Treatment duration
Sessions commonly take 30–90 minutes depending on area and combination. A course separated by healing intervals is common, but the number is determined after assessment.
Texture and scar remodelling
Acne Scar Treatment in Rawalpindi
Acne scars are treated according to scar shape, depth, tethering, colour and skin type. Most patients have more than one scar pattern, so a staged combination plan may be more appropriate than one device for the whole face.
Treatment explained
What is Acne Scar Treatment?
Permanent acne scars form when inflammation damages or overproduces collagen. Depressed scars include ice-pick, rolling and boxcar patterns; raised hypertrophic or keloid scars require a different approach. Flat red or brown marks are discoloration rather than textural scars.
Problems and conditions
What can Acne Scar Treatment address?
- Rolling or tethered depressions
- Shallow or deep boxcar scars
- Narrow ice-pick scars
- Selected enlarged pores and uneven texture
- Raised scars after acne
- Residual red or brown acne marks
Possible suitability
Who may be a suitable candidate?
- Patients whose active acne is reasonably controlled
- People with realistic improvement goals rather than an expectation of perfectly smooth skin
- Patients able to follow sun protection and aftercare
- Those willing to consider staged or combined methods
Safety screening
Who may not be suitable?
- Uncontrolled inflammatory or cystic acne
- Active infection or an untreated flare in the area
- Recent tanning or inability to protect from sun
- A history that makes a proposed procedure unsafe without further assessment
This list is not exhaustive. The treating clinician must confirm contraindications and any condition-specific precautions.
Individual assessment
Consultation and treatment planning
The face is examined in directional light and, where appropriate, stretched to identify tethering. The clinician records scar types, active acne, pigment tendency, previous isotretinoin or procedures, keloid history and acceptable downtime.
Step-by-step overview
How the treatment is performed
- Classify scarsSeparate depressed, narrow, tethered, raised and pigmented changes.
- Match techniqueConsider microneedling, radiofrequency, resurfacing, subcision, focal treatment, filler or scar injection according to morphology.
- Stage treatmentTreat the highest-impact scar pattern first and allow remodelling before reassessment.
- Review objectivelyUse consistent photographs and decide whether further sessions offer reasonable benefit.
Anaesthesia or comfort measures
Topical numbing is common for needling or resurfacing. Subcision, focal excision or deeper work may need injected local anaesthetic.
The exact technique, setting and anaesthetic plan require confirmation from the treating clinician after examination.
Downtime and healing
Expected recovery period
Surface rednessAbout 2–7 days
Downtime varies from mild needling to stronger resurfacing.
Pigment vigilanceSeveral weeks
Pakistani skin tones need careful sun protection and monitoring for darkening.
Collagen remodellingAbout 3–6 months
Improvement develops between sessions and can continue after the course.
When results may become apparent
The goal is meaningful softening, not complete erasure. Deep ice-pick or tethered scars often need targeted methods, and residual pigment may require separate treatment.
Recovery and result timing are general ranges, not guarantees. Your written instructions and review findings take priority.
Potential benefits
What the treatment may offer
- Treatment matched to scar morphology
- Potential improvement in texture and shadowing
- Combination options for mixed scars
- Progress assessed over time rather than promised after one session
Informed consent
Risks, limitations and complications
- Prolonged redness or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
- Infection, acne flare or cold-sore reactivation
- New scarring or texture change
- Incomplete improvement and need for multiple procedures
Before treatment
Preparation instructions
- Share your medicines, allergies, pregnancy status, tendency to cold sores and history of pigment or scar problems.
- Avoid deliberate tanning and protect the area from strong sun before treatment.
- Pause irritating acids, retinoids or exfoliants only when the treating clinician tells you to do so.
- Arrive with clean skin and no makeup, fragranced product or active product on the treatment area.
After treatment
Aftercare
- Use the gentle cleanser, moisturiser and broad-spectrum sun protection advised for your skin.
- Do not pick flakes, crusts or spots; allow the treated surface to heal naturally.
- Avoid unapproved active products, scrubs, heat and heavy exercise for the advised interval.
- Contact the clinic for increasing pain, blistering, spreading redness, discharge, eye symptoms or unexpected pigment change.
Why choose Dr Husnain Aesthetic Clinic?
Experienced plastic and cosmetic surgery for Rawalpindi & Islamabad
Care is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr Husnain Khan, MBBS, MCPS, FCPS, MRCS, plastic and cosmetic surgeon. He has more than 17 years of experience, is Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, has worked in the UK NHS and is listed with GMC reference 7427786.
These credentials do not guarantee an outcome. The purpose of consultation is to decide whether treatment is reasonable for you and explain alternatives, limitations and follow-up.
Personalised quotation
Acne Scar Treatment cost in Rawalpindi
A responsible quotation follows consultation because price depends on the treatment plan rather than the page name alone. Relevant factors include:
- Scar types and the size of the treatment area
- Single treatment versus a combined plan
- Depth, device time and anaesthesia
- Number of staged sessions and reviews
The published rate-list value is not a guaranteed final quotation. Ask what the written quotation includes and whether future sessions, tests, medicines or follow-up are separate.
Read the treatment-cost planning guide →Patient questions
Acne Scar Treatment FAQs
Which treatment is best for acne scars?
There is no single best method. Scar type, depth, tethering, skin tone, active acne and downtime determine the plan.
Can acne scars be removed completely?
Treatment can soften scars, but complete removal is uncommon and should not be guaranteed.
Is microneedling or CO2 laser better?
Microneedling generally has less surface injury, while fractional CO2 can provide stronger resurfacing with more downtime and pigment risk. Suitability differs.
What is subcision used for?
Subcision releases selected fibrous bands beneath rolling or tethered scars. It does not treat every scar type.
How many sessions will I need?
The number depends on scar pattern, chosen method, response and desired improvement. A fixed number cannot be promised before assessment.
Can dark acne marks be treated at the same time?
Sometimes, but active inflammation and pigment sensitivity may make a staged plan safer.
Can scars return after treatment?
Treated scars do not usually return in the same way, but new acne can create new scars and ageing changes skin texture.
Are acne scar treatments safe for darker skin?
Several options can be used, but conservative settings, sun protection and pigment-risk planning are important.
Independent patient information
Evidence and safety resources
These external resources support further reading. They do not replace advice from the clinician responsible for your care.
Would you like an individual assessment?
Request a private appointment in Rawalpindi. Patients from Islamabad, elsewhere in Pakistan and overseas can ask what information is needed before travelling.
General patient information · Last reviewed 21 September 2026 · This page does not replace an examination, diagnosis or informed-consent discussion.