Treating every leftover mark from acne as the same kind of scar throws the plan off. A flat mark with only discoloration and a scar where tissue has actually sunk in differ in both cause and treatment. Telling which type you have is the first step.
Flat pigment marks
These feel smooth with no dip when you touch them, but look red or brown. Red marks are a vascular response left by inflammation; brown marks are deposited melanin. Both tend to fade over time, but brown marks darken with UV exposure.
- Red marks: a vascular-targeting laser speeds up the calming process
- Brown marks: pigment-breaking lasers or brightening care address them
Three kinds of pitted scars
Scars where the dermis is damaged and tissue has genuinely sunk are sorted by shape. Icepick scars are narrow and deep, like a puncture. Rolling scars have a wide opening and gentle edges that ripple like a wave. Boxcar scars have sharp edges and a flat base, sunken in a square shape. It is common to find all three mixed across one face.
Treating pitted scars
Narrow, deep icepick scars cannot be reached by resurfacing the surface alone, so they need approaches that stimulate deeper layers or scar excision. Rolling scars combine procedures that release the tethered fibers pulling the base down with lasers that build collagen. Boxcar scars are filled in stages with lasers that refine the edges and lift the base. To compare which laser suits you, see the breakdown of laser types.
Sessions and expectations
Pitted scars do not fill in after one or two visits. They usually run across several sessions spaced months apart, with the depth easing over repeated rounds rather than flattening completely at once. Reducing the unevenness so it is less noticeable is a more realistic goal than restoring brand-new skin. Costs often run in the mid hundreds of thousands of won per session depending on scope and method.
When it is hard to tell
A mirror alone makes marks and scars easy to confuse. Shine light from the side: if the unevenness casts a shadow it leans toward a pitted scar; if you see only color with no shadow it is closer to a pigment mark. Accurate classification and a treatment plan come from the exam room. You can review clinics' procedure experience on the dermatology comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will red marks disappear if I just leave them?
Most fade over time, but it takes several months, and UV exposure during that window can leave pigment behind. If you want to speed up the calming, consider a laser.
Can pitted scars be removed completely?
Returning skin perfectly to its original state is difficult. Reducing the depth over sessions so it is less noticeable is the realistic goal.
When does scar treatment start?
It starts once active acne has settled and no new inflammation is flaring. With inflammation still present, irritation can create new scars.
This article is for general information only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified medical professional before any procedure; prices, results, and side effects vary by individual skin condition and clinic.