Acne scars are marks or indentations left behind when acne lesions heal. They form when the skin tries to repair itself after inflammation caused by breakouts. In some cases, the body produces too little or too much collagen during the healing process, leading to uneven texture or discolouration.
There are different types of acne scars, such as:
Ice pick scars, which are deep and narrow.
Boxcar scars, which are wider with sharp edges.
Rolling scars, which create a wave-like or uneven texture on the skin’s surface.
Keloid scars, which are raised and form when too much collagen is produced.
Preventing these scars begins before they form – by calming inflammation early, avoiding skin trauma, and supporting healing properly during breakouts.
Scarring often happens when inflammation damages deeper layers of the skin. The risk of acne scars increases when you pick or squeeze pimples, as this pushes bacteria deeper into the skin and delays healing. Even minor acne breakouts can lead to marks or discolouration if they become inflamed.
Other factors, such as skin type, genetics, and the severity of acne, can also affect how likely you are to develop scars. People with deeper skin tones may notice dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), while others experience textural scarring.
Once scars form, they can be stubborn and require professional treatments to fade. Preventive care, on the other hand, helps stop inflammation and protect collagen integrity from the start. This means treating acne gently, reducing irritation, and supporting your skin barrier with proper hydration and repair-focused ingredients.
Here are some dermatologist-recommended ways to keep breakouts from turning into long-term scars:
Treat acne early. Don’t wait for spots to worsen. Early intervention reduces the risk of deep inflammation that leads to scarring.
Avoid picking or squeezing pimples. This worsens inflammation and can cause permanent tissue damage.
Soothe inflammation. Use calming ingredients like niacinamide or centella asiatica to reduce redness and promote faster healing.
Keep the skin barrier strong. Moisturised skin heals better. Look for ceramide or hyaluronic acid-based moisturisers.
Use sunscreen daily. UV exposure can darken acne marks and delay healing.
Maintain consistent care. Fluctuating between harsh treatments and neglect can cause irritation that worsens scarring.
The goal is to control acne while preserving the skin’s ability to heal naturally.
Our worst nightmare.
Even with the best prevention, inflamed acne sometimes ruptures, especially large pustules or cystic spots. When this happens, the goal is to minimise infection, reduce inflammation, and prevent scarring.
If a pimple pops and starts oozing pus or blood:
Cleanse gently. Rinse the area with mild, non-foaming cleanser and lukewarm water. Avoid harsh scrubbing or rubbing the spot.
Disinfect carefully. Pat dry with a clean tissue and apply an antibacterial solution or an over-the-counter antiseptic to reduce bacterial spread.
If it continues to leak:
Do not keep wiping or squeezing it. Instead, use a clean cotton pad to gently absorb the fluid and allow the wound to drain naturally for a few minutes. Then, apply a fresh hydrocolloid patch to draw out any remaining pus, protect the wound from bacteria, and speed up healing.
If the spot remains red, painful, or continues to ooze after 48 hours, consult a dermatologist. It could be an infected cyst that needs professional drainage or topical antibiotics.
Soothe and protect. Apply a calming product containing centella asiatica, panthenol, or aloe vera to reduce redness and support repair.
Seal it off. Use a hydrocolloid pimple patch to absorb fluid, protect the wound, and prevent further touching or infection.
Avoid makeup or active ingredients (retinol, acids) until dried up and healed. The area needs to close and rebuild new tissue before introducing stronger products.
Once healed, focus on barrier repair. Follow up with gentle moisturisers and sunscreen daily to prevent post-inflammatory marks.
Never squeeze out remaining pus manually. This can push bacteria deeper and cause tissue damage that leads to permanent scars.
By treating popped or inflamed acne calmly and hygienically, you help your skin heal faster and reduce the risk of post-acne pigmentation or long-term scarring.
The Corage Plasma Skin Clarifying Ritual is an advanced treatment for acne scars that uses Quantum Molecular Resonance (QMR) technology. Unlike heat-based or ablative devices, this approach rejuvenates the skin through energy resonance, stimulating collagen production and skin renewal without causing thermal damage.
The treatment uses multiple handpieces to target different concerns:
The Plasma Roller sterilises acne bacteria and refines texture, making it ideal for acne-prone skin.
The Egg Handpiece combines gentle vacuum suction and resonance energy to promote cell regeneration and lift depressed scars.
The Ceramic Handpiece helps remove aged skin cells, reduce puffiness, and gradually thicken the dermis.
Because the treatment is regenerative rather than destructive, it’s suitable for those who want visible improvement without downtime. Over several sessions, it helps smooth roughness, lighten marks, and refine the appearance of scars.
Powered by ALMA Harmony AFT technology, the Alma Blemish Reset Pro offers a comprehensive solution for acne scars and post-acne discolouration. It combines IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and NIR (Near-Infrared) energy to rejuvenate the skin both on the surface and deep within.
IPL with Advanced Fluorescence Technology (AFT) targets redness, pigmentation, and residual acne marks. It also encourages gentle collagen production, helping smooth fine scars.
NIR works at deeper levels of the skin, tightening and firming to restore elasticity and improve texture.
This dual approach brightens, evens tone, and renews the skin from within, making it one of the most versatile treatment options for acne scars and dull, uneven complexions.
For more severe cases of acne scars, you may want to consider in clinic treatment options performed by a specialist dermatologist.
Such treatment options may include:
Scar Tissue Resurfacing (e.g., Fractional Laser Resurfacing): Techniques used to remove or remodel the top layers of scarred skin to create a smoother texture.
Subcision with dermal fillers: A procedure to release tethered scar tissue, followed by the injection of a dermal filler or or a bio-regenerative injectable (like polynucleotides (PN) or polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) to lift depressed scars and stimulate long-term collagen production.
Targeted Chemical Remodeling (TCA CROSS): This technique uses a high concentration of Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), typically between 70% to 100%, which is applied only to the base of deep scars using a toothpick or fine needle..
RF Microneedling: Combines Radiofrequency and Microneedling technology to enhance tissue coagulation, tighten existing collagen, and trigger superior new collagen remodeling deep within the scar tissue.
Preventing acne scars starts with consistent, gentle care during breakouts. Treat inflammation early, avoid skin trauma, and prioritise barrier health.
