The Best Treatment for Acne Scars: Your Guide to Clearer Skin in Shawnee, KS

Acne scars can feel like a frustrating reminder of breakouts long gone. While some fade over time, others—especially deeper acne scars—can linger, affecting skin texture and self-confidence. The good news? There are effective treatments that can improve acne scars and restore a smoother, healthier skin surface.

At Shawnee Restore and Wellness in Shawnee, KS, we offer a wide range of acne scar treatment options designed to target everything from ice pick scars to rolling acne scars. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the types of acne scars, what causes them, and the best treatment for acne scars—based on your skin type, scar severity, and desired results.

Introduction to Acne Scars

Acne scars are a common concern that can affect both your appearance and your confidence. When breakouts heal, they sometimes leave behind visible marks or changes in skin texture that can be difficult to ignore. The process of acne scar formation is complex, involving inflammation, damage to skin tissue, and the body’s attempt to repair itself. This can result in different types of acne scars, each requiring a unique approach for the best results.

Fortunately, advances in acne scar treatment have made it possible to significantly improve the look and feel of your skin. Today, there are a variety of acne scar treatment options available, from targeted procedures to combination therapies, all designed to address specific types of acne scars. Understanding the causes and characteristics of your acne scars is the first step toward finding an effective treatment and achieving smoother, clearer skin.

Understanding Acne

What is Acne?

Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that appears as a combination of blackheads, whiteheads, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. It develops when excess oil (sebum), dead skin cells, and bacteria clog hair follicles, leading to inflammation and breakouts. Acne can affect anyone, regardless of age or skin type, and its impact often goes beyond the skin, affecting self-esteem and daily life.

Types of Acne

Acne can range from mild to severe, and the type you experience can influence your risk of developing acne scarring. Mild acne typically involves a few comedones and occasional small pimples. Moderate acne is characterized by more frequent and widespread breakouts, while severe acne features large, painful cysts and nodules that can damage deeper layers of the skin. Severe acne is more likely to result in noticeable acne scarring, making early and effective treatment especially important.

Understanding the Different Types of Acne Scars

Not all acne scars are created equal. Hypertrophic scars are a type of raised, red or pink scars caused by excess collagen deposits after skin injury or inflammation, and are considered a type of thickened scars. The type of scar you have greatly influences the acne scar treatment that will work best for you. Both hypertrophic scars and keloid scars are considered thickened scars due to excess collagen.

1. Atrophic Scars

These are the most common type of facial acne scars and include:

• Ice Pick Scars: Deep and narrow scars that extend into the dermis. An ice pick scar is particularly difficult to treat and often requires specialized techniques such as punch excision or laser treatments.
• Boxcar Scars: Wider, angular depressions with defined edges
• Rolling Scars: Wide depressions with sloped edges and uneven skin texture

2. Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars

These raised acne scars occur when excess scar tissue forms during healing. Hypertrophic acne scars remain within the original wound, while keloid scars grow beyond it.

3. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)

While not technically a scar, PIH appears as dark spots or discoloration after acne lesions heal—especially common in darker skin tones.

What Causes Acne Scars?

Acne scars form when inflammation from breakouts damages the skin tissue, particularly in deeper layers. Severe acne can also damage the underlying tissue, which influences scar formation and treatment approaches. The body’s natural healing process tries to rebuild the damaged tissue, but inconsistent collagen production often leads to depressed scars or raised scar tissue.

Factors like genetics, skin type, and how you treat active acne can influence whether you develop long-term acne inflammation scars. Many treatments for acne scars work by stimulating the body's natural healing process to repair damaged skin.

The Role of Acne Inflammation

Inflammation is a key factor in the development of acne scars. When acne lesions become inflamed, they can damage the surrounding skin tissue, leading to the formation of scar tissue as the body heals. The longer and more intense the inflammation, the greater the risk of developing depressed acne scars such as rolling scars, boxcar scars, and ice pick scars. These scars form when the skin’s natural healing process is disrupted, resulting in uneven texture and changes to the skin’s surface.

To effectively treat acne scars, it’s important to address both the underlying scar tissue and stimulate new collagen production. Treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, and microneedling are designed to target different types of acne scars by promoting skin rejuvenation and encouraging the body’s natural healing process. By understanding how acne inflammation leads to scarring, you can work with your skincare provider to choose the most effective acne scar treatments for your unique skin tissue and concerns.

Choosing the Right Acne Scar Treatment

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best treatment for acne scars depends on:

• Type of acne scar
• Depth and size
• Location (face, body, etc.)
• Skin tone and skin type
• Medical history and sensitivities

At Shawnee Restore and Wellness in Shawnee, KS, we customize your acne scar treatment plan using a variety of clinically proven methods.

Our Top Acne Scar Treatment Options in Shawnee, KS

1. Laser Treatment for Acne Scars

Laser resurfacing is one of the most effective ways to treat atrophic acne scars, especially rolling scars and boxcar scars.

We use Alma Harmony laser technology, which precisely targets underlying scar tissue and promotes new collagen and elastin production. Various laser treatments, including fractional lasers and pulsed dye laser, can be used to target different types of acne scars and redness. Pulsed dye laser is particularly effective for reducing redness and post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) associated with acne scars.

Ideal for: Ice pick, boxcar, rolling scars
Stimulates: Collagen fibers and skin healing
Improves: Skin texture and pigmentation

Learn more about Alma Harmony laser therapy

2. Microneedling & Collagen Induction Therapy

Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling uses tiny needles to stimulate your body’s natural healing process. It’s excellent for improving skin texture and treating shallow depressed acne scars. Microneedling helps stimulate collagen production, which is essential for repairing acne scars.

Boosts: Collagen production (microneedling stimulates collagen production, leading to smoother skin over time) Enhances: Penetration of topical treatments Safe for: Most skin tones

3. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels use acids like glycolic acid or salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin surface, reducing the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and mild acne scars. A chemical peel is a procedure that uses a chemical solution to remove the top layers of skin, promoting new skin growth.

Types of chemical peels offered:

• Mild and medium peels: Great for PIH and texture irregularities
• Deep peels: Target deeper acne scars and stimulate collagen formation

Chemical peeling is a safe and effective method for improving acne scars, and it can be combined with other therapies for enhanced results.

Included as part of Skin Rejuvenation treatments

4. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Using your own blood’s growth factors, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) boosts skin healing and collagen induction. We often combine PRP with microneedling for enhanced results.

Best for: Rolling and boxcar scars
Ideal for: Natural rejuvenation with minimal downtime
Safe for: Darker skin and sensitive skin types

5. Dermal Fillers

For depressed scars, particularly rolling scars, dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid can lift the area and help restore a smoother skin's surface.

Fast, visible improvement
Temporary but effective results
Often used in combination therapy

6. Punch Excision and Acne Scar Surgery

Surgical methods like punch excision remove individual ice pick scars or boxcar scars, followed by stitches or a laser resurfacing finish.

Best for: Deep ice pick scars
Often paired with other therapies
Performed under local anesthesia

Combination Therapy: Why One Treatment Isn’t Always Enough

For severe scarring, a combination of treatments often yields the best results. For example:

• Laser treatment + PRP therapy
• Microneedling + chemical peels
• Punch excision + laser resurfacing

This holistic approach stimulates collagen and elastin production, breaks down scar tissue beneath the skin, and improves the overall skin texture and skin tone.

Acne Scar Treatment for Different Skin Types & Tones

Darker Skin Tones

Patients with darker skin tones require extra care. At Shawnee Restore and Wellness in Shawnee, KS, we tailor treatments to minimize risk of hyperpigmentation or irritation.

We often recommend:

• Microneedling
• PRP therapy
• Light to medium chemical peels
• Non-ablative laser therapy

Sensitive or Reactive Skin

For those with sensitive or reactive skin types, we use gentler protocols, such as:

• Low-concentration salicylic acid peels
• PRP injections
• Skin rejuvenation options without harsh chemicals

Timeline for Results: How Long Does Acne Scar Treatment Take?

Most acne scar treatments require multiple sessions to see significant results. The body’s natural healing process takes time, and improvements happen gradually as collagen production increases.

Typical treatment timelines:

• Laser resurfacing: 3–6 sessions, spaced 4–6 weeks apart
• Microneedling with PRP: 3–4 sessions
• Chemical peels: Monthly for 3–6 months
• Dermal fillers: Results visible immediately, lasting 6–12 months

Lifestyle Tips to Support Scar Healing

1. Avoid Picking Acne Lesions

Picking or squeezing acne lesions increases your risk of scars forming and introduces bacteria into healing tissue.

2. Wear Sunscreen Daily

UV exposure worsens post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and hinders skin healing. Always wear broad-spectrum SPF—even in winter.

3. Maintain a Gentle Skincare Routine

Avoid harsh scrubs or over-exfoliation. Opt for products with glycolic acid or salicylic acid that support cell turnover.

4. Treat Active Acne Early

The best way to prevent facial scars is to treat acne inflammation early. We offer custom treatment plans to help you reduce breakouts before they scar.

Why Choose Shawnee Restore and Wellness for Acne Scar Treatment?

Shawnee Restore and Wellness isn’t just a medspa—we’re your partner in skin rejuvenation, located right in the heart of Shawnee, KS.

Here's why clients trust us:

Customized treatments for every skin tone and scar type
State-of-the-art laser and microneedling technology
Compassionate, professional care
Combination protocols for severe acne scars
Long-term skin maintenance plans

Real Client Results

Want to see the power of our treatments? Explore our Gallery to view real patient before-and-after results from acne scar treatments.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Live with Acne Scars

If you’ve struggled with acne scarring for years, know that you have options. Whether you're dealing with depressed acne scars, keloid scars, or rolling and boxcar scars, we’re here to help you uncover smoother, healthier skin.

Ready to begin your journey? Schedule a consultation and let’s build your acne scar treatment plan—designed just for your skin.

Serving the Shawnee, KS Area and Beyond

Located conveniently in Shawnee, KS, Shawnee Restore and Wellness welcomes clients from the greater Johnson County area who are ready to transform their skin and restore their confidence.

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Let’s Restore Your Skin—And Your Confidence

Visit our Acne Scars page to learn more or Contact Us to schedule your appointment.

Your path to smoother, scar-free skin starts now—with Shawnee Restore and Wellness in Shawnee, KS.

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