True acne scars
Depressed or raised changes in the structure of the skin. These usually require collagen remodeling, resurfacing or a procedure selected for the specific scar type.
What We Treat
Acne Scars & Uneven Skin Texture
Treatment planning for Delray Beach, Boca Raton and nearby Palm Beach County
Acne can leave behind depressed scars, rough texture, enlarged-looking pores, redness and dark marks. Those concerns are not interchangeable. We first determine whether the main issue is true scarring, residual color, active acne or a combination before discussing SkinPen microneedling, fractional laser or another approach.
The goal is improvement—not perfectly poreless or scar-free skin. Deep ice-pick scars, tethered rolling scars and raised scars may require procedures outside the services offered at Dash or a referral to a dermatologist or specialist.
Scar-type assessment
SkinPen and fractional options
Realistic series planning
The scar type changes the plan.
Rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars vary in shape and depth. A treatment that helps one pattern may do less for another.
Not Every Mark Is a Scar
Texture, redness and pigmentation should be separated before treatment
Acne may leave more than one visible change. Treating the wrong category can lead to disappointment even when the procedure itself was performed correctly.
Red or brown post-acne marks
Flat discoloration can remain after a breakout clears. It may respond to pigment- or redness-focused care rather than the same treatment used for a depressed scar.
General uneven texture and pores
Roughness, enlarged-looking pores and mild surface irregularity can overlap with scarring but may not require the same intensity as deeper acne scars.
Active acne should usually be controlled before aggressively treating scars.
Otherwise, new breakouts may continue creating inflammation and additional scarring.
Common Depressed Scar Patterns
Rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars do not respond equally
Many people have a mixed pattern. The purpose of identifying the type is not to label the skin— it is to choose the most realistic treatment path.
Rolling scars
Broad, shallow depressions can create a wave-like or uneven surface. Some rolling scars are tethered beneath the skin and may need a procedure beyond microneedling or surface resurfacing alone.
Boxcar scars
Wider depressions with more defined edges. Shallower boxcar scars may respond differently from deeper scars, so the treatment depth and series should match the visible structure.
Ice-pick scars
Narrow, deeper scars that extend below the surface. Because of their depth, they may respond less to broad resurfacing or microneedling and may need dermatologist-performed focal procedures.
How We Choose a Starting Point
We treat the dominant problem—not the label alone
A client with mild texture and large-looking pores may need a different plan from someone with deep mixed acne scars or ongoing inflammatory acne.
Determine whether acne is still active
We look for ongoing breakouts, inflamed lesions, picking and irritation. Scar treatment is easier to plan once new acne is reasonably controlled.
Separate texture from color
Depressions, roughness, redness and brown marks may coexist. One procedure may not address all of them equally.
Match intensity to the goal
We compare the likely benefit, downtime and series length of SkinPen, fractional laser or a staged combination before recommending a starting point.
Realistic Expectations
Improvement is gradual and depends heavily on scar type
Collagen remodeling takes time. The best endpoint is usually smoother-looking, less noticeable scarring—not perfectly flat or poreless skin.
What treatment may improve
- Selected shallow or moderate depressed acne scars
- Overall skin texture and surface smoothness
- The appearance of enlarged pores
- The contrast created by uneven scar edges
- Texture when treatment is completed as a series
What treatment does not guarantee
- Complete removal of every scar
- Equal improvement across rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars
- Control of active acne without separate acne care
- Correction of every red or brown post-acne mark
- One-session results for established scarring
When Acne Is Still Active
Preventing new scars may be more important than treating old ones first
Ongoing cysts, nodules, inflammation or picking can continue damaging the skin. Active acne and acne scarring often need separate but coordinated plans.
Scar treatment does not replace acne control
SkinPen and fractional resurfacing are not treatments for every active breakout. When inflammation is significant, acne should be stabilized before or alongside scar treatment.
Aerolase NeoClear, selected peels, professional skin care or medical acne treatment may be considered depending on the type and severity of active acne.
- Do not pick or squeeze Manipulating inflamed lesions can increase tissue damage and the risk of scarring.
- Tell us about prescription products Retinoids, antibiotics and isotretinoin history may affect treatment timing and preparation.
- Pause irritating active products when instructed You will receive preparation instructions before SkinPen or resurfacing treatment.
- Consider an acne-first plan Visit our Acne Treatment page when active breakouts are the main concern.
- Expect more than one treatment category Texture, active acne and post-acne color may need separate steps.
When Another Specialist May Be Needed
Some scars need more than microneedling or surface resurfacing
Deep ice-pick scars, strongly tethered rolling scars and raised or keloid-like scars may respond poorly to the treatments offered at Dash alone. They may require focal chemical reconstruction, subcision, surgical techniques, injections or another dermatologist-led procedure.
We would rather explain that limitation than sell a series that is unlikely to match the scar. A combination or referral can be the more appropriate recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Acne scars, texture and treatment planning
Are dark acne marks the same as acne scars?
No. Flat red or brown marks are color changes left after inflammation and are not the same as a structural depression or raised scar. A person can have both, but they may require different treatment categories.
Is SkinPen or fractional laser better for acne scars?
Neither is automatically better. SkinPen offers a non-light-based collagen-induction treatment, while fractional laser can provide stronger resurfacing with a different downtime and risk profile. Scar type, skin tone, goals and acceptable recovery guide the recommendation.
How many treatments will I need?
Established acne scars commonly require a series. The number depends on scar type and depth, treatment selected, skin response and how much improvement is realistic. We do not promise a fixed number before evaluating the skin.
Can acne scars be completely removed?
Complete removal cannot be promised. The goal is to make the scars less noticeable by improving selected aspects of depth, texture and contrast.
Can darker skin tones be treated?
Many acne-scar treatments can be performed across a range of skin tones, but the device, settings, treatment depth and risk of temporary or persistent pigment change require careful selection.
Should active acne be treated before scars?
Often, yes. New inflammatory breakouts can continue creating marks and scars. The most practical plan may begin with acne control and then add scar treatment once the skin is more stable.
Does microneedling make pores smaller?
Pores do not permanently open and close, but collagen-remodeling treatment may make enlarged pores and uneven texture look less noticeable. Results vary and usually develop gradually over a series.
Should I book SkinPen or request a consultation?
Request a consultation when scarring is deep, mixed, accompanied by active acne or difficult to separate from redness and pigmentation. The treatment should be chosen after the scar pattern is reviewed.
Start With the Scar Pattern
Let us determine which part of the texture can realistically improve
Tell us whether acne is still active, how long the scars have been present, what treatments you have tried and how much downtime you can manage.
Acne scars & texture
Start with a scar review.
Request Consult