Acne Scar Removal in Atlanta, GASmoothing Texture and Fading Marks Without Risking New Pigmentation

Smoother texture through collagen-building treatments planned around your skin tone.

Common In:
Teens and adults after acne
Primary Causes:
Deep inflamed breakouts
Treatment Time:
30-60 minute visits
Results:
Builds over 3-6 months
Smiling adult man with smoother cheek texture after acne scar removal at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, GA
Close-up of rolling and boxcar acne scars on a cheek examined at SOCAH Center dermatology in Atlanta, GA

What Are Acne Scars?

Recognizing the Signs

Acne scars are permanent changes in skin texture that form when deep, inflamed breakouts damage the collagen beneath the surface. Most acne scars are atrophic, meaning the skin heals with a dip or pit because too little collagen was rebuilt. Fewer are raised, when the skin builds too much.

When you run your fingers across your cheeks or catch your reflection under overhead light, you may notice small pits, shallow craters or a wavy surface that makeup settles into rather than covers. Scars are different from the flat brown or red marks a pimple leaves behind, which often fade without procedures.

Acne scars appear in every skin tone, but planning differs. Deeper skin tones carry a higher risk of new pigmentation and of raised scars after aggressive treatment, so acne scar removal is safest with a dermatologist who adjusts every setting for your skin.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD. Last updated: October 2026.

Why Acne Scars Form

Understanding the Root Causes

01The Science

Healing after a breakout runs through inflammation, new tissue formation and remodeling over about 6 to 12 months. Deep nodules and cysts break the follicle wall and spill inflammation into the dermis, where enzymes break down collagen faster than it is replaced. The American Academy of Dermatology overview of acne scars notes that the longer and deeper the inflammation, the more likely a scar.

Dermatologists group scars by shape because each shape responds to different tools:

  • Ice pick scars: narrow, deep openings under 2 mm that reach into the dermis.
  • Boxcar scars: wider depressions with sharp, vertical edges, common on the cheeks and temples.
  • Rolling scars: soft, wave-like dips caused by fibrous bands tethering the skin to deeper tissue.
  • Raised scars: firm hypertrophic or keloid scars, most often on the jawline, chest, shoulders and back.

The single best way to prevent new scars is early, effective treatment for active breakouts, so we often treat acne and scars in sequence.

02Deeper Understanding

Diagnosing and Treating Acne Scars at SOCAH Center

How Scar Type Shapes Your Plan

Your consultation starts with a close exam under angled light to map each scar type, its depth and how active your acne still is. We separate true scars from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, the flat dark marks covered on our dark spots and PIH page, because marks fade with skincare while scars need collagen remodeling.

Treatment Options

Collagen induction with microneedling creates thousands of tiny channels that trigger new collagen while leaving most of the surface intact, which keeps pigment risk low and suits shallow rolling and boxcar scars. RF microneedling for deeper scars adds radiofrequency heat below the surface to tighten tissue and soften tethered scars. For defined boxcar scars and uneven texture, erbium laser skin resurfacing removes thin layers of damaged skin so smoother skin can regrow. Raised scars are a separate path through keloid and raised scar treatment.

Pigment-Safe Planning

For deeper skin tones we clear active acne first, prepare the skin with daily sunscreen and sometimes a lightening cream, choose conservative depth and energy, and space visits further apart. Most plans use a series of 3 to 6 visits rather than one aggressive session.

What Makes Acne Scars More Likely?

Research on acne scarring points to a handful of factors that raise the odds of permanent texture change.

  1. 01Severe Inflammatory AcneDeep nodules and cysts damage far more collagen than whiteheads or blackheads and are the strongest predictor of scarring.
  2. 02Delayed TreatmentMonths or years of untreated breakouts give inflammation more time to break down collagen in the same areas.
  3. 03Picking and SqueezingPressing on a pimple pushes bacteria and inflammation deeper, turning a breakout that would heal into a lasting scar.
  4. 04Family HistoryPeople whose parents or siblings scarred after acne are more likely to scar themselves, including raised scars.
  5. 05Aging SkinCollagen naturally thins with age, so older scars often look deeper over time even when they have not changed.
Modern treatment room with microneedling equipment at SOCAH Center dermatology office in Atlanta, Georgia

Why Choose SOCAH Center for Acne Scar Care in Atlanta, GA

Acne scar plans at SOCAH Center are designed under the direction of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hill for patients across Atlanta, Decatur, Dunwoody and Chamblee. Together we choose the treatments that fit your scar types, skin tone and schedule.

Scar-Type Mapping
Each scar is classified before treatment, so pits, boxcars and rolling scars get the tool that fits them best.
Pigment-Safe Settings
Depth, energy and spacing are calibrated to your skin tone to reduce the risk of new dark marks or raised scars.
Acne Control First
We treat active breakouts alongside scar work, so new scars do not form while old ones improve.
Combination Plans
Microneedling, RF microneedling and resurfacing can be layered over time for deeper, more even results.
Comparison of microneedling, RF microneedling and laser resurfacing for acne scars at SOCAH Center, Atlanta, GA

Treatment Options Comparison

Most acne scar plans use one or more of these treatments, matched to scar type and skin tone.

TreatmentBest ForSession TimeResults TimelineMaintenance
MicroneedlingShallow rolling scars45-60 minutes4-6 weeksSeries of 3-6
RF MicroneedlingDeeper rolling, boxcar scars45-75 minutes6-12 weeksSeries of 3-4
Laser Skin ResurfacingBoxcar scars, rough texture30-60 minutes4-12 weeksSeries, then yearly

Signs You May Have Acne Scars

These signs suggest your marks are true scars that respond best to professional collagen-building treatment.

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  • Pits Under Light

    Small pits or craters stand out under bathroom or office lighting and cast tiny shadows across your cheeks.

  • Wavy Texture

    Your skin looks uneven or rippled from the side, and stretching it gently makes the dips nearly disappear.

  • Makeup Settles In

    Foundation collects in dents instead of smoothing them, so texture looks more obvious once makeup is on.

  • Marks Over a Year Old

    Changes in texture have stayed the same for more than a year, long after the original breakouts cleared.

  • Firm Raised Bumps

    Firm bumps on the jawline, chest or back have formed where breakouts once were and may itch or feel tender.

Related Treatment

Microneedling

Collagen-building microneedling for smoother texture, softer scars and a more even tone.

  1. Your Own Collagen
  2. Gentle on Pigment
  3. Short Recovery
Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

Can acne scars be removed completely?
Acne scars can be improved significantly but rarely erased completely. Most patients see texture smooth by a noticeable degree over a series of treatments, and deeper scars often need a combination of methods. Setting realistic goals at your consultation helps you judge progress. Individual results vary.
How many treatments will I need for acne scars?
Most patients need 3 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Shallow scars may respond to fewer microneedling visits, while deep boxcar or rolling scars often need RF microneedling or resurfacing. Collagen keeps remodeling for months after the last session.
Are acne scar treatments safe for every skin tone?
Yes, when settings are chosen carefully. Microneedling and RF microneedling leave most of the surface intact and carry a low risk of pigment change in skin of color. Laser resurfacing is planned conservatively, with pre-treatment skincare and sun protection to lower the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Should I wait until my acne is gone to treat scars?
Active acne should be under control first, because new breakouts create new scars and inflamed skin heals less predictably. That does not mean waiting years. Many patients start scar treatment once breakouts are mostly controlled with a medical acne plan.
Is acne scar treatment painful?
Most patients describe it as manageable. A topical numbing cream is typically applied before microneedling, RF microneedling and resurfacing, and most people feel pressure, warmth or light prickling. Skin usually looks pink or sunburned for 1 to 3 days afterward.
How much does acne scar removal cost?
Cost depends on how many scars you have, their types, the treatments chosen and the number of sessions. Exact pricing is discussed at your consultation. Acne scar treatment is cosmetic and self-pay, and CareCredit and Cherry financing are available to spread the cost over time.
Location2296 Henderson Mill Rd, Suite 300Atlanta, GA, 30345
Emailinfo@socahcenter.com
Phone(404) 474-2301

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Scientific References

  1. Jennings et al., J Am Acad Dermatol. (2024). Acne scarring-pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention and education: Part I. PMID: 35792196.
  2. Clark et al., Am J Clin Dermatol. (2018). Acne Scars: How Do We Grade Them?. PMID: 28891036.
  3. Liu et al., Skin Res Technol. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors of acne scars in patients with acne vulgaris. PMID: 37357642.
  4. Mujahid et al., Dermatol Surg. (2020). Microneedling as a Treatment for Acne Scarring: A Systematic Review. PMID: 31356435.
  5. Li et al., Arch Dermatol Res. (2024). Comparing the efficacy and safety of microneedling and its combination with other treatments in patients with acne scars: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PMID: 39110247.