How To Treat Acne Scars: Best Treatments For Every Scar Type

Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

“Gio, what are the best skincare products to treat acne scars?” I hate this question. I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news. I know it’s devastating to get rid of acne, only to be left with raised, pitted scars all over your face. Ugh. But I can’t lie to you either and tell you that drugstore glycolic acid exfoliant is gonna do the deed. It won’t.

The ugly truth is that topical skincare can’t treat acne scars. If you want to get rid of them once and for all, you need to see a board-certified dermatologist. The treatment you get depends on the type of acne scars you’re dealing with. Here’s a quick guide to the 5 most common kinds of acne scars with good options on how to treat them:

How To Identify Your Type Of Acne Scars

Not all acne scars look the same. Some leave tiny holes in your skin. Others create deep dents or raised bumps. And those dark marks left behind by pimples? They’re not actually scars! Here’s how to tell what you’re dealing with and which treatments can help:

Keep in mind that these are common treatment options, not one-size-fits-all solutions. Your dermatologist will recommend the best treatment based on your scar type, skin tone and how severe the scarring is.

And if you’re dealing with more than one type of acne scar? That’s perfectly normal. You may need a combination of treatments to get the best results. Now, let’s take a closer look at each type and the best acne scar treatment for it.

What Are The Best Ingredients For Acne Scars?

Retinol, glycolic acid, vitamin C… According to the internet, all you need to get rid of acne scars is the right skincare serum. If only! Here’s the problem: real acne scars aren’t just marks on the surface of your skin. They’re damage to the skin itself. 

When a nasty pimple destroys collagen (the protein that keeps your skin firm and plump), it can leave a hole behind. And no amount of exfoliating is going to magically fill it back up. Sorry! But does that mean skincare ingredients are completely useless for acne scars? Not quite. Here’s what the science says:

• Retinoids: These are your best bet if you want to improve the appearance of mild acne scars. Retinoids stimulate collagen production, helping your skin repair some of the damage. In one study, adapalene 0.3% improved the appearance of pitted acne scars. Impressive! Keep in mind, adapalene is a prescription-strength retinoid. OTC retinoids aren’t so powerful!
• Salicylic acid: My favourite ingredient for unclogging pores and keeping acne under control. The fewer nasty breakouts you get, the lower your chances of developing new scars. But it does nothing for repairing actual scars.
• Glycolic acid: This exfoliating superstar removes dead cells from the surface of your skin, so it looks smoother and brighter. But smoother skin isn’t the same as repaired scars. Your glycolic acid toner isn’t strong enough to fix a deep boxcar scar. Professional chemical peels are a different story (we’ll get to those later).
• Vitamin C: Fantastic for fighting free radicals, supporting collagen production and fading dark spots. But don’t let the collagen claim fool you. Vitamin C in skincare can’t help with any types of scars.
• Azelaic acid: If you’re dealing with acne AND the dark marks it leaves behind, I’m a fan. It helps fight acne and interferes with excess melanin production, so those brown spots gradually fade. But it won’t do much for actual dents in your skin.
• Niacinamide: Another goodie for uneven skin tone. It works by reducing the transfer of melanin to the surface cells of your skin, helping dark spots fade over time. Plus, it strengthens your skin’s protective barrier. Again, it doesn’t do anything for scars. *sighs*

See the pattern? Most of the ingredients marketed for acne scars are actually better at treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the dark spots left behind by pimples. These are NOT scars. If that’s what you’re dealing with, check out my guide on how to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. But if you’ve got actual holes, dents or raised scars? Topical skincare won’t do anything. Read on to find out what will.

How To Treat Icepick Scars

Icepick scars are tiny, narrow holes in your skin. They look like someone took a needle (or ice pick) and punctured your skin with it. Ouch! Blame it on hormones. They give you cystic acne – those deep, super painful pimples on your jawline, cheeks and chin. In the process, your skin loses too much collagen. Your skin tissue falls apart, leaving tiny holes behind. Icepick scars are tricky to treat, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them. Here’s what works:

• Chemical peels: These use high concentrations of exfoliating acids to remove dead cells and boost collagen, helping skin to heal itself and close the “holes”. Studies show that peels consisting of Jessner’s solution followed by 35% TCA, for example, helps reduce scars – but results are modest. For deeper ice pick scars, TCA CROSS may work better. It uses the same acid (TCA), but at much higher concentrations (65–100%). Instead of applying it all over your face, your dermatologist places a tiny amount directly inside each scar. This stimulates collagen production deep within the scar, gradually making the hole shallower. You’ll need several treatments to see results, but it’s one of the more promising options for stubborn ice pick scars.
• Laser resurfacing: The latest generation of lasers stimulates the production of collagen to heal scars with impressive results and minimal to no downtime. They work by creating controlled damage in your skin to kick-start new collagen production. As your skin heals, scars can become less noticeable. The catch? Deep ice pick scars often need another treatment first, and depending on the laser, you could be dealing with redness, peeling and downtime.
• Punch incision: Your dermatologist uses a tiny circular blade, roughly the size of the scar, to cut it out completely. Then they close the little wound with stitches. Yes, you’re technically replacing one scar with another, but the new scar is usually flatter and easier to disguise or improve with laser treatment. It’s a good option for deep ice pick scars that won’t respond well to other treatments.

Related: Can Glycolic Acid Peels Treat Acne Scars?

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes wrinkles AND acne? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Acne + Aging Skin” to get started (it features product recommendations + right application order):

How To Treat Keloid Acne Scars

Keloids acne scars are raised, discoloured, bumpy lumps that can grow way larger than the wound they’re healing. Often, they don’t stop growing even after it’s healed! WT…?! Here’s how it happens: when your skin’s broken, your skin produces collagen to repair it. Normally, your body knows when the job’s done. But if it can’t tell and keeps pumping out collagen long after the wound has healed, you’re left with a keloid scar. How to treat this raised scar? You’re spoiled for choices here:

• Cortisone shot/cream: This is usually the first thing your derm will try to shrink the scar. Basically, he injects a steroid directly into the keloid to calm inflammation and slow down excessive collagen production. Over time, this can flatten and soften the scar. You’ll usually need several injections, and sadly it doesn’t often wor because they don’t penetrate deeply enough.
• Laser treatment: This usually reduces redness but is unlikely to make the scar itself that much smaller. Your dermatologist may combine them with steroid injections for better results.
• Retinoic acid: Daily application of 0.05% retinoid acid can reduce the appearance of acne scars by up to 79%! It works by bringing collagen production back under control. FYI, nope, topical retinol doesn’t work. You need the harsh prescription stuff for this.
• Silicone gel sheeting: Together with corticosteroid, this is the best treatment to get rid of keloid scars. They keep the scar covered and hydrated, helping reduce its thickness, redness and discomfort. Problem is, it’s cumbersome and lots of patients quit before they can see results. If you go down this routine, stick with it for several months.
• Cryotherapy: This involves freezing the keloid to damage the excess scar tissue and gradually shrink it. Studies show it works better on smaller keloids, but it can cause changes in skin colour, especially in darker skin tones
• Surgery: If the scar is huge and really bothers you, you can ask your derm to surgically remove it. I personally don’t recommend it because the nasty bugger often grows right back!!

How To Treat Boxcar Acne Scars

Boxcar scars are shallow, round or oval depressions with sharp edges. Like icepick scars, they give your skin a pitted look. They happen when inflammatory acne destroys collagen, making you lose skin tissue. Left without support, that patch of skin gets pulled down, created a depressed, pitted area. You can treat boxcar acne scars in several ways, some more effective (and painful!) than others:

• Derma fillers: Think Juvederm or Restylane. They’re the quickest way to fill in depressed acne scars. But, you guessed it, the results are temporary. You need to top up treatment regularly.
• Fat transfer: Your skin is often subcised before fat is transferred to fill in the scar. But results can be unpredictable. Your body absorbs some of the transferred fat, so you may need a top-up.
• Laser treatments: They trigger your skin to produce more collagen, but are best used together with other treatments. Fractional lasers are a good option for shallow boxcar scars. They make tiny injuries in your skin, tricking it into producing more collagen to repair the damage. 
• Punch incision: Your derm cuts out the scar before resurfacing the area. For deep boxcar scars, there’s another clever trick called punch elevation. Instead of cutting out the entire scar, your derm lifts its bottom until it’s level with the surrounding skin. Studies show combining punch elevation with laser resurfacing can give better results than lasers alone
• Subcision: In this surgical procedure, your derm cuts the fibrous base of the scar that’s pulling the skin down. Afterwards, your skin looks much smoother. It’s only useful for boxcar scars that are being pulled down by scar tissue underneath, though.

How To Treat Rolling Acne Scars

Rolling acne scars give your skin a wavy texture. They make you look like you have some hills all over your face. They’re soft and not sharply defined. You’re more likely to get rolling acne scars if you suffer from long-term inflammatory acne. Overtime, bands of tissues form between your skin and the subcutaneous tissue below. These bands pull the epidermis, making it lose its natural tightness and elasticity. You have a few options to treat rolling acne scars.

• Derma fillers: Think Juvederm or Restylane. They’re the quickest way to get rid of rolling acne scars. But, you guessed it, the results are temporary. You need to top up treatment regularly. You need to top up treatment regularly. If the scar is being pulled down by thick bands of tissue, though, your derm may need to release them first. Otherwise, you’re trying to fill a dent that’s still being pulled down.
• Laser treatments: They boost collagen production and resurface the top layers of your skin. But you need numerous treatments to see significant results. And if those bands of scar tissue are still pulling your skin down, even all that extra collagen may not be enough.
• Subcision: In this surgical procedure, your derm cuts the fibrous base of the scar that’s pulling the skin down. Afterwards, your skin looks much smoother. It basically gets rid of what’s causing the problem in the first place. You may need more than one treatment.

How To Treat Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the dark mark a pimple has left behind after healing. It’s not a type of acne scar, but many people confuse it with scarring so it makes the list. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation happens when a pimple inflames your skin. During the healing process, your skin pumps out too much melanin (the pigment that gives your skin its beautiful, natural colour), leaving behind a dark mark. Post-Inflammatory hyperpigmentation slowly disappears on its own. But you can speed up the healing process – and at home, too. Here’s how:

• Glycolic Acid: My favourite exfoliating ingredient, glycolic acid removes the darker, more damaged cells on the surface of the skin and exposes the newer, more even-toned ones that were lurking underneath. While it’s at it, it also hydrates skin and boosts collagen. See why it’s my fave now?
• Retinol: Like all forms of Vitamin A, retinol speeds up cellular turnover, the skin’s natural exfoliating process. This means that damaged, dark cells slough off leaving brighter ones in their wake. Plus, it boosts collagen and kicks free radicals in the butt.
• Vitamin C: This antiaging superstar is better known for its wrinkle-fighting properties but it also fades dark spots and brightens the complexion.
• Arbutin: An extract derived from bearberry leaves, it turns into hydroquinone in the body (but doesn’t have its side effects). It stops melanin production in its tracks.
• Hydroquinone: The gold standard in treating all kinds of dark spots and pigmentation. It works by inhibiting the production of melanin but it’s harsh and can cause ochronosis (gives skin a bluish tint) in darker skin tones.

Best picks:

• Alpha Skin Care Dual Action Skin Lightener ($10.99): available at Dermstore and Ulta
• Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster ($36.00/£37.00): available at Dermstore, Net-A-Porter and Paula’s Choice
• Paula’s Choice Resist 1% Retinol Booster ($52.00): 1% retinol. Available at Feel Unique and Paula’s Choice
• Skinceuticals Phyto Plus ($86.00): available at Blue Mercury and Dermstore
• The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% ($10.00): available at Asos, Cult Beauty, Feel Unique, Sephora, and Ulta

Related: How To Treat And Prevent Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

How To Prevent Acne Scars

Want to know the best way to treat acne scars? Don’t get them in the first place! I know, easier said than done. But while you can’t always prevent acne scars, you can seriously lower your chances of getting them. Here’s how:

• Treat acne ASAP: Don’t wait until your face is covered in angry, inflamed pimples before doing something about it. The longer acne hangs around, the more damage it can do to your skin. In fact, a study found that treating acne with adapalene and benzoyl peroxide reduced the number of scars by 15.5% over 24 weeks. Meanwhile, the untreated side developed MORE scars. See why I’m always banging on about treating acne early?
• Stop popping your pimples: I know, there’s something oddly satisfying about squeezing a huge, juicy zit. But every time you pick at a pimple, you risk pushing inflammation deeper into your skin and damaging the surrounding tissue. No wonder studies link picking and squeezing pimples to a higher risk of acne scars. That moment of satisfaction really isn’t worth a permanent scar.

FAQs

Can Acne Scars Go Away Naturally?

I wish! Some mild acne scars may become less noticeable over time as your skin produces new collagen. But deep ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars? They’re unlikely to disappear on their own. Once your skin has lost that much tissue, it needs a little help to repair the damage. And by help, I mean professional treatments, not another expensive serum.

How Long Does It Take To See Results From Acne Scar Treatments?

Don’t expect overnight miracles! Fillers can make scars look better almost immediately, although you may have some swelling at first. Treatments that stimulate collagen, like lasers and microneedling, take longer because your skin needs time to make new collagen. You’ll usually need several sessions spread over weeks or months, and improvements can continue for months afterwards. Patience, unfortunately, is part of the deal.

The Bottom Line

Acne scars are stubborn little buggers, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them forever. The trick is figuring out what type of scar you have and choosing the right treatment for it. What works wonders for rolling scars may do absolutely nothing for ice pick scars. And please, don’t waste a fortune on skincare products promising to erase deep acne scars. They can’t. A good dermatologist can help you figure out which treatments are worth your time and money.