If acne has left pitted scars, which treatment should you get?
For pitted acne scars, scar laser, erbium Fraxel, Juvelook or MTS baby injection is chosen or combined according to scar depth and tethering. Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic in Myeongji-dong, Busan summarizes scar types, number of sessions, study figures and published fees.
Quick answer
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic checks the depth and tethering of pitted acne scars and chooses or combines scar laser (UltraPulse Dual CO₂), erbium Fraxel, Juvelook and MTS baby injection. Flat red or brown marks are usually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation rather than scars, so they are assessed separately from pitted scars. Scar treatment usually starts once acne is under control, and changes are evaluated over several sessions rather than one.
Why it matters now
Acne scars differ in shape, such as narrow and deep ice pick scars, round boxcar scars and wide, shallow rolling scars, and one person often has several types. The American Academy of Dermatology also explains that ice pick scars need different treatment from rolling scars, so the scar type and any color marks should be distinguished first to keep treatment on track.
What type are my acne scars, and which treatment is considered?
The American Academy of Dermatology divides pitted acne scars into narrow but deep ice pick scars, round or oval boxcar scars, and wide, shallow rolling scars that look wavy. Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic decides the treatment by checking depth, tethering, surface irregularity, pulling of surrounding tissue and color change along with the scar type.
| If this is your situation | Option considered | Evidence and limits |
|---|---|---|
| Deeply pitted or tethered scars pulled beneath the skin | Option consideredScar laser (UltraPulse Dual CO₂) pinhole mode | Evidence and limitsDelivers concentrated energy to deeply tethered scar tissue. The goal is to reduce depth and pulling rather than erase the mark. |
| Bumpy scars with broadly rough texture | Option consideredScar laser fractional mode or erbium Fraxel | Evidence and limitsInduces skin regeneration to refine texture. Repeated sessions are often needed. |
| Shallow pitting together with enlarged pores and rough texture | Option consideredJuvelook or MTS baby injection | Evidence and limitsThe clinic describes these as possibly helpful for depressed areas and acne scars. Deep scars are reviewed together with laser. |
| Flat red or brown marks | Option consideredAssessed separately from pitted-scar treatment | Evidence and limitsUsually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation rather than scarring, and often fades over time. |
| Raised scars | Option consideredFirst distinguish hypertrophic scar or keloid | Evidence and limitsThese form from excess collagen and need different treatment from pitted scars. |
| New acne keeps appearing | Option consideredTreat the acne first | Evidence and limitsTo prevent new scars, scar treatment usually begins after acne is under control. |
How do scar laser, Fraxel, Juvelook and MTS differ?
Scar laser and erbium Fraxel induce skin regeneration with laser heat, Juvelook injects ingredients into the dermis, and MTS creates micro-channels with fine needles. The scar laser differs in that its pinhole mode can target deeply tethered tissue separately.
Scar laser (UltraPulse Dual CO₂)
A 10,600nm fractional CO₂ laser: fractional mode induces skin regeneration, and pinhole mode delivers concentrated energy to deep tethered tissue.
Erbium Fraxel
A fractional Er:YAG laser that delivers fine dot-pattern heat to the dermis to induce regeneration.
Juvelook
A skin booster that injects PDLLA and hyaluronic acid into the dermis; PDLLA breaks down gradually and promotes an environment for collagen production.
MTS Baby Injection
Fine needles create micro-channels to support the skin's recovery process, and a baby injection of ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamins, amino acids and PN assists delivery.
How many sessions of acne scar treatment are needed?
Acne scars are usually treated over several sessions rather than once. Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic states that it may recommend erbium Fraxel generally every 4 weeks for 3 to 5 or more sessions, and Juvelook several times at 3 to 4 week intervals.
Scar laser
Repeated treatment and follow-up are often needed, and intensity and interval are adjusted for skin type and available recovery time.
Erbium Fraxel
Generally every 4 weeks; 3 to 5 or more sessions may be recommended.
Juvelook
Several sessions are recommended at 3 to 4 week intervals.
MTS Baby Injection
The ingredient mix and number of sessions are explained after checking the skin.
How is it done at Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic, and what does it cost?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic sets the method and interval after checking scar depth, tethering, surface irregularity, pulling of surrounding tissue and color change. Erbium Fraxel and Juvelook use numbing cream; for erbium Fraxel, the cream is applied for about 30 minutes before the laser, followed by cooling and soothing care.
The published non-covered fee list shows scar laser with regenerative (PN) injection at KRW 100,000 per cm, Fraxel at KRW 220,000, Juvelook Skin 4cc at KRW 440,000 per session and Juvelook Volume 4cc at KRW 495,000 per session, and MTS baby injection at KRW 88,000 (checked October 20, 2026). The total cost for combined treatments and number of sessions is confirmed at consultation, and non-covered fees may change.
What do the numbers say about the actual effects and side effects of acne scar treatment?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic has no published outcome or side-effect statistics for acne scar treatment. In meta-analyses of atrophic acne scar studies, CO₂ fractional laser had a higher improvement rate than erbium, and microneedling showed better objective scar improvement than comparison treatments.
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic data
Acne scar treatment outcome and side-effect statistics: no published data
Liu et al., 2024 meta-analysis (8 studies, 418 patients)
CO₂ fractional laser had a higher effective rate than Er:YAG fractional laser (OR 1.81) and shorter downtime. However, pain scores were higher and redness lasted longer, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Shen et al., 2022 meta-analysis (12 randomized controlled trials, 414 participants)
Microneedling without radiofrequency showed significantly better objective scar improvement than comparison treatments, while subjective satisfaction mostly did not differ. No secondary scarring or infection was reported.
Juvelook data
Figures for treating acne scars with Juvelook: no published data confirmed
Points to note when reading the figures
Device settings and scar conditions differ between studies, so the results cannot be applied directly, and the microneedling studies covered microneedling alone without baby-injection ingredients.
Which symptoms after acne scar treatment mean you should see a doctor right away?
Redness, warmth, dryness and flaking after laser, erythema, tightness, pinpoint bleeding and swelling after MTS, and redness, swelling and small bumps after Juvelook can appear temporarily. Seek care right away if a reaction lasts more than a week or keeps worsening, or if blisters, oozing or severe pain develop.
Common reactions
Redness, warmth, dryness, flaking, erythema, tightness, pinpoint bleeding, swelling, small bumps
Recovery care
Avoid strong sunlight, do not pick off scabs, and reduce rubbing or scratching.
Signs that need prompt care
Reactions lasting more than a week or worsening, blisters, oozing, severe pain
Treatment methods, number of sessions and recovery vary with scar depth, tethering and skin type, so the medical team sets the plan after examination.
Frequently asked questions
Difference between acne marks and acne scars
Flat red or brown marks left after acne settles are usually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, not scars, and often fade over time. If the skin is pitted or raised with an uneven contour, it is treated as a scar and treatment is reviewed according to its type.
Can I get scar treatment while I still have acne?
New breakouts can leave new scars, so the American Academy of Dermatology notes that scar treatment typically begins after acne is under control. Have your current acne and scars examined together and decide the order of treatment.
Can Fraxel and Juvelook be combined for acne scars?
Acne scars are sometimes treated with two or more methods together to improve results. Whether to combine them, the order, interval and total cost are decided at consultation after checking scar depth and skin condition.
About the clinic behind this article
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic is a board-certified plastic surgery clinic in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan. Dr. Hyungseok Noh, board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director, provides care.
- Address
- Units 302–305, Building 1, 3 Myeongji-gukje 2-ro 28beon-gil, Gangseo-gu, Busan
- Main Line
- 051-711-7991
- Clinic Hours
- Weekdays AM 10:00 ~ PM 07:30Saturday AM 10:00 ~ PM 03:00Sundays & Public Holidays Closed
- Treatment guide
- View the scar treatment page
- Booking
- Naver Booking
REFERENCES
References
This article uses the clinic’s published information together with authoritative medical sources.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicScar treatment guide
Supports: UltraPulse Dual CO₂ laser wavelength, fractional and pinhole modes, scar assessment items, repeated treatment and recovery precautions
It can be used for deeply pitted scars, old acne scars, and scars left after surgery or injury.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicErbium Fraxel guide
Supports: Er:YAG fractional principle, numbing cream, treatment interval and recommended sessions, post-treatment reactions
Generally, 3 to 5 or more repeated sessions at 4-week intervals may be recommended.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicJuvelook guide
Supports: PDLLA and hyaluronic acid ingredients, treatment cycle and anesthesia, recovery reactions
Several sessions at 3 to 4 week intervals are recommended, and numbing cream is used. Treatment time depends on the area treated.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicMTS baby injection guide
Supports: MTS micro-channels and baby-injection ingredients, acne scar care, temporary reactions and when care is needed
It can help care for acne scars, pores, skin texture and areas with reduced elasticity.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicNon-covered fee information
Supports: Published fees for scar laser with regenerative (PN) injection, Fraxel, Juvelook and MTS baby injection
Scar laser + regenerative (PN) injection KRW 100,000 per cm, Fraxel KRW 220,000, MTS baby injection KRW 88,000
- American Academy of DermatologyAcne scars: Signs and symptoms
Supports: Distinguishing ice pick, rolling, boxcar and raised scars, and how they differ from flat color marks
These scars cause a round or oval-shaped depression in the skin. They are wider than ice pick scars but not as wide as rolling scars.
- American Academy of DermatologyAcne scars: Overview
Supports: Flat color marks are usually post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, not scars
If you see a flat spot of color on your skin when acne clears, this usually isn’t an acne scar.
- American Academy of DermatologyAcne scars: Consultation and treatment
Supports: Starting scar treatment after acne is controlled, different treatment by scar type, and combining treatments
Treatment for scars typically begins after you have acne under control and are applying acne medication to prevent new breakouts.
- PubMedEfficacy and safety of CO2 fractional laser versus Er:YAG fractional laser in the treatment of atrophic acne scar: A meta-analysis and systematic review
Liu F, Zhou Q, Tao M, Shu L, Cao Y. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024;23(9):2768-2778. doi:10.1111/jocd.16348. PMID: 38733085
Supports: Comparison of effective rate, downtime, pain, redness and pigmentation between CO₂ and Er:YAG fractional lasers for atrophic acne scars (8 studies, 418 patients)
When it comes to treating atrophic acne scars, CO2 fractional laser demonstrates superior efficacy and leads to shorter downtime.
- PubMedMicroneedling Monotherapy for Acne Scar: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Shen YC, Chiu WK, Kang YN, Chen C. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2022;46(4):1913-1922. doi:10.1007/s00266-022-02845-3. PMID: 35426044
Supports: Objective improvement and adverse events of microneedling monotherapy for acne scars (12 randomized controlled trials, 414 participants)
Microneedling without radiofrequency achieved superior results in terms of scar improvement.
Published 2026.10.20Last updated 2026.10.20