"Dr Nina has incredible skill with facial aesthetics. She took such great care and spent a lot of time with me talking me through the options without any pressure to go ahead. I had Profhilo and I am thrilled with the results! I also took Dr Nina and her teams advice and switched over to the recommended medical grade skincare and it’s been amazing! I highly recommend the wonderful Dr Nina and her team."
Common Concerns
Acne Scar
Treatments in London
Acne scarring is not one thing — textured scars, lingering marks and dullness each respond to different treatments, and the right plan depends on the type of scarring you have and how your skin behaves.
- What it is
- Lasting texture and tone changes left after acne — true scars are atrophic (lost collagen) or, less often, raised
- Types of scarring
- Rolling, boxcar and ice-pick (textured); plus flat post-inflammatory pigmentation and redness, which are marks not scars
- Key areas
- Cheeks, temples, jawline and chin; the back and chest can also be affected
Acne scarring is the lasting change in the skin left behind once breakouts settle — and it is several different things, not one. Textured atrophic scars (rolling and boxcar) are indentations where collagen was lost; post-inflammatory pigmentation and redness are flat marks rather than true scars; and deep, tethered "ice-pick" scars are the hardest of all. Because each responds to a different approach, the right treatment depends entirely on the type of scarring you have — which is why a proper clinical assessment, with active acne controlled first, is the only reliable starting point.
As seen in
Understanding the concern
Why acne leaves scars — and what affects how visible they are
It helps to separate true scarring from the marks acne leaves behind. Post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH) — brown or dark patches — and post-inflammatory erythema — pink or red marks — are flat discolouration left after a spot heals. They are not scars and often fade over months, though they can be encouraged along. True scarring is a permanent change in the skin’s texture, where the healing process has either lost or overproduced collagen.
Textured acne scars are usually atrophic — depressions in the skin where collagen was destroyed during inflammation and not fully rebuilt. These fall into recognisable patterns: shallow, soft-edged rolling scars; sharper-walled boxcar scars; and narrow, deep ice-pick scars that taper to a point. Less commonly, scars can be raised (hypertrophic or keloid), where too much collagen forms. The type, depth and distribution of scarring determine what can realistically be improved.
The honest reality is that established textured scarring cannot simply be erased. Treatments work by stimulating the skin to remodel and lay down new, more organised collagen, which softens and shallows scars over time — substantial improvement rather than disappearance. Deep ice-pick and tethered scars are the most stubborn and usually need a combination of approaches and several sessions. And none of it works while acne is still active, so bringing breakouts under control comes first.
No non-surgical treatment removes acne scars completely — the realistic goal is meaningful softening and refinement over a course. Deep ice-pick or tethered scars are the most resistant, and if active acne is still present Dr Nina will advise getting it under control first, with a dermatology referral where appropriate.
Quick reference
- What it is
- Lasting texture and tone changes left after acne — true scars are atrophic (lost collagen) or, less often, raised
- Types of scarring
- Rolling, boxcar and ice-pick (textured); plus flat post-inflammatory pigmentation and redness, which are marks not scars
- Key areas
- Cheeks, temples, jawline and chin; the back and chest can also be affected
- What to consider
- Active acne should be controlled first; deep tethered scars are hardest and usually need a combination and several sessions
- Realistic expectations
- Scars are softened and refined rather than erased; results build gradually over a course, and improvement varies by scar type
How scars form
Lost collagen (atrophic scars)
Inflammation from acne destroys collagen in the dermis, leaving rolling, boxcar or ice-pick depressions where the skin failed to rebuild fully — the textured scarring most people mean.
Pigment & redness (PIH)
Healing breakouts can leave flat brown marks (post-inflammatory pigmentation) or pink-red marks. These are discolouration, not true scars, and respond to different treatments from textured scarring.
Ongoing inflammation
Active spots and inflamed skin both create new scars and undermine any treatment. Calming inflammation and bringing acne under control is the foundation everything else builds on.
Where it tends to show up
- Soft, shallow depressions with sloping edges (rolling scars)
- Sharper, box-like indentations with defined walls (boxcar scars)
- Narrow, deep pits that taper to a point (ice-pick scars)
- Flat brown or dark marks where spots have healed (pigmentation)
- Lingering pink or red marks after breakouts settle
- Overall rough, uneven texture and a dull, tired-looking complexion
Treatment guidance
Matching treatment to your concern
Because "acne scarring" covers several different problems, the treatments below work in fundamentally different ways — some induce collagen to remodel textured scars, some resurface and even out marks and tone, and one supports the skin and calms inflammation. The right choice, or combination, depends on whether your main concern is texture, pigmentation, redness or a mixture — and on getting any active acne settled first. These are the presentations we see most often.
Textured scars
Textured (atrophic) scars — rolling & boxcar
Rolling and boxcar scars are indentations caused by lost collagen, so the priority is collagen induction — stimulating the skin to rebuild and remodel from within. SkinPen microneedling creates controlled micro-channels that trigger fresh collagen, and is well recognised for softer rolling scars. RF Microneedling adds radiofrequency heat to reach deeper, often a stronger choice for more defined boxcar scarring. Both work over a course, with results building gradually.
Deep & ice-pick
Deep, tethered & ice-pick scars
Narrow ice-pick scars and tethered scars are the hardest of all to treat and rarely respond to a single approach. RF Microneedling reaches deeper into the dermis and is often the most useful starting point, frequently combined with SkinPen over a longer course. Honest expectations matter here: these scars usually improve substantially rather than disappear, and some are better suited to in-clinic techniques discussed at assessment.
Marks & pigmentation
Post-inflammatory pigmentation & uneven tone
Flat brown marks (PIH) and uneven tone left after breakouts are discolouration rather than texture, and respond to resurfacing and renewal. AlumierMD Peels can be tailored on the day — including a tranexamic-acid option aimed at uneven tone — to exfoliate and even the complexion. PRX-T33 Peel brightens and refreshes with no visible peeling and no downtime. Diligent daily SPF is essential to stop marks darkening.
Surface & dullness
Surface texture, dullness & crepiness
Where the concern is general surface roughness, dullness or fine crepey texture alongside scarring, gentle resurfacing helps refresh the skin. PRX-T33 Peel stimulates renewal and firmness without flaking, while AlumierMD Peels lift dull surface cells for a brighter, smoother complexion. These are often used to complement collagen-induction treatments rather than replace them.
Calming & healing
Active breakouts, inflammation & recovery
Because scarring should be treated on calm skin, settling inflammation comes first. Dermalux LED phototherapy uses blue light to help blemish-prone skin and near-infrared to calm redness, and is a gentle, pain-free support for healing — both for managing active acne and for soothing the skin and aiding recovery after microneedling or a peel. It is best thought of as a supportive treatment within a wider plan rather than a scar treatment on its own.
Where active acne is not yet controlled, or scarring is deep and resistant, non-surgical treatment alone may be insufficient — and Dr Nina will say so honestly at consultation, with a dermatology or specialist referral where that would serve you better.
At Facial Sculpting
What happens at your consultation
A consultation is not a commitment to treatment — it is a proper clinical assessment. Here is what to expect.
01
A full clinical assessment
Dr Nina examines the type and depth of your scarring — distinguishing textured atrophic scars (rolling, boxcar, ice-pick) from flat pigmentation and redness — assesses your skin tone and whether any acne is still active, and identifies which concerns can realistically be improved and by how much.
02
An honest, specific plan
If acne is still active, she will advise bringing it under control first — with medical-grade skincare or a dermatology referral. She will then recommend a course matched to your scar type, explaining clearly what to expect, that several sessions are usually needed, and that the goal is meaningful improvement rather than complete clearance.
03
No obligation
Consultations are never upsells. The outcome may be a single treatment, a combination plan over several months, or first settling your skin before scar work begins. The goal is the right answer for your scarring and skin — not a booking.
Full treatment directory
Explore the treatments
Each card links to a full treatment page with procedure details, suitability, and what to expect. Your exact route is confirmed at consultation.
Microneedling
SkinPen
Medical-grade, FDA-cleared microneedling that creates controlled micro-channels to trigger your own collagen and elastin — well recognised for softening softer, rolling acne scars and refining texture over a course.
Best for: Textured rolling scars, surface texture, pores
Find out more
Microneedling
RF Microneedling
Fine microneedles combined with radiofrequency heat to reach deeper into the dermis, stimulating collagen to remodel more defined boxcar and deeper acne scarring over a short course.
Best for: Deeper, boxcar and more resistant textured scarring
Find out more
Peel
AlumierMD Peels
Medical-grade chemical peels tailored on the day — including a tranexamic-acid option — to exfoliate, even out tone and address the post-inflammatory pigmentation and dullness acne can leave behind.
Best for: Pigmentation, uneven tone, surface texture, congestion
Find out more
Peel
PRX-T33 Peel
A no-needle bio-revitalising peel (TCA, hydrogen peroxide and kojic acid) that brightens, hydrates and firms without visible peeling — softening the look of marks and refreshing skin quality with no downtime.
Best for: Dullness, marks, surface scarring, crepey skin
Find out more
LED
Dermalux LED
Non-invasive, pain-free LED phototherapy — blue light for blemish-prone skin and near-infrared to calm inflammation — supporting healing of active breakouts and recovery after microneedling or peels.
Best for: Active acne, redness, calming, recovery support
Find out more
Peel
Jalupro Glow Peel
A revitalising peel combining Jalupro amino acids with brightening ingredients — improving radiance and skin quality while helping to address the dullness and post-inflammatory marks acne can leave behind.
Best for: Post-acne dullness, marks, skin quality, radiance
Find out moreSide by side
How the options compare
An honest comparison — the right option depends on your scar type, skin tone and goals, and combinations are common. This is a guide, not a prescription.
| Treatment | Approach | Invasiveness | Downtime | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkinPen | Medical microneedling | Minimally invasive | Minimal (~1–3 days) | Rolling scars, texture |
| RF Microneedling | Microneedling + radiofrequency | Minimally invasive | Minimal (~24–48h) | Deeper, boxcar scarring |
| AlumierMD Peels | Tailored chemical peel | Non-invasive | Little to none | Pigmentation, tone, texture |
| PRX-T33 Peel | No-needle bio-revitalising peel | Non-invasive | None | Marks, dullness, surface scarring |
| Dermalux LED | Non-invasive light therapy | Non-invasive | None | Active acne, calming, recovery |
Many patients benefit from a combination — for example RF Microneedling for textured scars alongside a tailored AlumierMD peel for tone, supported by LED. Dr Nina assesses your scar type honestly and recommends only what would genuinely add value.
Common questions
FAQs about acne scarring
What is the best treatment for acne scarring?
There is no single best treatment, because acne scarring is several different things. Textured atrophic scars — rolling and boxcar — respond best to collagen induction, so SkinPen microneedling or RF Microneedling are usually the starting point, with RF reaching deeper for more defined scars. Flat marks and uneven tone (post-inflammatory pigmentation) respond instead to resurfacing peels such as AlumierMD Peels or the PRX-T33 Peel. Dermalux LED supports the skin and calms inflammation. Dr Nina assesses your scar type at consultation and matches the treatment — or combination — to what you actually have, rather than offering one device for everything.
Can acne scars be removed completely?
No non-surgical treatment removes acne scars completely, and it is important to be honest about that. Treatments work by stimulating the skin to remodel and lay down new collagen, which softens and shallows textured scars over time — so the realistic goal is substantial improvement rather than disappearance. Soft, rolling scars often respond well; deep ice-pick and tethered scars are the most resistant and usually need a combination of approaches over several sessions. Dr Nina will set clear, honest expectations at consultation about how much improvement is realistic for your specific scar type before recommending anything.
Should I treat active acne before treating scars?
Yes — bringing active acne under control should always come first. Treating scars while breakouts are still active is counter-productive: ongoing inflammation creates new scars and undermines any treatment, and microneedling or peels are not advisable over inflamed or infected skin. The first step is calming and controlling the acne, often with medical-grade skincare or, where appropriate, a dermatology referral. Once your skin is settled, scar treatment such as SkinPen, RF Microneedling or a tailored peel can begin on a stable foundation. Dermalux LED can help support blemish-prone skin during this stage.
What is the difference between acne scars and acne marks?
They are genuinely different, and respond to different treatments. True scars are a permanent change in skin texture — usually atrophic indentations (rolling, boxcar or ice-pick) where collagen was lost. Acne marks are flat discolouration: post-inflammatory pigmentation (brown or dark patches) and post-inflammatory erythema (pink or red marks) left after a spot heals. Marks are not scars and often fade over months, and they respond to resurfacing and tone-evening treatments such as AlumierMD Peels or the PRX-T33 Peel. Textured scars instead need collagen induction such as SkinPen or RF Microneedling. Identifying which you have is the first step.
Does microneedling work for acne scars?
Yes, for the right scar type. Microneedling works by creating controlled micro-channels that trigger your own collagen and elastin to remodel the skin, which softens textured atrophic scars over a course. SkinPen is well recognised for improving softer, rolling scars and overall texture. RF Microneedling adds radiofrequency heat to reach deeper into the dermis, which can suit more defined boxcar scars and deeper scarring. Neither removes scars completely — they aim to soften and refine them, and a course of several sessions is usually needed. Results build gradually as new collagen forms over the following weeks.
SkinPen or RF Microneedling for acne scars — which is better?
They are related but suited to different scarring, and neither is universally better. SkinPen is microneedling alone — controlled micro-channels stimulate collagen, and it is excellent for softer, rolling scars, surface texture and refining the skin. RF Microneedling adds radiofrequency heat delivered to a controlled depth, reaching deeper into the dermis, which often makes it a stronger choice for more defined boxcar scars or deeper, more resistant scarring. Both need a course and both soften rather than erase scars. Dr Nina assesses the type and depth of your scarring and advises which is more appropriate — and the two are sometimes used together over a longer plan.
How many sessions will I need to treat acne scarring?
A course is almost always needed — acne scarring rarely improves meaningfully from a single session. Collagen-induction treatments such as SkinPen and RF Microneedling work over several sessions spaced a few weeks apart, allowing new collagen to build between each, and deeper or more textured scarring typically needs a fuller course. Peels such as AlumierMD or PRX-T33 for marks and tone are also best over a course. The exact number depends on your scar type, depth and how your skin responds, and is confirmed at consultation. Results continue developing for weeks after your final session.
Can acne scars be treated without surgery or injections?
For many people, yes — textured scarring and acne marks can be meaningfully improved with non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments. Collagen-induction treatments such as SkinPen and RF Microneedling remodel textured atrophic scars, while resurfacing peels such as AlumierMD Peels and the PRX-T33 Peel address pigmentation and tone, and Dermalux LED supports the skin. These soften and refine rather than erase. Deep ice-pick and tethered scars are the most resistant, and where non-surgical treatment is unlikely to be sufficient Dr Nina will say so honestly and refer to a dermatologist or specialist where that would serve you better.
How do you treat post-inflammatory pigmentation from acne?
Post-inflammatory pigmentation — the flat brown or dark marks left after breakouts — is discolouration rather than a textured scar, so it responds to resurfacing and renewal rather than collagen induction. AlumierMD Peels can be tailored on the day, including a tranexamic-acid (TXA) option specifically aimed at uneven tone and the look of pigmentation, to exfoliate and even the complexion over a course. The PRX-T33 Peel brightens and refreshes with no visible peeling. Crucially, diligent daily broad-spectrum SPF is essential, because sun exposure darkens pigmentation and undoes progress. Suitability, especially in deeper skin tones, is assessed first.
Are acne scar treatments safe for darker skin tones?
They can be, with careful assessment and the right choice of treatment. Microneedling such as SkinPen does not use heat or light and carries a low risk of pigmentation change when performed correctly, making it a thoughtful option for deeper skin tones; RF Microneedling delivers much of its energy below the surface and can also be suitable when settings are adjusted carefully. With peels, selection matters — the strength and type are tailored, and diligent sun protection is essential to reduce the risk of pigmentation changes. Dr Nina assesses your skin tone and history at consultation and recommends the safest, most appropriate approach for you.
Does Dermalux LED help with acne and scarring?
Dermalux LED is best understood as a supportive treatment rather than a scar treatment on its own. Its blue wavelength helps blemish-prone and congested skin, and near-infrared light calms inflammation, so it can help manage active acne as part of a broader plan and is valuable for soothing the skin and supporting recovery after microneedling or a peel. It does not remodel textured scars or remove pigmentation by itself. It works best over a course or alongside other treatments, and Dr Nina will recommend it where it genuinely adds value to your overall skin-health plan.
How much do acne scarring treatments cost in London?
Cost depends on the treatment and the course your scarring needs, and is best thought of as an investment in a properly matched plan rather than a single figure. Because acne scarring almost always requires a course, and often a combination — for example RF Microneedling for textured scars alongside a peel for tone — your exact plan and price are confirmed only after a skin assessment. Dr Nina will be clear about what is genuinely worthwhile for your scar type and will never recommend treatment simply to add cost. The honest priority is the right plan for your skin, not the largest one.
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What our patients say about Facial Sculpting
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Jane S.Patient review
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Dr Nina is amazing! I’ve had several treatments and I’m thrilled with all of them. I’ve also taken her skincare advice and my skin has never looked better, in fact it’s glowing.
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Ravi K.Patient review
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I have been with Dr Nina Bal for many years for facial injectables. After visiting several Botox doctors in London, I have to say Nina has and is the best doctor thus far. The results from her treatments have been phenomenal. From beginning to end, be assured Nina will listen to your needs and you will achieve results above and beyond. Thank you so much Nina and I look forward to having all my treatments with you. From an extremely happy customer. You have changed my confidence for the better forever.
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Sophie J.Patient review
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I had a fabulous experience with Dr Nina. I had a Botox treatment which was the best I’ve had. She was very thorough and took time and care during the treatment to tailor it to my exact needs. I will certainly be returning for more treatments! A true professional who really knows her stuff.
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Ella T.Patient review
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Dr. Nina is the best! She has helped me so much with my jaw pain and I truly appreciate how knowledgeable and informative she treats every meeting with a patient. She also has the most wonderful staff and beautiful office!
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Why choose us
Why patients choose us for acne scarring
Acne scarring is often over-promised in aesthetics — patients are sold "scar removal" and a single device for problems that are genuinely different and need different, layered treatment. Dr Nina’s approach is honest: identify the exact scar type, treat the right layer, control active acne first, and be realistic about what non-surgical treatment can and cannot achieve.
The right diagnosis first
Textured scars, pigmentation and redness are different problems. Dr Nina identifies exactly what you have and matches collagen-induction, peels or LED to it — rather than defaulting to one machine.
Honest about limits & referral
Deep ice-pick and tethered scars are the hardest to treat. If active acne needs controlling first, or a dermatology opinion would serve you better, we say so plainly and refer where appropriate.
Realistic, gradual results
Scars are softened and refined over a course, not erased overnight. We focus on genuine, layered improvement and a complexion that looks healthier — never on over-promising.
Ready to explore your options?
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Your practitioner
Dr Nina Bal
BDS (Hons)
GDC 208766
Save Face Platinum
JCCP
“In my practice, I focus on addressing life’s moments and the emotions they carry, rather than merely correcting lines and imperfections. I aim to provide therapies that respect and reflect the individual’s personal story.”
Accreditations & recognition
Save Face Platinum accredited
Registered with the General Dental Council
British College of Aesthetic Medicine member
Save Face COVID-19 Operational Protocol Certified
ICO — Information Commissioner's Office
JCCP — Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners
Featured in the Tatler Address Book
Hello! Aesthetics Guide
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