Acne Scar Treatment in Singapore
Acne scars can develop when inflammation from acne damages the deeper layers of the skin and disrupts the normal healing process. The resulting scars can vary considerably in their shape, depth and underlying structure.
For this reason, acne scar treatment is rarely a one-size-fits-all process. Ice pick scars, boxcar scars and rolling scars have different characteristics and may respond to different treatment approaches.
At Radium Medical Aesthetics, acne scar treatment begins with an assessment of the type, depth and distribution of the scars, as well as factors such as skin type, active acne, pigmentation and previous treatments. Depending on the scar pattern, a combination of treatments may be recommended rather than relying on a single procedure.
Why Acne Scar Treatment Should Be Based on Scar Type
Acne scars are not a single condition. It is common for one person to have several types of scars at the same time, together with post-acne redness or pigmentation.
Different acne scars also occur at different depths within the skin. A treatment that is appropriate for a shallow boxcar scar may not adequately address a deep ice pick scar or a rolling scar that is tethered to deeper tissue.
An effective acne scar treatment plan therefore starts by identifying what type of scars are present and what is causing the visible depression or textural irregularity.
This allows the doctor to select treatments according to the individual scar rather than treating the entire face in exactly the same way.
What Type of Acne Scars Do You Have?
In general, acne scars fall into two main categories:
ATROPHIC SCARS (DEPRESSED SCARS) These scars form when the skin cannot produce enough collagen during the healing process. As a result, the skin appears uneven or sunken in certain areas. Atrophic scars are most commonly caused by severe acne or chickenpox.
HYPERTROPHIC SCARS (RAISED SCARS) These occur when the body produces too much collagen, resulting in a raised scar that sits above the surrounding skin. In some cases, scar tissue grows beyond the original wound – this is known as a keloid.
For the purpose of this article, we will focus on atrophic scars, as they are the most common form of acne scarring treated at aesthetic clinics in Singapore.
Common Types of Atrophic Acne Scars
If you’ve experienced acne breakouts in the past, you may have one or a combination of the following scar types:
ICE PICK SCARS Ice pick scars are narrow, deep depressions that extend into the deeper layers of the skin. They often appear as small puncture-like openings and can be more difficult to treat with resurfacing alone. Depending on their depth and characteristics, treatments such as TCA CROSS may be considered, sometimes together with other acne scar treatments.
ROLLING SCARS Rolling scars tend to be broader depressions with sloping edges, creating an uneven or wave-like appearance across the skin. Some rolling scars are caused by fibrous bands tethering the skin to deeper tissue. In these cases, resurfacing the surface alone may not adequately address the underlying cause. Subcision may be considered to release selected tethered scars.
BOXCAR SCARS Boxcar scars are typically round or oval depressions with fairly sharp, well-defined edges. They often look like small craters or indentations in the skin. They are usually wider than ice-pick scars and can be either shallow or relatively deep.
Acne Scars vs Acne Marks: What's the Difference?
Acne scars and acne marks are often confused, but they are not the same.
Acne scars involve a structural change in the skin, such as a depression, indentation or raised area. These result from changes in collagen and tissue during the healing process.
Post-acne marks, on the other hand, are primarily changes in skin colour. These may appear as persistent redness or brown pigmentation after an acne lesion has healed.
Some patients have both textural acne scars and post-acne pigmentation or redness. Because these concerns may require different treatments, identifying what is actually present is an important part of treatment planning.
Which Treatments Are Used for Different Acne Scars?
There is no single treatment that is suitable for every acne scar. Depending on the scar type and individual assessment, treatments that may be considered include:
Treatment selection depends on factors such as scar depth, skin type, active acne, previous treatments and individual healing response. The appropriate approach should therefore be determined following a medical assessment.
Acne Scar Treatments Available in Singapore
SUBCISION FOR ROLLING AND TETHERED ACNE SCARS Subcision is a procedure used for selected depressed acne scars, particularly scars that are tethered to deeper tissue.
A specialised needle or cannula is introduced beneath the scar to release fibrous bands that are pulling the skin downwards. Releasing these attachments allows the depressed area to lift and also initiates a healing response within the treated tissue.
Subcision may be used on its own or as part of a combination treatment plan with procedures such as RF microneedling or fractional laser resurfacing.
Learn more about subcision treatment in Singapore →
TCA CROSS FOR DEEP ACNE SCARS TCA CROSS, or Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars, involves the careful application of trichloroacetic acid at high concentration directly into selected acne scars. Rather than treating the entire face, the treatment is applied focally to individual scars to initiate a controlled healing and collagen-remodelling response.
TCA CROSS may be considered particularly for selected deep or ice pick acne scars, although suitability depends on the characteristics of the individual scar and the patient’s skin.
Learn more about TCA CROSS treatment in Singapore →
RF MICRONEEDLING FOR ACNE SCARS RF microneedling combines microneedles with radiofrequency energy delivered at selected depths beneath the skin. The controlled treatment stimulates a healing and collagen-remodelling response and may be considered for selected atrophic acne scars, uneven texture and areas requiring dermal remodelling.
Treatment depth and energy can be adjusted according to the area and characteristics of the scars. Depending on the patient’s scar pattern, RF microneedling may also form part of a combination treatment plan.
Learn more about RF microneedling for acne scars in Singapore →
FRACTIONAL CO2 LASER FOR ACNE SCARS Fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing creates controlled microscopic treatment zones within the skin while leaving surrounding areas untreated. This stimulates skin renewal and collagen remodelling and may be considered for selected atrophic acne scars and uneven skin texture.
The intensity of treatment and expected recovery period vary according to the patient’s skin, scar severity and treatment settings. Fractional CO₂ laser may also be combined with other acne scar treatments when different types of scars are present.
Learn more about CO2 laser for acne scars in Singapore →
Why Acne Scars May Require Combination Treatment
Many patients have more than one type of acne scar.
For example, a person may have tethered rolling scars together with deep ice pick scars, shallow boxcar scars and post-acne pigmentation. Because these concerns have different structural characteristics, one treatment may not address all of them equally.
A doctor may therefore recommend a staged or combination approach.
For example, selected tethered rolling scars may first be treated with subcision to release deeper attachments. Fractional laser resurfacing or RF microneedling may subsequently be used to address skin texture and collagen remodelling, while TCA CROSS may be considered for selected deeper scars.
The appropriate combination, treatment intensity and interval between sessions should be customised according to the patient’s scars, skin characteristics and recovery.
Can Acne Scars Be Completely Removed?
It is important to have realistic expectations when undergoing acne scar treatment.
Treatment aims to improve the depth, texture and overall appearance of acne scars, rather than promise complete removal of every scar. The amount of improvement varies according to the type and severity of scarring, treatment selected, number of sessions, skin characteristics and individual healing response.
Deeper or more complex scars may require several treatment modalities or sessions over time.
When Should Active Acne Be Treated?
If a patient continues to experience active inflammatory acne, controlling ongoing breakouts may be an important part of the overall treatment plan.
Treating scars while new inflammatory acne continues to form can result in new scars developing even as existing scars are being treated.
The doctor may therefore recommend addressing active acne before, or alongside, selected acne scar treatments.
How Many Acne Scar Treatment Sessions Are Needed?
The number of treatments required varies considerably between patients.
Some scars may respond to a relatively small number of targeted procedures, while patients with more extensive or mixed scarring may require a series of treatments using different modalities.
Factors that influence the treatment plan include the type and depth of scars, treatment selected, skin characteristics, healing response and degree of improvement desired.
A treatment plan can be recommended after the scars have been assessed in person.
How Much Does Acne Scar Treatment Cost in Singapore?
The cost of acne scar treatment in Singapore varies depending on the type and severity of acne scars, treatment selected, treatment area and number of sessions required. As many patients have more than one type of acne scar, the overall treatment plan and cost can differ between individuals.
At Radium Medical Aesthetics, full-face TCA CROSS is priced at S$398, while full-face subcision starts from S$498.
For resurfacing treatments, fractional CO₂ laser is S$798 per session when performed à la carte. RF microneedling is approximately S$1,788 per session when performed à la carte. Treatment prices per session may be lower when selected treatments are purchased as part of a programme.
The most appropriate treatment should not be selected based on price alone. Ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars have different structural characteristics and may require different approaches. Following an assessment, the doctor can recommend a treatment plan based on the scar type, depth, skin characteristics and treatment goals, together with the expected cost before treatment begins.
Not sure which acne scar treatment is suitable for you? A consultation allows the doctor to assess your acne scars and recommend an appropriate treatment or combination of treatments.
Doctor-Led Acne Scar Treatment at Radium
Acne scar treatment at Radium Medical Aesthetics begins with a medical assessment to identify the types and depths of scars present, as well as factors such as active acne, pigmentation, skin characteristics and previous treatments.
Rather than applying the same procedure to every scar, treatment may involve different techniques according to the underlying scar structure and the patient’s treatment goals.
Dr Lina Yow has a clinical interest in acne, acne scarring, pigmentation and skin health. Treatment planning may involve different modalities according to the patient’s scar pattern, skin characteristics and individual needs.
