The scars of acne are what make your skin rough or not smooth, even when the acne is no longer there. All people would want these scars gone so that they would feel more confident. There are already available treatments these days that can smooth out the skin and minimize these marks. Some of the most sought-after treatments for acne scars are laser treatment and microneedling. Both functions differently and facilitate the healing of the skin in some way. On this site, here, we are going to discuss how they work, how they compare, and which may work best for you.
Microneedling or laser for acne scars: what’s best?
Microneedling is an office treatment that involves the use of very small needles to create very small holes in the skin. This causes your body to produce more collagen, which helps reduce acne marks and also makes your skin healthier.
They are both effective, but lasers can provide faster and deeper outcomes. Microneedling is less invasive and can be performed on more skin types. Your skin type and your skin decide what will best benefit you. Microneedling and laser both can diminish the visibility of acne scars, but one will be more effective than the other based on your skin type, the kind of scar, and how deep the scar is.
Microneedling is performed by needling the skin with fine needles and creating minute holes. It instructs your skin to heal and build more collagen, which fills up the scar over time. It is extremely soft and can be performed on anyone, including dark-complexioned individuals.
Laser treatment involves using light to destroy the upper skin layer or to heat deeper layers. This also makes the skin heal more. Laser may be quicker than microneedling, particularly for deeper scarring, but it is not always a good option on every skin tone and can lead to more peeling or redness. So, laser can be more invasive, but microneedling is better suited for most individuals. It will just be a question of what is most effective for your skin and what your doctor finds is best for you.
Is laser therapy effective in removing acne scars?
Laser therapy uses intense light to remove damaged layers of skin and promote collagen formation. Laser therapy decreases the colour, texture, and visibility of acne scars over time.
Laser will improve the appearance of acne scars, but maybe not 100% rid them. Laser will smooth out the complexion and bleach and diminish the scars over time.
Laser treatment can improve the appearance of acne scars, but not necessarily eliminate them for some. It kills the damaged skin with intense light and triggers the production of new, smoother skin. It will flatten out deep scars and make shallow scars into a fraction. The skin looks smoother and healthier in colour for most people after several treatments. Deep or older ones are still visible to some degree. And results on everyone are unpredictable, depending on the severity of scarring and skin type. So, lasers are highly useful, but they will not necessarily eradicate all of your scars.
Does microneedling remove acne scars?
Microneedling reduces the appearance of scarring by stimulating new and healthy tissue in the skin. Microneedling will not eliminate deep scarring, but it can potentially rearrange skin with multiple treatments.
Microneedling can be potentially employed to reduce acne scars, but it will generally not eliminate them. Microneedling consists of poking the skin extremely superficially with extremely fine needles in an attempt to create extremely small holes. This instructs the body to fix the skin by removing more collagen, which fills the scar, and smoothing out the skin. Over time, the scars can become less deep and lighter in appearance. Improvement is usually observed by most patients after several treatments, with the effects occurring over weeks or months gradually. It works well for mild to medium scarring, and severe scarring will not completely disappear. So, microneedling is real, though it won’t erase all acne scars.
Is microneedling permanent for acne scars?
The results will last for years and years if you take good care of your skin. But with aging or further acne, the scars return. Some require retouching.
The microneedling impact on acne scars will be long-lasting but never permanent. If you undergo microneedling, your skin releases excess collagen, and this softens up the scars. This fresh collagen takes a few months or even years, depending on the individual, so your skin appears healthy for a longer period.
But with age, your skin loses collagen automatically. Also, if you develop new acne or do not properly take care of your skin, then the scarring returns or new scars appear. So, microneedling gives permanent results, but not permanent results. Some individuals prefer to undergo touch-up treatments occasionally, or once a year or two, to maintain the smoothness of their skin.
How long does it take for a laser to fade acne scars?
Acne scars are depressions or scars on the skin after pimples have healed. They form if the skin fails to heal when there is deep or inflammatory acne.
It may take you 3 to 6 months to notice improvement. You might require more than one treatment, and the skin must heal between the treatments.
When you treat acne scars with laser, fading typically will begin some weeks following your first treatment. Everyone notices improvement within 4 to 6 weeks, but the best results are seen after 3 to 6 months, depending on the depth of scarring and the healing process of your skin. Some individuals need to have more than one treatment, particularly if scarring is deep. Skin does heal slowly, so it’s slow but sure. Between sessions, the scarring is less apparent and the skin is smoother. With proper care and sun protection, outcomes can last long.
What is the best way to treat acne scarring?
The most serious scarring is best treated with lasers and deeper peels. Others do microneedling with PRP. Your dermatologist will determine what is best for your scarring.
Treatment of acne scarring varies depending on your skin type, type of scar, and depth or age of the scars. No one “perfect” treatment is right for everyone. Laser treatment is most effective for the majority of people, particularly for resistant or deep scars. It has more rapid and powerful effects.
Microneedling is appropriate for others, especially those with sensitive skin or dark skin, since it is safer and less prone to cause side effects. Doctors also combine and interchange treatments, such as micro needling with over-the-counter serums or laser with chemical peels, to attain optimum results. Therefore, the best treatment is one that is for your skin’s needs and advised by a dermatologist after he or she has examined your scars.
How much does laser acne scar removal hurt?
Laser stings or feels like heat on the skin. They put on numbing cream to make it bearable. It is not entirely painless, but most can tolerate it.
Acne scar laser hurts, but not much. Most individuals report that it is the sensation of little rubber bands snapping on your skin or a burning, stinging, pricking sensation. The physician will typically apply numbing cream to your face before your treatment to make it more comfortable. Your skin will likely be sunburned, warm, and tender for a few days after the treatment. Mild swelling and itchiness can also occur in some. Pain is variable based on the kind of laser and the depth of the scars. It is fine but not hurtful in general, and most folks can get through it without too much discomfort.
Why is my skin darker after micro needling?
In some, the skin darkens (so-called PIH) after microneedling, particularly with darker skin. It tends to clear up within a few weeks with creams and sunscreens.
If your skin looks darker after microneedling, it may be due to a condition called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). It is when the skin sheds too much melanin (the substance that tans the skin) after skin irritation or injury. Microneedling destroys the skin in tiny punctures, and for several individuals, particularly those with darker skin, this may result in dark marks as the skin repairs itself.
Sunlight after treatment can also make darkening more severe. Fortunately, this is usually temporary. Dark spots would also disappear on their own within weeks or months. Using sunscreen daily and the skincare routine recommended by your doctor can also cause quicker recovery of your skin and prevent further darkening.
Is a CO2 laser better than microneedling?
CO2 laser is an energetically high method of skin treatment using light to vaporize the outer layer of the damaged skin. It flattens deep scars of acne and enhances the texture of the skin by stimulating collagen production.
CO2 laser is more energetic and can treat deeper scars quickly. It is more taxing in terms of aftercare following treatment and healing. CO2 laser is stronger than microneedling, and simply because something is stronger, it doesn’t mean that it’s well-suited for everybody.
CO2 laser penetrates deeper into the skin and resurfaces the surface layers, and this is effective for very deep or hard-boiled acne scarring. It will make faster and more dramatic changes after fewer sessions. It also hurts more, causes more swelling, peeling, and downtime. There is a higher likelihood of side effects such as infection or pigmentation, particularly in darker-skinned individuals.
Microneedling is more conservative. It acts slowly by stimulating collagen and enhancing the skin gradually. It is less risky for all skin types and quicker to recover from.
Therefore, the CO2 laser is stronger, but microneedling is convenient and safe to apply. The best for you will be based on your skin type, the depth of your scars, and how fast you can achieve the desired effect. A dermatologist will be able to determine which one will work well on your skin.
What is the best technology for removing scars?
Scars are the lines left after a cut, zit, or wound heals. Scars appear when the skin heals, but not an entire one.
The new technology includes fractional lasers, RF microneedling, and Pico lasers. They are upgraded with less damage and more healing.
The best scar removal technology is based on the nature of the scar, the colour of the scar, and how deep or old it is. For acne scars, fractional CO2 laser is what most doctors call one of the strongest treatments for it. It peels away layers of affected skin and forms new, smooth skin. It treats deep scars best and has very strong effects after fewer sessions. But it heals longer, too, and may result in redness or peeling.
A good alternative is radiofrequency (RF) microneedling. RF microneedling involves small needles and warmth to penetrate more deeply into the skin. It treats superficial and deeper scars, and is safer on darker complexions. It has less downtime than laser.
Other helpful technologies are Erbium lasers, chemical peels, and dermal fillers, depending on the scarring.
Therefore, there isn’t one “best” for everyone. The ideal technology is that which suits your skin and scarring type, and you might have to consult a skin physician to choose the most effective treatment for you.
How many CO2 laser treatments will I need for acne scars?
Generally, 2 to 4 sessions of CO2 laser treatment are required for the best result. Additional sessions are required for deep scars. Space the treatment interval.
The number of CO2 laser treatments you will require for acne scars will vary with the size and depth of your scars. Everyone requires 1 to 3 treatments to achieve good results. In case your scars are small or medium-sized, 1 or 2 might just be enough. However, if your scars are extremely deep, you’ll require 3 or more, spaced over weeks or even months.
After every session, your skin needs time to heal and form new, smooth skin. Most people will see an improvement after the first treatment, and the full benefit will usually be seen within 3 to 6 months.
Your dermatologist will assess your skin and decide how many sessions best suit you. And, after every session, good skin care will make the effect last longer and heal quicker.
Conclusion
Acne scars can lower your level of confidence, but now there are several methods of treatment. Two of the most sought-after treatments are laser and microneedling. Both induce your skin to heal and smooth itself out. Laser is stronger and can perhaps do its job quicker, especially on deeper scars, but it takes more time to heal. Microneedling is less traumatic, is done for all skin types, and has fewer side effects, but it will take longer to show results. Skin of every individual is unique, and the best treatment is yours, depending on your skin type, the nature of the scar, and how well your skin can support it. It is always safe to seek a skin specialist for selecting the ideal treatment for you.
FAQs
1. Will laser eliminate acne scars?
Laser can significantly diminish scars, but deep ones won’t be eliminated. You’ll have a smoother, brighter complexion after some treatments.
2. Is microneedling safe with dark skin?
Yes, microneedling is safe on darker skin and less likely to result in dark spots than certain lasers.
3. How long do you need to recover from laser treatment?
CO2 laser healing time is 5 to 10 days. Your skin will be peeling and pink in between.
4. How long should I wait to wash my face after microneedling?
You can safely wait 24 hours before you wash your face. Always take the recommendation of your doctor.
5. Will a single treatment erase acne scars?
No, you usually need 2 to 4 treatments for satisfactory results. Deep scars can take more.
6. Does microneedling hurt a lot?
It’s like little pricks. You get numbing cream, so it doesn’t hurt too much.
7. Will you get new acne after these treatments?
Yes, if you do not take good care of your skin, new acne and new scarring will occur. Always be kind to your skin.
8. Which treatment has quicker results?
Laser will be quicker than microneedling, but you have more downtime.
9. Are the results permanent?
The results are long-lasting, but not permanent. You might have to return for follow-up visits.
10. Which is more expensive, laser or microneedling?
Microneedling is generally less expensive than laser, but you might need to have more sessions.
Also Read: 5 Types of Acne Scars and Effective Treatment Options in 2025
