Yaan Clinic · Seoul, Korea
Problem Solution · Acne, Pores & TextureAcne Scar Removal
Korea — Matching Type to Treatment
Not all acne scars are the same — understanding your scar type is the first step to choosing a treatment that will actually work.
What’s the best treatment for acne scars? There’s no single best treatment — the right choice depends on scar type and depth. RF microneedling like Potenza works across a range of scar types thanks to adjustable depth, chemical peels help shallower texture concerns, and a doctor’s assessment of your specific scar pattern should guide the final decision.
Understanding Scar Types
Before Choosing Treatment
“Acne scars” actually covers several distinct patterns that form differently and respond differently to treatment. Rolling scars create broad, shallow depressions with sloping edges; boxcar scars have sharper, more defined edges and a box-like shape; icepick scars are narrow but go deep into the skin; and many people also have post-inflammatory marks, which are discoloration rather than true structural scarring and are addressed differently.
Correctly identifying which type — or combination of types — a patient has is the single most important step before choosing treatment, since a device or depth well-suited to shallow rolling scars can underperform on deep icepick scars, and vice versa.
Why depth-adjustable treatment matters here
Because scar depth varies so much between types — and often within the same patient — a treatment that can adjust its depth of action tends to perform better across a real-world case than one with a single fixed setting. This is part of why RF microneedling devices like Potenza are frequently recommended for acne scarring specifically: their adjustable needle depth can be matched to each scar’s actual depth rather than applying one setting to a mixed presentation.
Scar age also factors into how treatment is approached. Scars that formed recently are still part of an active remodeling process and may respond somewhat differently than scars that have been present for years and settled into a more fixed structure. This isn’t a reason to delay treatment, but it’s part of why a doctor’s assessment considers not just scar type and depth but also roughly how long the scarring has been present.
Treatment Options
Matched to Scar Type
| Scar Type | Typical Approach | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling scars | RF microneedling, adjustable depth | Responds well to collagen remodeling |
| Boxcar scars | RF microneedling combined with peels | Defined edges benefit from combination approach |
| Icepick scars | Deeper, more targeted approaches | Often the most treatment-resistant type |
| Post-inflammatory marks | Chemical peel, topical brightening | Not true scarring — see the chemical peel guide |
Most real cases involve a mix of types, which is why a personalized assessment often outperforms a single standard package.
What Determines
Your Treatment Plan
Mostly shallow, rolling texture
Often responds well to a standard RF microneedling course without needing more intensive intervention.
Deep, defined scarring
May need a longer course or combination approach targeting depth more aggressively.
Discoloration without true depth
Chemical peel and brightening approaches may be more appropriate and efficient than depth-focused treatment.
Mixed scar presentation
A doctor can combine approaches — addressing depth and discoloration together — for a more complete result.
What a Realistic
Timeline Looks Like
Initial collagen response begins; texture change is often still subtle at this stage.
More noticeable smoothing typically becomes visible as remodeling accumulates.
Deeper or mixed-type scarring usually needs this full course for meaningful change.
Results continue to refine for weeks after the final session as collagen remodeling finishes.
It’s worth setting expectations honestly from the start: most acne scar treatments produce meaningful, visible improvement rather than a complete return to scar-free skin. Patients who understand this going in tend to feel more satisfied with genuinely good results, rather than comparing their outcome to an unrealistic before-and-after standard.
For visitors planning treatment around a trip to Korea, the multi-session nature of scar treatment is worth factoring into travel plans. A single session provides some benefit and establishes a starting point, but the meaningful improvement most patients seek develops over a completed course — so patients with limited time often discuss a realistic session plan with their doctor before committing to a specific number of visits.
Frequently Asked
Questions
What types of acne scars are there?
The main types are rolling scars (broad, shallow depressions), boxcar scars (defined edges, box-like), icepick scars (narrow, deep), and post-inflammatory marks that aren’t true structural scars — each responds differently to treatment.
Which treatment is best for acne scars?
It depends on scar type and depth — RF microneedling like Potenza suits a range of scar types with adjustable depth, chemical peels help texture and shallow marks, and deeper icepick or boxcar scars often need more intensive, depth-targeted approaches.
Can acne scars be completely removed?
Most treatments significantly improve the appearance of acne scars rather than erasing them completely — the goal is meaningful, visible improvement rather than a guarantee of flawless skin.
How many sessions does acne scar treatment take?
Most patients need 3 to 6 sessions depending on scar type, depth, and the treatment chosen, spaced several weeks apart to allow collagen remodeling between sessions.
Is acne scar treatment safe for active acne?
Some treatments can proceed alongside mild active acne, but a doctor typically evaluates whether inflammation should be brought under control first to avoid provoking new marks during scar treatment.
Not Sure Which Scar Type You Have?
Book a consultation for an accurate assessment before starting treatment.
Speak with Yaan ClinicReviewed By
Dr. Wontak Choi — Aesthetic Medicine Specialist, Yaan Clinic, Gangnam, Seoul.
