Acne Scarring and Laser Resurfacing: What You Need to Know
Acne may be temporary, but the scars it leaves behind can feel like a long-term reminder of a frustrating skin journey. Whether you’ve battled cystic acne for years or dealt with occasional breakouts that left their mark, acne scarring can impact not only your skin’s texture—but also your confidence.
At Bad Skin, located inside Sola Salons in downtown Redwood City, we specialize in helping clients heal from the inside out—both physically and emotionally. One of the most powerful treatments we offer for acne scars is laser resurfacing. But is it right for you?
Let’s break down the different types of acne scars, how laser resurfacing works, and what kind of results you can expect.
Types of Acne Scars
Before treating acne scars, it’s essential to understand what kind you have. Not all scars respond to the same treatment.
✴️ Atrophic Scars (Most Common)
These appear as depressions or indents in the skin:
Ice Pick Scars: Deep, narrow, and hard to treat.
Boxcar Scars: Wider with more defined edges.
Rolling Scars: Shallow with a wave-like appearance.
✴️ Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars
These are raised, thickened areas of scar tissue, more common on the chest, back, and jawline.
✴️ Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Not technically a scar, but the dark spots left behind from acne. These typically fade with time or pigment-correcting treatments.
What Is Laser Resurfacing?
Laser resurfacing is a skin-rejuvenation treatment that uses focused light energy to remove damaged layers of skin and stimulate new collagen production. It's a gold standard for treating acne scars, especially atrophic ones.
There are two main types:
✅ Ablative Lasers
These remove the outer layers of skin. Great for deep scarring and dramatic results, but with longer downtime.
CO2 Laser
Er:YAG Laser
✅ Non-Ablative Lasers
These heat the underlying skin without damaging the surface. Perfect for mild to moderate scars and faster recovery.
Fraxel
UltraClear (available at Bad Skin)
How Laser Resurfacing Helps Acne Scars
Lasers help improve acne scarring in several ways:
Stimulates collagen production, which fills in indents and smooths texture
Resurfaces skin, reducing roughness and uneven tone
Targets pigmentation, improving redness or brown marks from past breakouts
Shrinks pore size and enhances overall skin clarity
In short: it doesn’t just improve scars, it transforms your entire complexion.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Laser resurfacing works well for:
Individuals with moderate to severe acne scarring
Those with light to medium skin tones (though newer technologies like UltraClear are safer for darker skin)
People who are not actively breaking out
Anyone committed to a good skincare regimen before and after treatment
We always do a full consultation at Bad Skin to ensure laser is safe and appropriate for your skin type and goals.
What to Expect During Treatment
Here’s what a typical session looks like:
Consultation – We assess your scars, skin tone, and create a personalized treatment plan.
Numbing – A topical anesthetic is applied to keep you comfortable.
Laser Treatment – We use the device to target the affected areas. Treatment can take 30–60 minutes depending on the size of the area.
Post-Care Instructions – We provide a full recovery plan and skincare guidance.
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
While some clients see visible improvement after just one session, most benefit from a series of 3–5 treatments, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
The severity of your scarring, your skin’s response, and your skincare routine all affect how many sessions you’ll need. Maintenance treatments once or twice a year can keep your skin looking its best.
Downtime and Healing
Downtime varies based on the type of laser used:
Ablative Laser: Expect 7–10 days of redness, peeling, and sensitivity. Think of it like a deep skin reboot.
Non-Ablative Laser: Most people experience redness, swelling, and light peeling for 2–5 days. You can typically return to work in a couple of days.
Healing involves moisturizing, sun protection, and avoiding active skincare ingredients like retinol or acids until your provider gives the green light.
Is It Worth It?
Yes — if you’re ready to invest in your skin and commit to the process.
Laser resurfacing is one of the most effective treatments for acne scarring available today. It doesn’t just hide scars—it helps rebuild your skin’s foundation. For many of our clients, the emotional relief of not having to cover up their skin every day is life-changing.
Alternative or Complementary Treatments
If laser isn’t the best first step for your skin, or you’re looking to enhance your results, we may recommend:
Microneedling or RF Microneedling
Chemical peels
Sculptra or biostimulators to rebuild volume in depressed scars
LED therapy to reduce inflammation and support healing
At Bad Skin, we often combine modalities to maximize results while minimizing downtime.
Why Choose Bad Skin in Redwood City?
We’re not just here to zap away scars — we’re here to help you understand your skin, rebuild your confidence, and love what you see in the mirror.
Located in downtown Redwood City within Sola Salons (right across from Philz Coffee!), Bad Skin proudly serves clients from across the Bay Area, including:
Palo Alto, San Mateo, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Belmont, San Carlos, Foster City, Daly City, Millbrae, Burlingame, South San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Fremont, Union City, Hayward, Los Altos, San Jose, and Oakland.
Be Bad, But Better
Your acne scars are part of your story — but they don’t have to define you. At Bad Skin, we offer expert laser resurfacing treatments that are tailored, safe, and transformative.
✨ Ready for a smoother future?
Book a consultation and let’s create your custom scar treatment plan.
