches the target depth.
Expect redness and peeling for several days afterward. Chemical peels work best on shallow boxcar and rolling scars. They won’t reach deep ice pick scars. A series of treatments spaced weeks apart delivers better results than a single session. At roughly $400 per session, peels are among the most affordable professional options.
Microneedling: Collagen Rebuilding From Within
Microneedling uses a device covered in fine needles to create thousands of tiny punctures in the skin. These micro-injuries trigger your body’s wound-healing response without destroying the surface layer. The real benefit happens underneath: your skin releases growth factors, activates the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin, and even forms new blood vessels that improve nutrient delivery to the treated area.
Over weeks and months, this collagen remodeling fills in depressed scars and improves overall skin texture. Clinical evidence shows microneedling reduces acne scar depth and improves texture, with results building progressively after each session. Most treatment plans involve three to five sessions spaced four to six weeks apart.
Microneedling also creates tiny channels that allow topical serums to penetrate far deeper than they normally would. Many providers apply vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or growth factor serums immediately after needling to amplify results. Sessions start around $300 each, making this a mid-range option. Downtime is minimal, usually a day or two of redness that looks like a mild sunburn.
Laser Resurfacing for Deeper Scars
Laser treatments are the most powerful facial option for acne scars, particularly for moderate to severe scarring that peels and microneedling can’t fully address. There are two main categories: ablative and non-ablative.
Ablative fractional lasers (most commonly CO2 lasers) vaporize tiny columns of damaged tissue and create zones of controlled injury in the surrounding skin. This forces aggressive collagen remodeling. In clinical studies, 62% of patients treated with fractional CO2 laser achieved more than 50% improvement in their scars. Non-ablative lasers like erbium glass heat tissue beneath the surface without removing it. About 45% of patients treated with erbium glass reached that same 50% improvement threshold. Both produced high patient satisfaction scores with no statistically significant difference in how happy people were with their results.
The trade-off is downtime. CO2 laser causes notably more crusting, scaling, and redness than its non-ablative counterpart. Expect two to three days of swelling and redness followed by several more days of peeling with non-ablative fractional lasers. Ablative lasers can mean a week or more of visible recovery. Most patients need three to five sessions spaced four to six weeks apart for optimal results.
Cost reflects this intensity. Non-ablative laser sessions average around $1,445, while ablative treatments average $2,509. A full series can run $4,000 to $12,000 or more depending on the extent of scarring and where you live.
Radiofrequency for Darker Skin Tones
If you have a medium to dark skin tone, certain lasers carry a real risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, where the treatment itself leaves dark spots that can take months to fade. Ablative lasers are the biggest offenders here because they interact with melanin in the skin.
Fractional radiofrequency (FRF) devices offer a workaround. Instead of using light energy, they deliver heat through tiny needles directly into the dermis. Because radiofrequency energy isn’t absorbed by melanin the way laser light is, the risk of discoloration drops significantly. Studies show FRF achieves a similar level of acne scar reduction as ablative lasers while producing fewer side effects in darker skin. Recovery is also generally shorter.
When Surface Treatments Aren’t Enough
Microdermabrasion, the gentlest option on the menu, only exfoliates the outermost layer of dead skin cells. It can improve skin brightness and very superficial discoloration, but it doesn’t reach the dermal layer where acne scarring actually lives. If your scars are visible indentations rather than just flat discoloration, microdermabrasion won’t meaningfully change them.
For deep rolling scars specifically, a procedure called subcision may be recommended before or alongside other facials. Rolling scars look wavy because fibrous bands beneath the skin are physically pulling the surface downward. Subcision involves inserting a small instrument under the skin to sever those tethering bands. This releases the skin so it can sit flat again. Research shows subcision improves all three types of atrophic scars, and clinicians increasingly use it as a first step before layering on laser or microneedling treatments. Without releasing those tethers first, surface treatments often can’t fully lift a rolling scar.
Matching Treatment to Your Scars
For mild, shallow scarring or post-acne discoloration, a series of chemical peels or microneedling sessions offers a good balance of results, affordability, and minimal downtime. If your scars are moderate with a mix of boxcar and rolling types, microneedling or non-ablative laser resurfacing will reach deeper while keeping recovery manageable.
Severe or deep scarring, particularly ice pick scars, generally requires ablative laser resurfacing, often combined with subcision for any rolling component. Many dermatologists take a combination approach, using subcision to release tethered scars, laser or radiofrequency to remodel collagen, and peels or microneedling for surface refinement.
Regardless of which treatment you choose, results build over months as new collagen forms. Plan for three to five sessions minimum, spaced a month or more apart, with visible improvement continuing for up to six months after your final treatment. Consistent sun protection between sessions is essential, as UV exposure can darken healing skin and undermine your results.