Acne Scars: What Works, What Doesn't, and How to Treat Them

When acne heals, it doesn't always leave behind clean skin. Acne scars, permanent textural changes left after severe acne inflammation damages the skin’s collagen. Also known as post-acne scarring, they’re not just cosmetic—they can affect confidence, skin texture, and even how products absorb into your skin. Unlike temporary red or brown marks, which fade over months, true scars are structural. They happen when your skin tries to repair itself after deep breakouts, but gets the recipe wrong—either making too much collagen (raised scars) or not enough (pitted scars).

Chemical peels, controlled acid treatments that remove damaged outer skin layers to stimulate renewal are one of the most common ways to improve surface texture. They work best for shallow scars and discoloration. For deeper pits, laser resurfacing, precision light therapy that vaporizes damaged tissue and triggers new collagen growth is often the go-to. But neither works miracles without proper aftercare. Sun exposure can darken scars, and picking at active acne guarantees more damage. You can’t treat scars while your skin is still breaking out—first, you need to get the acne under control.

Topical treatments like retinoids, vitamin C, and silicone gels help, but they’re slow. They won’t erase deep icepick scars, but they can smooth out mild texture and fade redness over time. What most people don’t realize is that acne scars respond differently based on skin tone. Darker skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation, which can look worse than the scar itself. Lighter skin often shows more textural changes. That’s why one-size-fits-all advice fails. The right treatment depends on scar type, your skin, and how long you’ve had them.

There’s no magic cream that erases scars overnight. But there are proven paths—some medical, some at-home, some a mix. What you’ll find in the articles below are real breakdowns of what actually works: which lasers cut through stubborn scars, which topical ingredients make a measurable difference, how to avoid treatments that make things worse, and why some people see results in weeks while others need months. No fluff. No hype. Just what the science and clinical experience show.