Laser Treatment for Acne Scars

Acne scars are notoriously difficult to treat. They resist most skincare solutions, and spa or clinic-recommended treatments can cost thousands of dollars.

In this guide, we’ll focus on laser treatments for acne scars. We’ll explain why they work, how long the process takes, and everything else you need to know about treating your acne scars with lasers.

What Causes Acne Scars?

Acne scars form as a result of the skin damage caused by breakouts. Acne itself presents as papules, pustules, or cysts, which are clogged hair follicles that become inflamed due to the presence of the acne bacteria.

Acne damages the skin and triggers an inflammatory response. It often causes collagen degradation in the dermis (i.e., the inner layer of the skin). This results in depressed acne scars, from shallow rolling and boxcar scars to deep but small ice pick scars.

Some people’s bodies respond to trauma and inflammation by producing excess collagen, which can result in raised or keloid scarring.

The likelihood of scarring and the type of acne scars you’ll end up with depend on your predisposition to scarring, but the severity of your acne and damage from picking and popping also play a big part.

Instead of textured scarring, some people are left with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks) or erythema (redness).

How Lasers Treat Facial Acne Scars

Lasers treat acne scars by correcting the disruption in collagen that led to scarring in the first place, and by triggering new, healthier collagen production.

The laser emits light energy that is absorbed by different chromophores in the skin. The light transforms into thermal energy, which stimulates dermal fibroblasts —the dermal cells responsible for producing collagen. The laser’s stimulation improves collagen production, helping repair indented scars.

In addition to this deep stimulation, some laser treatments (known as ablative lasers) also remove layers of the epidermis, helping to clear away some of the textured skin.

Lasers can also help treat active acne, reducing blemish count and preventing scars from forming in the first place.

What’s the Best Laser Treatment for Acne Scars?

Choosing the best laser treatment for acne scars is subjective. It depends on the kind of results you want, how much discomfort or downtime you’re willing to tolerate, the type of acne scars, your skin tone, and how much money you’re willing to spend. Your treatment options include two main laser categories: ablative and non-ablative.

Ablative Lasers

Ablative lasers, such as the CO2 laser, typically cause greater skin damage, which stimulates a more robust healing response. This makes them very effective for reducing most types of depressed acne scars.

If you’re willing to tolerate more severe side effects or prolonged downtime, ablative lasers like the CO2 laser generally offer the greatest level of acne scar reduction in fewer treatments.

Keep in mind that there is also a greater risk of post-treatment complications, and that ablative lasers may not be safe for those with dark skin. Ablative lasers are also the pricier options, often costing several thousand dollars for a single session.

Non-Ablative Lasers

Non-ablative lasers like the Nd:YAG we use for the SEV Laser Facial stimulate the skin below the surface, for renewal with minimal surface damage or discomfort. Studies show approximately a 30% reduction in all types of depressed acne scars after 8 sessions, with no adverse events.

In addition to treating texture acne scars, non-ablative lasers are also excellent for laser treatments for redness and hyperpigmentation post-breakouts.

They work well on all skin tones, including deeper skin tones that cannot be treated with ablative lasers.

The cost of non-ablative laser treatments for acne scars varies, but they are generally the more affordable option.

Laser Facial Treatment for Acne Scars: Before and After

Because laser treatments for acne scars require so many sessions, it’s hard to find reliable before-and-after images. The technology we use at SEV delivers reliable results, especially when it comes to addressing post-acne redness and hyperpigmentation. Here are a few examples of possible results after just one or two sessions.

Some before-and-after images courtesy of our device manufacturer. Results may vary.

Laser Treatment for Acne Scars Cost

Treating acne scars can be a costly process, and acne laser treatments are often not covered by insurance. You should enter the process ready to spend at least a few thousand dollars.

More intensive laser treatments are more expensive, like the ablative CO2 laser, which costs $3,021 for one treatment on average. Gentler treatments usually cost a lot less, but they do require more sessions to show similar results.

At SEV, a Laser Facial treatment costs just $199, with additional savings through packages or memberships. Even with a full course of treatments, the overall spendings still end up being lower.

Can Lasers Completely Remove Acne Scars?

Acne scars are very complex to treat, so it’s important you approach the laser process with a realistic mindset. Most studies show that laser treatments can reduce the severity of pitted or ice-pick acne scars by anywhere from 25% to 75% depending on the type of laser, but no laser can get rid of all acne scarring.

Whether a laser treatment or a series of treatments will completely remove your acne scars depends on the type of scarring you have, the type of laser you choose, and how many treatments you get.

More intensive lasers often result in faster and more thorough scar reduction, while gentler lasers soften and refine scar texture more gradually.

If you’re experiencing post-acne redness or hyperpigmentation, you’re more likely to achieve complete clarity faster, even with gentler lasers.

If you’re set to completely remove your acne scars, you’ll probably need to have consistent laser treatments over the course of several years, or you’ll need to combine laser with other treatments.

Can Lasers Treat Keloid Scarring?

Lasers treat depressed scars by stimulating new collagen, so they may worsen keloid scarring. Treating keloid scars with lasers often requires a multi-modal approach that incorporates treatments that suppress the immune response, like corticosteroids. This is why we don’t offer laser treatments to clients prone to keloids at SEV.

If you have keloid scarring, consider speaking to a scar specialist. They’ll have the expertise to recommend a combination of modalities that is more likely to flatten your scars. Beyond that, keep in mind that keloid scars have a very high risk of recurrence, and that as of now, there is no gold-standard treatment.

Common Side Effects

Laser treatment side effects vary widely in severity depending on treatment intensity. Commonly, after a gentle laser facial, the side effects are minimal and temporary, with a bit of heat, redness, and potentially a few bumps.

Intensive or ablative laser treatments for acne scars result in more significant side effects, such as discomfort, swelling, and redness that last for several weeks or even months. The risk of adverse events such as hyperpigmentation is also greater.

How to Prepare for a Laser Treatment

Laser treatments for acne scars require a little bit of preparation.

Your skin should be as resilient as possible before treatment, which means you’ll need to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen diligently for at least a few weeks before treatment. Any tan, including the use of self-tanner, can increase your risk of complications and make you ineligible for treatment.

You’ll also need to take a break from resurfacing skincare, including AHAs, BHAs, and topical acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide for 1 week. Prescription treatments like tretinoin require a 2-week break.

Make sure you’ve been off other medications for the requisite amount of time, as outlined in the guidance provided by your laser specialist. That can include isotretinoin (Accutane), immunosuppressants, and antibiotics.

Keep in mind that the pre-treatment requirements might be more stringent with intensive laser treatments like CO2 ablative lasers, so you may also need to stop smoking or drinking alcohol before treatment.

Book a Laser Facial for Acne Scars at SEV

With zero downtime or discomfort, SEV’s Laser Facial is a fantastic option if you’re nervous about painful lasers. Studies show that continuous treatments can improve skin clarity and texture. Your first laser treatment for acne scars is free with code HELLOGLOW, so why not give it a try?

References

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2. Connolly, D., Vu, H. L., Mariwalla, K., & Saedi, N. (2017). Acne Scarring-Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Treatment Options. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 10(9), 12–23.

3. Haji Mohammadi, A., Seirafianpour, F., Khosravi, M., Jafarzadeh, A., Neshastesaz Kashi, H., Baradaran, H., & Goodarzi, A. (2025). A systematic review of comparative clinical trials on the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction of ablative and non-ablative laser therapies for atrophic, hypertrophic, and keloid scars. Lasers in medical science, 40(1), 280. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-025-04519-3

4. Lipper, G. M., & Perez, M. (2006). Nonablative acne scar reduction after a series of treatments with a short-pulsed 1,064-nm neodymium:YAG laser. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 32(8), 998–1006. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2006.32222.x

5. Keller, R., Belda Júnior, W., Valente, N. Y., & Rodrigues, C. J. (2007). Nonablative 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser for treating atrophic facial acne scars: histologic and clinical analysis. Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.], 33(12), 1470–1476. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33318.x

6. Orofino, E. (2024, April 30). How Much Does CO2 Laser Cost, and Is It Worth It? | RealSelf. RealSelf.com. https://www.realself.com/nonsurgical/co2-laser/cost

7. Ekstein, S. F., Wyles, S. P., Moran, S. L., & Meves, A. (2021). Keloids: a review of therapeutic management. International journal of dermatology, 60(6), 661–671. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15159