Key summary
The marks left after acne are treated differently depending on their type. Red marks involve blood vessels, brown marks involve pigment, and indented scars involve changes in the skin's contour. For brown marks, treatment starts with topical medication and sun protection, and for indented scars, lasers and other procedures are sometimes used together depending on the shape and depth. Once you work out which kind of mark you want to treat, it becomes easier to choose a treatment.
01 How can you tell red marks, brown marks, and indented scars apart?
Red marks are spots where acne was present that remain pink or red. Lumiin Dermatology Clinic explains that they stay red because of tiny blood vessels that have increased after the inflammation has passed. If a red, painful pimple is still raised, a medical visit is needed first to determine whether the problem is only the mark that remains.
Brown marks are post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, in which pigment remains where inflammation has passed. They can look like blotches even when the skin surface is flat. The American Academy of Dermatology distinguishes between flat color changes that remain after acne has cleared and scars where the skin is sunken or raised. In some cases, a mark thought to be a scar is actually pigmentation.
Indented scars are a condition in which a contour remains on the skin surface. They also differ in shape: icepick scars are narrow and deep like small holes, boxcar scars have relatively sharp edges, and rolling scars undulate gently. Because several types can be mixed on a single face, the treatment should not be decided by the single name "scar laser"; the depth and shape of each area should be examined first.
02 What treatments are used for red marks and brown marks?
For red marks, treatment that targets blood vessels is considered
Lumiin Dermatology Clinic introduces Yun Ji-seon, a board-certified dermatologist and the clinic's director, as the physician in charge of acne scar treatment. According to the clinic's treatment guide, it divides acne marks into redness, pigmentation, and surface contour irregularities, and it says it uses the Vbeam Perfecta for red marks. This device is a vascular laser that targets hemoglobin, the red pigment in blood.
Even when the redness fades, the indented shape may remain. In that case, a separate treatment to reduce the contour irregularities of the scar is planned. At your consultation, ask, "With this procedure, which will change: the redness or the indented areas?"
Brown marks start with controlling inflammation and protecting against UV
For pigmentation, the basic approach is to reduce the acne or skin irritation that causes it and to protect your skin from UV rays. The American Academy of Dermatology describes lightening ingredients such as azelaic acid and retinoids. If you layer several products and your skin starts to sting and turn red, the irritation itself can become a new cause of pigmentation. Show your clinician the products and medications you use, and adjust the ingredients together.
Even when a laser is used, the plan is set according to the depth of the pigment and the condition of your skin. Lumiin Dermatology Clinic describes PicoSure and Revlite toning for brown marks, and says it adjusts the intensity and the number of sessions rather than delivering strong energy all at once. Rather than choosing based on the name "pico" alone, it is better to distinguish whether the treatment is aimed at pigment or at scar regeneration using a fractional method. The same device can serve different purposes depending on how it is used.
03 Why are lasers and subcision used together for indented scars?
Fractional laser is a treatment that stimulates the skin in tiny dot-shaped areas so that new tissue forms during recovery. It is used to smooth surface borders and rough texture, and PHD Dermatology Clinic Apgujeong states that it combines picosecond fractional and erbium lasers, among others, according to skin thickness and the shape and depth of the scar. It also introduces a radiofrequency procedure that delivers heat from the tip of a needle, and this method is distinguished from laser.
Subcision is a procedure that releases the firm tissue pulling a depressed scar downward. Because it releases the part that anchors the skin from below, its role differs from that of treatments that apply laser to the surface. PHD Dermatology Clinic Apgujeong also describes the fibrous tissue beneath the skin and tissue loss as factors to consider in scar treatment. Whether subcision is needed is determined at a consultation, based on the pulling and depth beneath the scar.
There is also a small study that examined the results of using the two treatments together. In Iran, 30 participants had both sides of the face treated separately for a total of five sessions, and photographs were evaluated 6 months later. The interval between treatments was 3 weeks. On the combined-treatment side, subcision was performed only at the first session, and the following four sessions were laser treatments. The mean improvement rating was 43.0% on the side treated with fractional CO2 laser alone and 54.7% on the side that had subcision added at the first session. This is the average degree of improvement assessed from photographs, not the percentage of people whose scars disappeared completely.
This study was small, with 30 participants, and most had rolling-type scars. It is difficult to conclude that the same difference would appear with deep, narrow scars or other skin conditions. The paper contains both a statement that the side of the face to be treated was fixed and a statement that it was assigned randomly, so the comparison method is also unclear in some respects. Bruising and pigmentation were reported on the combined-treatment side, and whether additional procedures are needed should be decided by weighing the expected benefit together with the recovery burden.
04 In real published cases, which treatments were combined?
When red marks and scars of different depths remain together
In the case of a male in his 30 shared by Lumiin Dermatology Clinic, icepick-type and boxcar-type scars were present together with red marks on the chin. The clinic explains that over about one year it used Vbeam for the red marks and picosecond fractional laser and Juvelook for the scars.
Because several methods were used together, the effect of the picosecond laser alone cannot be known. The length of treatment also varies depending on the extent of the scars and the condition of the skin.
When scars and blemishes were treated after acne and atopic dermatitis calmed down
The same clinic's case of a male in his 20 covers scars, blemishes, and rough skin texture left after acne and atopic dermatitis had calmed down. The clinic states that it used CO2 and erbium fractional lasers, picosecond fractional laser and toning, Vbeam, and other treatments in stages.
These two cases are individual treatment courses presented by the clinic, and there is no comparison group or effectiveness assessment by an outside evaluator. They do not mean that everyone who receives the same treatment will improve in a similar way.
05 What should I expect for treatment duration and recovery?
Brown marks take time to fade even after the cause has been reduced. The American Academy of Dermatology advises that marks that are several shades darker than the original skin color usually fade over 6 to 12 months, and that it takes longer if the pigment is deep. This period should not be taken as the time it takes for red marks or depressed scars to disappear completely.
The time it takes for swelling to go down after scar treatment is different from the time it takes for new tissue to form. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that collagen and elastic fibers need time to form, and that scar treatment is rarely finished in a single session. Rather than judging the final result by how tight the skin looks right after the procedure, you should review progress at the next visit by assessing color and surface contour separately.
In the study of 30 participants that was introduced earlier, redness was reported in both the laser-only group and the combined-treatment group. In the combined-treatment group, bruising lasted for 1 week in about 57% and for 2 weeks in about 43%. These results come from the treatment method used in that particular study, so they should not be applied to the recovery period of every subcision or laser. If you have work or appointments coming up, ask about the expected duration of bruising, scabbing, and redness for each method that will be used.
After treatment, follow the cleansing and moisturizing instructions given by the clinic, and confirm when you can resume makeup and irritating products. The American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes sun protection for the treated area, and explains that you may be advised to take a short break from makeup while your skin is sensitive. If you developed pigmentation after a previous treatment, or if you are currently taking acne medication, you should tell the clinic before treatment.
Common misconceptions
"Using a whitening product will also fill in depressed scars." A change in which pigment fades and becomes less noticeable is different from a change in which the unevenness of the skin recovers. Even when choosing a topical treatment, distinguish whether its purpose is to address pigment or to reduce acne recurrence.
"The more treatments you get together, the better the result." When an additional treatment is added, ask for an explanation of which scars will be treated and how. As the number of treatments combined increases, you also need to consider the recovery burden, such as bruising or pigmentation.
In summary
When treating acne marks and scars, start with the marks that bother you the most. The treatment you need differs depending on whether your concern is color or depressed shape. If you have been offered several treatments, it is best to hear the purpose and expected recovery period of each one, and to choose a plan that does not disrupt your daily life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are red acne marks also scars?
Lingering red discoloration and depressed scars are viewed separately. Lumiin Dermatology Clinic also explains that it separates treatment for redness, which involves blood vessel treatment, from treatment for depressed areas, which aims at tissue regeneration. If both are present, a plan is made for each one separately.
Do acne brown marks go away on their own?
When the inflammation and irritation that cause them decrease, the marks may fade over time. The American Academy of Dermatology gives a timeframe of 6 to 12 months for relatively superficial pigmentation, but explains that deeper pigment takes longer. Use sun protection, and review the medications or products you are currently using.
Can a single laser session remove depressed acne scars?
It is difficult to plan on the assumption that they will disappear in a single session. Treatment differs depending on the depth and shape of the scar, and time is also needed for new tissue to form. The American Academy of Dermatology also states that scar treatment requires multiple visits.
How is subcision different from scar lasers?
Subcision releases the attachments that hold a scar down beneath the skin, while fractional lasers stimulate small areas so that new tissue forms. Because they serve different roles, they are sometimes used together. Ask during your visit whether there is tethering beneath the scar and why the two methods are being used together.
Can I start scar treatment first if I am still getting new acne?
Control of inflammation from new acne should be planned at the same time. The American Academy of Dermatology explains that scar treatment generally begins after acne is under control, and that acne treatment continues in order to reduce new scars. You can find the roles of extraction and medication in the acne treatment guide.
Can I wear makeup right after a scar laser treatment?
The length of time you need to avoid makeup varies depending on the type of procedure and the state of your skin's recovery. The American Academy of Dermatology advises waiting until your medical team allows it. Before the procedure, ask separately when you can resume makeup, washing your face, and the acne medications you were using.
Pre-consultation checklist
- □ Did you say whether red marks, brown marks, or indented (pitted) scars bother you the most?
- □ Did the clinic explain the order of treatment for current acne breakouts and the marks left behind?
- □ Did you show your prescription medications, medications you have finished taking, and the cosmetics you use?
- □ Did you ask whether each procedure changes color or surface contour?
- □ Did the clinic explain why combination treatment is needed and what the alternatives are?
- □ Did you ask how long bruising, scabbing, and redness are expected to last, and when the next visit should be?
- □ Did you receive instructions on washing your face, wearing makeup, sun protection, and how to restart medications?
Sources and verification date
Source basis: 2026-10-21.
- Lumiin Dermatology Clinic Acne Scar Treatment Information and Medical Staff Introduction. These are clinic materials that describe specialist designations, the physicians in charge of treatment, and methods based on scar color and contour. They are not materials reviewed by a medical professional for this article.
- Case of a Man in His 30 with Complex Scars, Case of a Man in His 20 with Scars After Multiple Skin Conditions. These are individual patient introductions written by the clinic and are not comparative studies.
- PHD Dermatology Clinic Scar Treatment Information. This is clinic material that explains combined treatment according to scar shape and depth and the fibrous tissue beneath the skin.
- American Academy of Dermatology Scars Overview, Consultation and Treatment, Post-Treatment Care, Managing Pigmentation. These are patient guides that have been reviewed by dermatologists.
- Nilforoushzadeh et al., 2017, PMID 28349023. This is a small study that compared fractional CO2 laser alone with fractional CO2 laser combined with subcision on both sides of the face in 30 participants. Most scars were rolling type, meaning gently depressed, and the evaluation was performed 6 months after the last treatment. The authors stated that they had no funding or conflicts of interest.
Editorial responsibility and interests
Writing and editing were done by the Korea Beauty Report Editorial Team. There was no direct review by a medical professional, and facts cited from specialist physicians and clinic materials are not presented as this article's review or endorsement. There is no contract, advertising fee, or financial relationship with any clinic for this article.
The treatment methods in the official cases are summarized together with their sources, and patient photos and original review text are not republished. Results from individual cases and studies are not guaranteed as expected effects. First published: 2026-10-21. Materials last verified: 2026-10-21.