Understanding your skin
Acne Scarring & Texture
About acne scarring & texture
When a deep breakout heals, it can leave changes in the skin. Scars form when inflammation damages collagen, leaving pitted or indented areas, and uneven texture and enlarged-looking pores often come with them.
Scarring is one of the harder concerns to change, but treatments that stimulate collagen can soften its appearance over a course. Red or brown marks left after breakouts are not true scars, and usually fade faster with the right care.
What causes it
- Deep, inflamed breakouts such as cysts and nodules
- Picking or squeezing spots
- Active acne that went untreated for a long time
- Genetics and skin type
- Collagen loss with age, which can make existing scars look deeper
Signs to look for
- Small, deep pits (ice pick scars)
- Wider, rounded dips in the skin (rolling scars)
- Box-shaped dips with sharp edges (boxcar scars)
- Rough, uneven texture
- Red or brown marks left after breakouts
Active breakouts need to be under control before treatments like skin needling. Deep or raised scars may also benefit from a dermatologist’s review.
How we treat it
Scar and texture treatments work best as a course, starting once active breakouts have settled.
Skin Discovery Treatment
Skin analysis, a consultation and a tailored plan for your scarring and texture.
Learn more →Renewal Skin Treatment
A corrective treatment combining a personalised modality with an advanced one, such as micro infusion or skin needling.
Learn more →Skin Needling Skin Treatment
Stimulates the skin’s natural repair response to help soften the look of scarring and refine texture over a course.
See skin treatments →Dermaplaning
Removes dead skin and fine hair from the surface for smoother-feeling, more even-looking skin.
See skin treatments →Save 15%Transformative Program
LED, micro and skin needling treatments for stronger results and visible skin improvement.
See packages →MembershipRenewal Club
A Renewal Skin Treatment every month, plus 25% off ASI skincare. Save 20%.
See memberships →Recommended skincare
Resurfacing and repairing products to support smoother, more even-looking skin between treatments.
Australian Skin Institute skincare is freshly formulated on the Gold Coast with our partners at Tugun Compounding Pharmacy.
Frequently asked questions
Can acne scars be removed completely?
Scars usually cannot be erased, but a course of treatments can noticeably soften how they look and improve overall texture.
How many treatments will I need?
Most clients need a course of treatments, as collagen rebuilds gradually. Your therapist will recommend a plan at your Skin Discovery Treatment.
Can I treat scars while I still have breakouts?
We start by getting active breakouts under control. Treatments like skin needling are done once the skin has settled.
Are red or brown marks scars?
No. Marks left after breakouts are post-inflammatory changes and usually fade over time. Brightening products and pigmentation treatments can help them fade faster.
Not sure where to start?
A Skin Discovery Treatment ($99, valued at $180) includes a professional skin analysis and a treatment and homecare plan made for your skin.
