Treatments
Acne Scar Removal
Acne scar treatment in Indiranagar, planned around the type of scars you have. Dr. Sanjana Shivashankar combines fractional CO2 laser, microneedling, subcision and TCA CROSS, so each scar gets the method that actually lifts it.
Acne scars or acne marks?
Not every mark left by acne is a scar. Flat brown or red marks are pigment, and they usually fade with sunscreen, peels or laser toning. True acne scars change the texture of the skin: they sit below or above the surface and need treatment that rebuilds collagen. Knowing which you have decides the plan.
Types of acne scars
- Ice pick scars: narrow, deep pits that can look like large open pores.
- Boxcar scars: wider, flat-bottomed dents with sharp edges.
- Rolling scars: soft, wave-like dips caused by bands pulling the skin down from below.
- Raised scars: firm, lumpy scars, more common on the jaw, chest and back.
Acne scar treatment in Indiranagar at Theory of Skin
- Fractional CO2 laser: creates tiny columns of controlled injury that trigger new collagen, smoothing boxcar and rolling scars over a few sessions.
- MNRF (microneedling radiofrequency): fine needles deliver heat under the surface, useful for rolling scars and texture with less visible downtime.
- Subcision: a fine needle releases the bands that pull rolling scars down, so the skin can lift.
- TCA CROSS: a strong acid placed precisely inside ice pick scars to build them up from the base.
- Chemical peels: for the flat marks that often sit around scars. See chemical peel.
Raised scars are handled differently, usually with injections and laser rather than resurfacing.
How the plan works
- Active acne is brought under control first, because new pimples create new scars.
- Your scars are mapped by type and depth under good light.
- Methods are combined in the same plan, for example subcision followed by laser.
- Sessions are spaced about four to six weeks apart so collagen has time to rebuild.
- Progress is reviewed with photos before each next step.
How many sessions, and what results to expect
Most people need three to five sessions of fractional CO2 laser or MNRF, often with subcision or TCA CROSS in between. Scars soften and become shallower over several months as collagen builds. A clear, visible improvement is realistic; complete removal of deep scars is not, and you will be told so honestly at the first visit.
Downtime
After fractional CO2 laser, expect redness and fine peeling for about five to seven days. MNRF and subcision usually leave redness or mild bruising for a few days. Sunscreen is essential between sessions, especially on Indian skin, which darkens easily after inflammation.
Acne scar removal in Indiranagar: common questions
The improvement from treatment is long-lasting, because the new collagen stays. Deep scars rarely disappear completely, but most people see a clear change. Read more in can acne scars be removed?
Usually three to five, about four to six weeks apart, depending on scar depth and skin type.
A numbing cream is applied before laser and MNRF, so most people feel warmth and prickling rather than pain. Subcision is done under local anaesthetic.
It depends on the scar types, the area treated and the number of sessions, so the cost is quoted after your scars are assessed. The acne scar removal cost guide explains typical ranges.
Active acne is treated first with clinical acne treatment. Scar treatment starts once breakouts are under control.
No. Dark spots are flat pigment and usually fade with sunscreen, peels or creams. Scars change the texture of the skin, as dents or raised bumps, and need treatment that rebuilds collagen.
Red and brown marks often fade over months. True pitted scars do not go away on their own, though they can soften slightly over time.
There is no single best one. The best results come from combining methods matched to each scar, for example subcision followed by fractional CO2 laser.
A fine needle is passed under a rolling scar to release the bands pulling it down, so the skin can lift. It is done under local anaesthetic and often combined with laser.
Acne scar treatment is part of laser treatments and aesthetic dermatology at the Indiranagar clinic. For a step-by-step comparison, read chemical peel or laser for acne scars.
Visit Theory of Skin
- Address
- 578, 9th A Main Rd, 1st Stage, Defence Colony, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038
- Phone
- +91 96862 37333
- Clinic hours
- Monday to Saturday, 11 AM to 7 PM
- Getting here
- Indiranagar Metro (Purple Line), 10-minute walk.
