Acne scars • Central London

Acne scar treatment with consultant dermatological surgeon
Dr Magnus Lynch

Acne scars can be significantly improved. As a dermatological surgeon I offer the full range of treatments - from subcision and TCA CROSS to laser resurfacing - and combine them in the right order for your scars and your skin.

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108+ verified patient reviews Consultant dermatologist & dermatological surgeon The full range of scar treatments

Find the right treatment

Six quick questions, and I will show you the treatments most likely to help, in the order I would usually do them.

Which acne scar treatment is right for you?

Answer six quick questions about your scars and your skin, and I will show you the treatments most likely to help, in the order I would usually do them.

About 1 minute Your answers stay on your device

Why see a dermatological surgeon

Many clinics offer one machine and treat every scar with it. Real improvement usually needs several treatments, chosen for each type of scar.

Every treatment

Subcision, TCA CROSS, punch excision, laser, filler and skin boosters - so the treatment fits the scar, not the other way round.

The right order

Release and lift scars first, then resurface. Done in the wrong order, treatments achieve far less.

Safe for your skin

Treatment chosen for your skin type, with test patches where there is a risk of pigmentation change.

A clear written plan

You receive a letter setting out each stage, what it costs and what to expect, and can contact me with questions afterwards.

Dr Magnus Lynch, Consultant Dermatologist and Dermatological Surgeon

Your treatment plan

Assess your scars in person
I look at your scars in different light and check which are tethered, which are deep and which are shallow.
Control any active acne
New spots mean new scars, so active acne is treated first - with isotretinoin if needed.
Release and lift
Subcision for tethered rolling scars, with filler where volume has been lost.
Treat deep scars
TCA CROSS or punch excision for ice pick and deep boxcar scars.
Resurface and refine
ResurFX or CO2 laser for texture, then treatment for any red or dark marks.

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Treatments

Most people need a combination over several visits. These are the treatments I use and what each is best for.

Rolling scars

Subcision

A fine needle releases the fibrous bands that pull scars down, so the skin can lift. Usually the first procedure, and filler can be added in the same session.

Best forTethered, rolling scars
RecoveryBruising 1 to 2 weeks

Subcision guide Does it cause sagging?

Ice pick & boxcar scars

TCA CROSS

A strong acid applied precisely to the base of each scar, so it fills in from below. Usually two to four sessions.

Best forNarrow, deep scars
Recovery5 to 7 days

TCA CROSS guide For ice pick scars

A few deep scars

Punch excision

Each deep scar is removed under local anaesthetic and closed with a fine stitch, leaving a flat line that is far less noticeable.

Best forDeep ice pick & boxcar
RecoveryStitches out in 1 week

Punch excision guide Which scars?

Volume & skin quality

Filler, skin boosters & polynucleotides

Hyaluronic acid filler restores lost volume beneath broad scars. Skin boosters such as Profhilo, and polynucleotides, improve the quality of the skin around them.

Best forVolume loss, skin quality
RecoveryMinimal

Fillers Polynucleotides

Laser resurfacing is covered below.

Laser resurfacing

Smoothing texture and shallow scars

Fractional lasers make thousands of microscopic treatment columns in the skin, which heal with new collagen and a smoother surface. Laser works best once tethered and deep scars have been released and lifted - then it has something useful to do.

ResurFX (non-ablative) works beneath an intact surface, with a few days of redness and swelling
ResurFX is usually 3 to 6 sessions, 4 to 6 weeks apart, and is the safer laser for darker skin
CO2 (ablative) gives the biggest change per session, with a week or more of redness and crusting
CO2 starts with a test patch, then usually 1 or 2 sessions at least 3 months apart
New collagen forms over 3 to 6 months, so results keep improving after each session
Daily sunscreen before and after treatment reduces the risk of pigmentation change

Book a consultation Laser guide

Red marks

Red and pink marks

Flat red marks after acne are caused by extra blood vessels in healing skin. Most fade within months, but when they persist, vascular laser targets those vessels, usually in two to three sessions. See can red marks be treated?

Dark marks

Brown and dark marks

Dark marks are especially common in brown and black skin. Daily sunscreen and creams such as azelaic acid or a retinoid are the foundation; for marks that persist, pico laser breaks up the pigment with a lower risk of making it worse. See dark marks after acne.

Raised scars

Raised and keloid scars

Raised scars are most common on the chest, back and jaw. Small steroid injections soften and flatten them over a few sessions. If you tend to form keloids, I choose procedures very carefully, as some can trigger new raised scars. See keloid scars.

Every skin type

Darker skin

Brown and black skin can darken or lighten after some treatments. I favour subcision, ResurFX laser and carefully applied TCA CROSS, prepare the skin beforehand, and test a small area first where there is any doubt.

What to expect

No treatment removes acne scars completely, and anyone who promises that is overselling. The aim is to make them much less noticeable - and that is very achievable.

A 30 to 50 per cent improvement is realistic, over several visits
Even a modest change is often very noticeable to you and others
Scars keep improving for up to 18 months after acne settles
I usually advise waiting about 6 months after isotretinoin
Scars look worst under overhead light - judge them in soft daylight

Prices

After your consultation you will be given treatment plan options, setting out the cost of each stage before you begin. While individual treatments can be performed on their own, many patients require multiple treatments as a course over 6 to 12 months. The prices below are indicative self-pay prices, including the clinic's facility fee.