Acne Scar Treatment in Riyadh

The terms acne scars and acne marks are often used interchangeably, but they describe different changes in the skin.

True acne scars involve a change in the structure or texture of the skin after inflammation has healed. They may appear as depressions in the skin or as raised areas.

Atrophic acne scars are depressed scars that sit below the surrounding skin. Common types include icepick, boxcar, and rolling scars.

Raised acne scars, including hypertrophic scars and keloids, develop when excess scar tissue forms during healing.

Post-acne marks are changes in skin color rather than structural scars. They may include areas of increased pigmentation or persistent redness after acne has healed.

The distinction matters because treatments used for pigmentation or redness may differ from those used to improve depressed or raised scars.

Icepick scars are narrow, deep depressions that extend into the skin. Because they are often deeper than they appear at the surface, they may require targeted scar techniques rather than relying on surface-level treatment alone.

Boxcar scars are broader depressions with relatively defined edges. They can vary from shallow to deeper scars, and treatment selection depends partly on their depth and characteristics.

Rolling scars create an uneven or wave-like appearance because of changes beneath the skin that pull the surface downward. Subcision may be considered for selected rolling scars, sometimes alongside resurfacing or other treatments.

Hypertrophic scars are raised areas of scar tissue that remain within the boundaries of the original acne lesion. Their management differs from that of depressed acne scars and requires appropriate clinical assessment.

Keloids are raised scars that extend beyond the original area of injury. Because they can behave differently from other acne scars, treatment should be planned carefully following medical evaluation.

Acne scars develop when inflammation associated with acne affects the deeper layers of the skin and the normal healing process leads to a structural change.

Factors associated with acne scarring can include:

Not everyone who develops acne will develop the same type or severity of scarring.

An acne scar consultation begins with an assessment of the skin rather than selecting a treatment based only on the name of the scar.

Dr. Haitham may consider:

This assessment helps determine whether a single treatment or a combination of approaches may be appropriate.

There is no single treatment that is appropriate for every type of acne scar. Depending on the clinical assessment, different procedures may be considered.

Laser resurfacing can be used to improve aspects of uneven skin texture and selected acne scars by creating controlled changes within the skin.

Fractional CO₂ laser treatment uses microscopic columns of laser energy to target portions of the skin while leaving surrounding areas untreated. It may be considered for selected textural concerns and acne scars.

The intensity and suitability of treatment depend on factors such as scar characteristics, skin type, and individual pigmentation risk.

Fraxel is a fractional laser approach that can be used to address selected concerns involving skin texture and acne scarring. Treatment parameters are adjusted according to the individual’s skin and treatment goals.

Clear + Brilliant is a fractional laser treatment designed to create controlled microscopic treatment zones in the skin. It may be considered when the treatment goal includes improving skin texture and overall skin quality, although the appropriate approach depends on the individual scar pattern.

PicoWay uses ultra-short laser pulses and can be used for different dermatological applications. Depending on the device setting and clinical indication, it may be considered as part of an individualized approach to certain acne-related skin concerns.

Microneedling-based treatments create controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate a healing response and may be used to improve selected textural concerns.

Secret RF combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy delivered into the skin. It may be considered for selected acne scars and textural irregularities, depending on scar type, depth, and skin characteristics.

Microneedling uses fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. It may be considered for selected superficial acne scars and textural concerns.

Subcision is a technique used for selected depressed scars, particularly scars in which fibrous connections beneath the skin contribute to the depression.

A needle or specialized instrument is introduced beneath the scar to release these connections. Subcision may sometimes be combined with other procedures depending on the scar pattern.

Punch techniques may be considered for selected acne scars, particularly certain deep or well-defined scars.

The specific technique depends on the scar’s characteristics and may involve removing or modifying an individual scar before allowing the area to heal.

Certain chemical peels can improve aspects of skin texture and pigmentation and may have a role in selected acne-scar treatment plans.

The type and strength of peel should be selected according to the individual’s skin characteristics and treatment goals.

Dermal fillers may be considered for selected depressed acne scars when additional volume can help reduce the appearance of a depression.

Not every acne scar is suitable for filler treatment, and assessment is important before choosing this approach.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be used as an adjunct to selected dermatological procedures. Its role depends on the overall treatment plan and should not be presented as a standalone solution for every type of acne scar.

Treatment selection depends on the specific characteristics of the scar rather than simply its name.

Some patients have several types of acne scars at the same time. In these situations, different areas may require different treatment approaches.

Because acne scars can differ across the same face, combining treatment approaches may sometimes provide a more individualized strategy.

Depending on the assessment, a treatment plan may involve combinations such as:

Combination treatment is not automatically necessary for every patient. The appropriate approach depends on the individual’s scars, skin, previous treatments, and treatment goals.

Skin characteristics are an important consideration when planning acne scar treatment.

For individuals who are more prone to pigmentation after inflammation or procedures, treatment parameters and the choice of procedure may need to be adjusted carefully.

Factors that may be considered include:

Appropriate preparation, sun protection, and aftercare are important parts of treatment planning.

Acne scar treatment may be considered for people who have persistent textural or structural changes following acne.

Suitability depends on factors such as:

If active acne remains significant, controlling the acne may be an important part of the overall treatment plan to help reduce the development of additional scars.

The first step is a clinical assessment of the acne scars and surrounding skin. The scar type, depth, distribution, skin characteristics, and previous treatment history are considered.

A treatment approach is selected based on the findings. Some patients may be candidates for one procedure, while others may benefit from a staged or combination treatment plan.

Preparation varies according to the selected procedure. Dr. Haitham may provide individualized instructions regarding skincare, sun exposure, and products to use or avoid before treatment.

The procedure itself depends on the treatment selected. Treatment settings and techniques are adjusted according to the individual’s skin and the characteristics of the acne scars.

Aftercare depends on the procedure performed. Instructions may include gentle skincare, sun protection, and temporary avoidance of certain active skincare products.

Follow-up allows the skin’s response to be assessed and helps determine whether additional treatment or adjustments to the treatment plan may be appropriate.

Recovery varies considerably depending on the procedure.

Some treatments may result in temporary redness, sensitivity, swelling, peeling, or other short-term changes. More intensive resurfacing procedures may require more recovery time than less invasive treatments.

General aftercare may include:

Specific aftercare instructions should always follow the treatment performed.

Acne scar treatment aims to improve the appearance and texture of the skin rather than guarantee complete removal of every scar.

Results depend on several factors, including:

Improvement may develop gradually as the skin heals and remodels. Some patients may require more than one treatment session or more than one treatment approach.

Acne scars generally cannot be guaranteed to disappear completely.

Treatment can often aim to make scars less noticeable by improving their depth, texture, and overall appearance. The degree of improvement varies between individuals and depends on the type and severity of scarring as well as the treatment approach.

A realistic treatment plan focuses on measurable improvement rather than promising complete scar removal.

Acne scar treatment requires more than choosing a procedure based on the appearance of a scar alone.

Dr. Haitham Al-Gzlan approaches acne scar treatment through individual assessment of scar type, depth, skin characteristics, and previous treatment history. The treatment plan can then be tailored to the specific pattern of scarring and the individual’s goals.

His approach may involve selecting a single procedure or considering a combination of techniques when clinically appropriate.

For patients seeking acne scar treatment in Riyadh, an individualized consultation provides an opportunity to assess the scars and discuss suitable treatment options.

If you are concerned about acne scars, a consultation with Dr. Haitham Al-Gzlan can help identify the type of scarring present and determine which treatment approaches may be appropriate for your skin.

Book an acne scar consultation in Riyadh to discuss your skin concerns and develop an individualized treatment plan.