Improving the appearance of acne scars is possible through a range of professional treatments available in Fresno, CA. At Minarets Medical Group, advanced technologies and proven techniques – from laser resurfacing and chemical peels to microneedling and dermal fillers – are used to create personalized plans that reduce scar visibility and restore smoother, healthier-looking skin. The key is to match the right treatment to your specific scar type and skin goals.
For many, the battle with acne doesn’t end when the pimple disappears. The lingering marks and textural changes left behind can be a significant source of frustration. Understanding what these scars are and why they form is the first step toward effectively treating them.
Acne scars are the result of the skin’s natural healing process after inflammation. When a pimple, cyst, or nodule forms, it creates inflammation within the dermis (the deeper layer of skin). The body tries to repair this damage by producing new collagen fibers.
If too little collagen is produced, the result is a depressed or atrophic scar. If too much collagen is produced, a raised or hypertrophic scar can form. The severity of the scarring often relates to the severity and duration of the inflammation.
Not all acne scars are the same. Identifying the type of scar you have is crucial because it dictates the most effective treatment path. Scars are broadly categorized as either atrophic (depressed) or hypertrophic (raised).
These are the most common types of acne scars, caused by a loss of tissue and collagen during the healing process.
Boxcar Scars. Boxcar scars are broad, box-like depressions with sharply defined edges. They can be shallow or deep and are caused by widespread inflammation that destroys collagen, leaving a sunken area on the skin.
Ice Pick Scars. Ice pick scars are deep, narrow pits that look as though the skin has been punctured with a sharp object. They are often the most challenging to treat because they extend deep into the dermis. They typically result from an infected cyst or blemish working its way to the surface.
Rolling Scars. Rolling scars create a wavy or uneven texture on the skin’s surface. They have sloping edges that make the skin look undulating. This appearance is due to fibrous bands of tissue that form between the skin’s surface and the subcutaneous tissue below, pulling the epidermis down.
Unlike atrophic scars, hypertrophic scars occur when the body produces too much collagen in response to the initial acne wound. These scars are raised, firm bumps on the skin’s surface. They are most common on the chest, back, and jawline.
Modern dermatology offers a powerful arsenal of non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments that can dramatically improve skin texture and tone.
Laser treatments use focused light energy to either remove the outer layer of skin or stimulate collagen production in the underlying layers without harming the surface.
Ablative lasers remove thin layers of skin with high precision, revealing smoother, younger-looking skin underneath.
Non-ablative lasers work by heating the underlying skin tissue (dermis) to stimulate new collagen growth, which helps tighten the skin and improve texture from within.
At our Fresno practice, several advanced laser systems are used to target different types of scars and skin concerns:
PicoSure Laser: Delivers ultra-short pulses of energy to the skin. It’s particularly effective for breaking down pigment in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and can improve the texture of shallow scars with minimal downtime.
Cutera Laser: A versatile platform to address a variety of concerns, including redness and textural irregularities associated with acne scarring.
Clear + Brilliant: A gentle fractional laser that creates millions of microscopic treatment zones in the upper layers of the skin, replacing damaged skin with healthy tissue and stimulating collagen. It’s an excellent option for mild scarring and improving overall skin texture.
Laser treatments can provide significant improvement for many types of atrophic scars, reduce hyperpigmentation, and create a more uniform skin surface.
Chemical peels involve applying a chemical solution to the skin, which causes it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. The new, regenerated skin is usually smoother and less scarred than the old skin.
The depth of the peel depends on the type of chemical used and its concentration. Several options are tailored to different needs:
Glycolic Acid Peel: A type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) peel that is great for superficial exfoliation, improving mild scarring and discoloration.
Sali-Peel: Uses salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that penetrates into the pores, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin. It helps with exfoliation and can improve the appearance of shallow scars.
Reve Peel: A medium-depth peel designed to provide significant improvement in skin texture, tone, and the appearance of moderate acne scars.
Chemical peels are effective for shallow atrophic scars and can also help manage active acne, which is a key step in preventing new scars from forming.
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, uses a device with fine needles to create tiny, controlled punctures in the skin. These micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural wound-healing response, stimulating the production of new collagen and elastin. This process helps to “fill in” atrophic scars from the inside out. Microneedling is a highly effective treatment for boxcar and rolling scars.
This advanced treatment combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy. As the needles create micro-channels in the skin, they also deliver RF energy deep into the dermis. This heat further enhances collagen and elastin production, leading to more significant skin tightening and scar revision than microneedling alone. Technologies like our Evoke Facial Remodeling system utilize RF energy to remodel tissue, demonstrating the power of this technology in skin rejuvenation.
PRP therapy supercharges the microneedling process. A small amount of your own blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which are rich in growth factors. This concentrated PRP is then applied to the skin during or after microneedling. These growth factors accelerate healing and boost collagen production, enhancing the scar-reducing effects of the treatment. PRP injections are offered as a powerful add-on to skin rejuvenation procedures.
For certain types of depressed scars, dermal fillers can provide an immediate improvement. A filler substance, such as one from the Restylane or Juvederm families, is injected directly beneath the scar to lift the depression and make it level with the surrounding skin. Some fillers, like Sculptra and Radiesse, also stimulate your body’s own collagen production for longer-lasting results. This is an effective way to address specific, noticeable boxcar or rolling scars.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) therapy uses different wavelengths of light to target various skin concerns. Blue light can help kill acne-causing bacteria, while red light reduces inflammation and promotes healing. At Minarets Medical Group, light therapy can be an excellent complementary treatment to reduce the redness associated with acne and new scars and support the healing process after other procedures.
Microdermabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure that gently sands the skin, removing the thicker, uneven outer layer. It uses a device with an abrasive surface to exfoliate and a suction to remove the dead skin cells. While it is too gentle for deep scars, it can be effective for improving the appearance of very shallow scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, leaving the skin looking brighter and feeling smoother.
For raised hypertrophic scars, injections are often the primary treatment. Corticosteroid injections can be administered directly into the scar tissue to reduce inflammation and break down the excess collagen, causing the scar to flatten and soften over time.
While in-office procedures deliver the most dramatic results, a consistent at-home skincare routine with active ingredients is essential for supporting those results and improving overall skin health.
AHAs like glycolic acid gently exfoliate the surface of the skin, helping to make scars appear less noticeable over time.
A milder AHA that also provides exfoliation and can help lighten post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Topical retinoids (like retinol and tretinoin) are vitamin A derivatives that speed up cell turnover and stimulate collagen production. This helps to smooth out texture and reduce the appearance of scars.
This BHA exfoliates the skin and helps keep pores clear, which is crucial for preventing the new breakouts that could lead to more scars.
This is the most critical topical product. Sun exposure can darken scars and hyperpigmentation, making them more prominent. Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is non-negotiable when treating acne scars.
Often mistaken for scarring, the dark or red spots left behind after a pimple has healed are called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This is not a true scar, as there is no permanent damage to the collagen. However, it can be just as distressing.
Many of the same treatments used for textural scars are also highly effective for PIH:
Laser Treatments: The PicoSure laser is particularly adept at shattering pigment particles without damaging the surrounding skin.
Chemical Peels: Peels like those containing glycolic or salicylic acid accelerate skin turnover, helping to shed the pigmented cells more quickly.
Topicals: Ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C, and AHAs are essential for fading these spots at home.
Light Therapy: Light therapy can help reduce the redness (post-inflammatory erythema) that often accompanies PIH.
The most effective approach to treating acne scars often involves using multiple modalities. Because most people have several different types of scars, a single treatment is rarely enough to address them all.
A provider at Minarets Medical Group might design a plan that looks something like this:
Microneedling with PRP to rebuild collagen in atrophic scars, alternated with Clear + Brilliant laser sessions to improve overall texture and tone.
A series of Sali-Peels to control active acne and treat shallow scars, followed by PicoSure laser treatments to address lingering PIH and deeper textural issues.
Using dermal fillers to immediately lift a few prominent boxcar scars, while simultaneously starting a series of microneedling treatments to improve overall skin quality for long-term results.
Combining treatments allows us to target different aspects of scarring simultaneously. We can address depth, texture, and discoloration in a comprehensive way, leading to more significant and satisfying improvements than any single treatment could achieve on its own.
A wide array of effective treatments exists to improve the texture, depth, and color of acne scars. From advanced laser technology and collagen-inducing microneedling to targeted chemical peels and injectable fillers, a customized plan can significantly restore your skin’s smoothness and your confidence. The journey begins with a professional consultation to create your personalized roadmap to clearer skin.
About the Author
LEAH PRESS, M.D.
August 14, 2026
