Acne scars can be lasting reminders of past breakouts. They often affect skin texture, tone, and confidence — but the good news is that they don’t have to be permanent.
With today’s advanced acne scar treatments, it’s possible to visibly smooth, even, and rejuvenate your skin for a clearer, healthier complexion.
This guide explains what causes acne scars, how to prevent new scars, and which professional acne scar treatments in Calgary are most effective.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Acne scars develop when inflammation from breakouts damage the deeper layers of the skin. During the healing process, the skin may produce too little collagen, leading to indented scars, or too much collagen, resulting in raised scars.
Main Types of Acne Scars
- Ice pick scars: Small, deep pits resembling enlarged pores
- Boxcar scars: Broad, sharply defined depressions
- Rolling scars: Shallow, wave-like unevenness
- Keloid scars: Raised scars
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): Dark marks left behind after acne heals
Identifying your scar type is essential to choosing the right acne scar removal treatment.
How to Prevent Acne Scars
While professional procedures can significantly reduce scarring, a consistent home routine helps minimize new scars and support skin healing.
At-Home Tips for Managing Mild Scars
- Apply sunscreen daily: Prevents UV damage that darkens scars and pigmentation
- Use topical retinoids: Stimulates collagen and speeds up skin cell renewal
- Exfoliate gently: Helps refine texture and fade discoloration
- Choose non-comedogenic skincare: Maintains a healthy barrier without clogging pores
A balanced skincare routine also helps maintain long-term results after professional treatments.
Best Professional Acne Scar Treatments in Calgary
For moderate to severe acne scarring, professional treatments provide the most visible and lasting improvement.
A qualified skincare professional can create a personalized treatment plan based on your skin type, scar depth, and desired results.
- RF Microneedling (Radiofrequency Microneedling)
RF Microneedling combines traditional microneedling with controlled radiofrequency energy to trigger deeper collagen remodeling.
Tiny needles create micro-injuries while RF heat energy penetrates the dermis, stimulating new collagen and tightening the skin.
Best for: Indented scars, rough texture, skin laxity
Benefits: Improves tone, firmness, and texture with minimal downtime; effective for most skin types - RF Fractional Skin Resurfacing
RF Fractional Skin Resurfacing is one of the most advanced technologies for acne scar reduction. It delivers radiofrequency energy through a fractional grid, targeting both the skin’s surface and deeper layers.
Unlike traditional laser resurfacing, RF fractional technology uses thermal energy instead of light, making it safer for various skin tones. The controlled heat stimulates collagen and elastin production, while the fractional delivery pattern allows for faster healing and minimal downtime.
Best for: Deep acne scars, rough texture, enlarged pores, and mild skin laxity
Benefits:
- Smooths and tightens skin texture
- Reduces the appearance and depth of scars
- Refines pores and improves skin tone
- Minimal risk and short recovery time
- Chemical Peels and Dermaplaning Combination
Chemical peels use medical-grade solutions to exfoliate the outer skin layers and reveal new, smoother skin beneath.
For enhanced results, dermaplaning can be performed just before a chemical peel to remove dead skin cells and fine vellus hair, allowing the peel to penetrate deeper and more evenly.
This combination delivers a more intensive exfoliation and brighter, smoother results — especially beneficial for uneven texture or mild scarring.
Best for: Pigmentation, mild acne scars, uneven skin tone, dull complexion
Benefits:
- Brightens and refines skin texture
- Enhances product absorption and effectiveness
- Smooths fine lines and post-acne discoloration
- Provides immediate visible glow
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy
PRP Therapy uses growth factors from your own blood to accelerate healing and collagen renewal.
It is often paired with microneedling or RF treatments for enhanced rejuvenation.
Best for: Textural irregularities and dull skin
Benefits: Natural skin regeneration, improved firmness, smoother texture, and a healthy glow
- Combination Treatments
Combining multiple acne scar treatments often provides the most comprehensive results.
For example, RF microneedling with PRP or fractional RF resurfacing combined with a chemical peel or dermaplaning can target multiple layers of the skin, delivering deeper, more uniform results.
Best for: Mixed scar types or persistent textural issues
Benefits: Multi-dimensional improvement with greater scar reduction and smoother, firmer skin
Choosing the Right Acne Scar Treatment
The right approach depends on your skin type, scar pattern, and overall skin health.
A professional skin consultation including a Visia Skin Analysis helps identify your needs and ensures treatments are both safe and effective.
The Bottom Line
Acne scars are common — but they don’t have to be permanent.
With the right combination of professional treatments such as RF Microneedling, RF Fractional Skin Resurfacing, Chemical Peels with Dermaplaning, and PRP Therapy, you can restore smoother, more even skin and renewed confidence.
