Controlling active breakouts is just the first and often more short-lived part of effectively dealing with acne. The scars breakouts leave behind can linger for years. Acne scars often affect the skin’s texture rather than just its color, which means topical skincare approaches are likely to fall short. If this sounds like you, collagen-boosting treatments that encourage remodeling beneath the surface of the skin are the best way to rebuild the skin and repair acne scars.
At San Diego Aesthetics and Medspa in La Mesa, CA, we offer advanced treatments designed to improve acne scarring by tapping into your skin’s ability to repair itself. Options like microneedling and RF treatments can help soften uneven texture and restore smoother skin.
Why Acne Scars Form
Acne scars develop when inflammation from breakouts damages the collagen and tissue beneath the skin. This inflammatory process disrupts the healing process, often leaving you with depressions in the skin or uneven texture. As the skin heals, the body often produces either too little or too much collagen. When too little collagen forms, depressed scars such as rolling or boxcar scars can develop. When too much collagen forms, raised scars may appear.
Acne is an incredibly widespread issue, affecting over 90% of adolescents and persisting into adulthood in about 12% to 14% of cases. That is one reason acne scarring is so common and why early, thoughtful treatment matters.
Microneedling and RF microneedling are two treatments designed specifically to trigger this natural collagen remodeling process.
Why Microneedling And RF Treatments Are Some Of The Most Effective Treatments For Acne Scars
Because acne scars affect the skin’s structure, effective treatment needs to work beneath the surface. Many topical products can improve skin tone or discoloration, but they cannot rebuild the collagen framework that gives skin its smooth texture.
This is why procedures that stimulate the body’s natural healing response have become a cornerstone of acne scar treatment. Techniques such as microneedling and RF microneedling create controlled micro-injuries in the skin that stimulate collagen and elastin production.
As new collagen forms, the skin gradually becomes firmer and more even. Depressed scars can appear shallower, the texture becomes smoother, and the overall quality of the skin improves.
These treatments are designed to work with your body’s natural repair mechanisms rather than replacing tissue or using surgery. Over a series of treatments, collagen remodeling continues to improve the appearance of acne scars while supporting healthier skin.
Which Acne Scar Treatments Do We Provide?
Advanced skin rejuvenation treatments stimulate collagen and improve the appearance of acne scars. At San Diego Aesthetics and Medspa, we offer multiple microneedling-based treatments that can be customized based on the depth and type of scarring.
Each approach targets acne scars slightly differently. Some treatments focus on stimulating collagen near the skin’s surface, while others reach deeper layers to remodel scar tissue more effectively. The following treatments are commonly used to improve acne scars and support smoother skin.
SkinPen® Precision Elite Microneedling
We use the SkinPen® Precision Elite, a medical-grade microneedling device that enables controlled, consistent treatment.
During the procedure, the SkinPen device creates precise microchannels in the skin. These channels activate the body’s natural repair process, encouraging new collagen formation that helps smooth uneven texture caused by acne scars. This option is commonly used for:
- Mild to moderate acne scarring
- Uneven skin texture
- Enlarged pores
- Early signs of aging
When performed as a series, SkinPen microneedling can gradually improve the appearance of scars and create a smoother skin surface.
RF Microneedling With PiXel8
For deeper acne scars, RF microneedling can provide additional benefits.
RF microneedling combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy delivered through the needles. The needles penetrate the skin while releasing controlled heat into deeper layers of tissue. This process remodels scar tissue and stimulates collagen production at greater depths.
We use the PiXel8 RF microneedling system, which allows our providers to customize both needle depth and energy levels based on your skin and scar type. RF microneedling is particularly effective for:
- Rolling acne scars
- Boxcar scars
- Deeper textural irregularities
- Skin laxity combined with scarring
Because the treatment reaches deeper layers of the skin, it can produce more dramatic collagen remodeling than standard microneedling alone.
Microneedling With PRP Or PRF
Microneedling treatments can also be enhanced with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). These treatments use a small sample of your own blood. After the blood is processed, the platelet-rich portion containing growth factors is applied to the skin during microneedling.
Because microneedling creates microchannels in the skin, the PRP or PRF can penetrate more deeply, supporting tissue repair and skin regeneration. Benefits of adding PRP or PRF may include:
- Enhanced collagen production
- Improved healing response
- Faster recovery after treatment
- Increased skin radiance
Many patients choose this combination to maximize the results of their acne scar treatment plan.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Acne Scar Treatments?
You may be a good candidate for microneedling or RF microneedling if you:
- Have mild to moderate acne scars
- Want to improve uneven skin texture
- Prefer non-surgical treatment options
- Are in good overall health
- Have realistic expectations about gradual improvements
Patients with deeper scars may benefit from RF microneedling or a combination treatment plan tailored to their skin.
Improve the Appearance of Acne Scars
Collagen is the key to treating acne scars in a truly lasting and effective way. Options such as SkinPen® microneedling, RF microneedling and microneedling enhanced with PRP or PRF can help smooth uneven texture and encourage healthier skin regeneration. By targeting scar tissue beneath the surface, these treatments gradually soften depressed scars and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
At San Diego Aesthetics and Medspa in La Mesa, CA, we offer advanced skincare treatments designed to address acne scars and support long-term skin health. If you are ready to explore your options, contact us online or call (619) 393-2996 to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acne Scar Treatments
How many microneedling sessions will I need for acne scars?
Most patients need a series of treatments to see meaningful improvement in acne scarring. Typically, three to six sessions spaced four to six weeks apart is a common starting point, though the number of treatments depends on the depth and type of your scars. Shallow or mild scarring may respond well to a shorter series, while deeper scars often benefit from additional sessions or an upgrade to RF microneedling.
Which type of microneedling should I choose for my acne scars?
For patients with rolling scars, boxcar scars, or deeper textural irregularities, RF microneedling with the PiXel8 system can produce more significant collagen remodeling than microneedling alone.
Is there downtime after microneedling or RF microneedling?
You can generally expect some redness and mild swelling in the days following treatment, similar to a sunburn. Most patients feel comfortable returning to their regular routine within a day or two after standard microneedling. RF microneedling typically involves a slightly longer recovery due to the deeper energy delivery, but downtime is still relatively minimal compared to more aggressive resurfacing procedures.
Can microneedling help with both acne scars and active breakouts?
Microneedling is best suited for treating the scarring and textural changes that surface after breakouts have resolved, rather than active acne. Treating skin with active inflammation can increase the risk of irritation or spreading bacteria. If you are still managing breakouts alongside scarring, our team can help you develop a plan that addresses both concerns in the right sequence.
What results can I realistically expect from acne scar treatments at San Diego Aesthetics and Medspa?
Microneedling and RF microneedling can produce meaningful improvements in acne scar texture, but results develop gradually as new collagen forms over weeks and months following each session. Most patients see progressive softening of depressed scars, smoother overall skin texture, and improvement in skin quality with each treatment.
