At Castle Dermatology in Encino, California, acne scar treatment starts with identifying the type of scarring present, its depth, and how it interacts with your skin. Ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars develop differently, which is why the same procedure will not be appropriate for every patient.
Our dermatologists may use treatments such as fractional laser resurfacing, RF microneedling, subcision, TCA CROSS, chemical peels, and injectables as part of an individualized acne scar treatment plan. The goal is to match treatment to the structure of the scar while considering your skin tone, treatment history, and the degree of improvement you would like to achieve.
Understanding Acne Scar Types and How They Are Treated
Before deciding which acne scar treatment makes sense, it helps to determine whether you are dealing with a true structural scar, lingering discoloration, or a combination of concerns. Many patients have more than one type of acne scar, which can make a combination approach appropriate.
Ice Pick Scars
Ice pick scars are deep, narrow depressions that extend into the skin. Because of their depth and small opening, treatments focused primarily on the skin’s surface may have limited impact on the deepest part of the scar.
TCA CROSS may be considered for appropriately selected ice pick scars. This technique places trichloroacetic acid directly within the scar rather than treating a broad area of skin. The controlled application is intended to stimulate a localized healing and collagen-remodeling response over time.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars are round or oval depressions with more defined edges. Their vertical walls can create shadows that make the scars noticeable even when the surrounding skin tone is relatively even.
Depending on their depth and characteristics, treatments such as fractional laser resurfacing or RF microneedling may be considered to improve texture and soften the appearance of the scar. Deeper boxcar scars may require a different or combined approach.
Rolling Scars
Rolling scars create broader, wave-like depressions in the skin. They are often associated with fibrous bands beneath the surface that tether the skin to deeper tissue.
When tethering is contributing to the depression, subcision may be considered. During subcision, the dermatologist releases fibrous bands beneath the scar. Depending on the individual case, another treatment may be recommended alongside or after subcision to address remaining volume loss or surface texture.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Erythema
Not every mark left behind by acne is a structural scar. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or PIH, can leave flat brown or darker areas after a blemish heals, while post-inflammatory erythema, or PIE, may appear as persistent red or pink marks.
Because these changes involve color rather than a depression in the skin, they are treated differently from atrophic acne scars. Depending on the concern and skin type, treatment may involve topical dermatologic care, chemical peels, or selected laser or light-based procedures.
If you have both discoloration and structural scarring, we can evaluate each concern separately and determine how they should be addressed within the same overall treatment plan.
Also Read: How To Deal With Acne Scars
Acne Scar Treatment Options at Castle Dermatology
Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Fractional laser resurfacing treats microscopic areas of the skin while leaving surrounding tissue intact. The treatment is designed to stimulate remodeling within the skin and may improve acne-related texture irregularities and certain depressed scars.
Improvement develops gradually as the skin heals and collagen remodeling takes place. The type and intensity of laser treatment selected will depend on factors such as scar characteristics, skin type, and the amount of downtime that is appropriate for you.
Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling
RF microneedling combines microneedles with radiofrequency energy delivered at controlled depths within the skin. It may be considered for certain rolling or boxcar scars and other texture concerns.
Skin tone, scar characteristics, and the specific treatment settings all factor into planning. Your dermatologist can determine whether RF microneedling is appropriate for your skin and how it may fit into a broader acne scar treatment plan.
Subcision for Tethered Scars
Subcision addresses acne scars that are being pulled downward by fibrous bands beneath the skin. A specialized instrument is passed beneath the scar to release those attachments, allowing the depressed surface to lift.
It can be particularly useful when tethering contributes to rolling or deeper depressed scars. Because not every depression is tethered, an examination is important before determining whether subcision is appropriate.
TCA CROSS and Chemical Peels
TCA CROSS uses a focused application of trichloroacetic acid within an individual acne scar. Unlike a broader chemical peel, the treatment is directed specifically into selected scars and may be considered for certain deep, narrow depressions such as ice pick scars.
Chemical peels can serve a different purpose. Depending on the formulation and treatment depth, they may be used to address concerns such as uneven pigmentation or superficial texture.
Dermal Fillers and Biostimulators
Some depressed acne scars involve volume loss that may benefit from an injectable treatment. Dermal fillers can add volume beneath appropriately selected depressions, while biostimulatory products such as Sculptra and Radiesse are designed to encourage collagen production over time.
In some treatment plans, injectables may be combined with subcision or other procedures when additional support or volume correction is appropriate. Whether an injectable makes sense depends on the scar pattern, treatment area, and the patient’s individual anatomy.
How Much Does Acne Scar Treatment Cost in Encino?
There is no single price for acne scar treatment because the appropriate procedure and number of treatments vary from patient to patient.
A small number of isolated scars may require a very different treatment plan from widespread rolling, boxcar, or ice pick scarring. Cost can also be affected by the treatment modality, size of the area being treated, scar severity, whether several procedures are being combined, and the number of sessions recommended.
During your consultation at Castle Dermatology, we can examine your scars and explain which treatment options may be appropriate. Once a treatment plan has been developed, you can receive individualized pricing based on the care being recommended.
Also Read: How Acne Scar Treatment Can Improve Your Skin
Comparing Acne Scar Treatment Options
| Treatment | How It Works | May Be Considered For | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional Laser Resurfacing | Uses fractional laser energy to stimulate skin remodeling | Certain boxcar scars, texture irregularities, and shallow depressions | Healing and downtime vary with the laser and treatment intensity; improvement develops gradually |
| RF Microneedling | Combines microneedling with controlled radiofrequency energy | Selected rolling and boxcar scars and texture concerns | Temporary redness or swelling may occur; improvement develops as the skin remodels |
| Subcision | Releases fibrous bands beneath tethered scars | Rolling scars and selected tethered depressions | Bruising, swelling, or tenderness may occur; results vary with the degree of tethering |
| TCA CROSS | Places a focused chemical solution within selected scars | Certain ice pick and other narrow, deep scars | Localized crusting and healing can occur; more than one treatment may be recommended |
The comparison is a starting point rather than a treatment prescription. Acne scars often overlap, and the treatment that works well for one scar may not address another scar only a few centimeters away.
What to Expect During Acne Scar Treatment in Encino
Every acne scar treatment plan at Castle Dermatology begins with a dermatologic evaluation. Your dermatologist will examine the types of scars present, their depth and distribution, your skin characteristics, medical history, and treatments you may have already tried.
That evaluation helps determine whether one procedure is likely to address the primary concern or whether different scar types would benefit from a combination approach. If several procedures are recommended, they may be performed at different stages based on the scars being treated, your skin’s response, and the healing time needed between treatments.
Before each procedure, our team will explain what to expect during treatment, how your skin may look and feel afterward, and the aftercare instructions that apply to that particular procedure. Acne scar improvement is generally progressive rather than immediate, and the treatment timeline varies depending on the procedures used and how your skin responds.
Why Choose Castle Dermatology for Acne Scar Treatment in Encino?
Treating acne scars involves more than choosing a device. Scar depth, tethering, pigmentation, skin type, and previous treatment all influence which approach may be appropriate.
At Castle Dermatology, we evaluate those factors before developing a treatment plan. That allows us to distinguish between scars that may benefit from resurfacing, scars that require attention beneath the surface, and discoloration that calls for a different strategy altogether.
Conveniently Located in Encino
Castle Dermatology is located on Ventura Boulevard in Encino, making our office convenient for patients from surrounding San Fernando Valley communities, including Tarzana, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Woodland Hills, and Calabasas.
Patients can also explore our full range of dermatology services in Encino when deciding which skin concerns they would like to discuss during their visit.
Also Read: Fractional CO2 Laser and Fillers: Can They Be Combined for Acne Scar Treatment?
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Acne Scar Treatment Available in Encino?
There is no single treatment that is best for every acne scar. Ice pick, rolling, and boxcar scars have different structural characteristics and may respond to different procedures. At Castle Dermatology, treatment is selected after evaluating your scar types, skin characteristics, and treatment goals.
How Much Does Acne Scar Treatment Cost in Encino and the San Fernando Valley?
Cost depends on the procedure, treatment area, scar severity, and number of sessions recommended. Patients with several scar types may also benefit from more than one treatment modality. After examining your skin, Castle Dermatology can provide individualized pricing for the recommended treatment plan.
Are Acne Scar Revision Results Permanent?
Acne scar treatments are intended to create lasting improvement in the appearance and texture of treated scars, but results vary by scar type, procedure, skin response, and other individual factors. Treatment does not prevent future acne or new scars from developing, and skin continues to change naturally over time. Your dermatologist can explain what improvement is realistic for your specific scars.
How Many Acne Scar Treatment Sessions Will I Need?
The number of sessions varies because ice pick, rolling, and boxcar scars do not respond to treatment in the same way. Scar depth, the procedures selected, your skin’s response, and whether several scar types are being addressed all influence the treatment timeline. After examining your skin, your dermatologist can give you a more individualized idea of what to expect.
Is Acne Scar Treatment an Option for Darker Skin Tones?
Acne scar treatment can be considered for patients with darker skin tones, but treatment selection and settings require careful planning because the risk of pigment changes can differ by procedure and skin type. Your dermatologist can evaluate your skin and select an approach based on your scar characteristics, skin tone, and risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
How Do I Schedule an Acne Scar Consultation at Castle Dermatology in Encino?
You can request an appointment online through Castle Dermatology to meet with a dermatologist in Encino. During your consultation, your scars can be evaluated individually so you can understand which treatment options may be appropriate.
Schedule Your Acne Scar Consultation at Castle Dermatology
If acne scars are still noticeable long after your breakouts have healed, the first step is determining what type of scarring remains. A personalized evaluation can distinguish between tethered scars, deeper depressions, surface texture changes, and lingering discoloration so treatment can focus on what is actually causing the concern.
Schedule an acne scar consultation at Castle Dermatology in Encino to discuss your skin, previous treatments, and the options that may be appropriate for your scars.