Acne Scars
Acne scars include rolling, boxcar and icepick types, and sometimes dark or red marks that fade on their own. Treatment depends on which you have. Many options involve healing time and repeat visits, which shapes what a short stay can realistically achieve.
Common causes
- Deep or prolonged inflammatory acne damaging collagen
- Picking or squeezing lesions
- Delayed treatment of active breakouts
- Genetics affecting how skin heals
- Post-inflammatory marks that look like scars but fade
How doctors usually approach it
- Identify the scar type
- Rolling scars respond to releasing tethered tissue, boxcar scars to resurfacing, and icepick scars to targeted acid or punch techniques. Flat marks may need no scar treatment at all.
- Treat active acne first
- New breakouts keep creating scars, so control is part of the plan.
- Use staged procedures
- Fractional lasers, microneedle radiofrequency, microneedling, subcision, TCA application and collagen-stimulating injectables are used, often in combination.
- Allow healing time
- Collagen remodeling takes months, and improvement is partial for many people.
Treatments often discussed
Treating acne scars on a short stay in Seoul
Scar work is heavy on downtime. Resurfacing lasers can leave several days of redness and crusting, and procedures such as subcision cause bruising. Plan the first session early and keep the last days before your flight free of new procedures.
Because scars are treated in stages weeks apart, a one-week trip rarely covers a course. A sensible use of the visit is a consultation that sorts scar types, a first or second lighter session, and a written plan a dermatologist at home can follow. Ask what sun protection you will need on sightseeing days, since fresh skin is prone to darkening.
Skip heavy outdoor days, saunas and swimming until the doctor clears them, and keep photos in similar light so changes can be compared later.
Acne Scars: common questions
Can scars be fully removed?
Usually they are improved, not erased. Results vary by scar type and person.
Is one laser session enough?
Rarely. Most plans use several sessions over months.
How soon can I fly after resurfacing?
It depends on the depth of treatment. Ask the doctor and allow extra days.
Do home products help?
Sunscreen and gentle care support healing, but they do not reshape deep scars.
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- Myeongdong, Jung-gu
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