Your Acne Is Gone, but the Scars Aren’t: Why Fall Is the Season to Finally Treat Them

For many people, acne scars are the frustrating reminder of a battle they thought they’d already won. The breakouts may have cleared up years ago, but the pits, dents, and uneven texture remain. You might cover them with makeup, avoid certain lighting, or angle your face just so in photos.

The good news is that acne scars can often be improved significantly with the right approach. And fall, when the sun is softer and you’re spending less time outdoors, is one of the best times of year to start. At Beverly Hills Aesthetics in Los Angeles, Dr. Sam Assassa has focused exclusively on non-surgical aesthetic medicine for more than 30 years. Board certified in internal medicine, he founded Beverly Hills Aesthetics in 1995, has performed more than 25,000 aesthetic procedures, and has served as founder and president of the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery since 2006.

Here’s what you should know about acne scars and how they can be treated.

Not All Acne Scars Are the Same

One of the biggest reasons acne scar treatments fall short is that they treat every scar the same way. In reality, there are several types of acne scars, and each responds to different treatments. As Dr. Assassa puts it, “There is no acne scar treatment. There are four or five of them, and the work is figuring out which scars you actually have.”

The most common types include:

• Ice Pick Scars: Narrow, deep, and steep-sided, like a small puncture. They extend deep into the skin and often resist surface-level treatments.
• Boxcar Scars: Wider scars with defined edges and a flat base, like a small crater. These often respond well to resurfacing.
• Rolling Scars: Broad, shallow scars with sloping edges. They’re tethered beneath the skin by fibrous bands that pull the surface down.
• Hypertrophic and Keloid Scars: Raised scars caused by excess collagen. These are treated very differently from depressed scars.

Most people have more than one type of scar, which is why a personalized plan matters.

Why Fall Is a Great Time to Treat Acne Scars

Many acne scar treatments work by stimulating the skin to heal and rebuild collagen. During that healing process, skin can be more sensitive to the sun. Fall and winter make recovery easier for several reasons:

• Lower Sun Exposure: Less intense sunlight makes it easier to protect healing skin.
• More Time Indoors: Cooler weather means fewer long days at the beach or pool.
• Time for a Series: Many patients need multiple treatments, and starting in fall gives you time to see results by spring and summer.
• Holiday Planning: Starting now can help you feel more confident by the time holiday events arrive.

Even in fall, daily sunscreen is essential, especially in sunny Southern California.

Subcision: The Step Many Treatments Skip

For rolling scars, the problem isn’t only on the surface. Fibrous bands underneath the skin anchor the scar and pull it downward. As Dr. Assassa explains, “You can resurface a rolling scar forever and it will keep sitting down, because something underneath is holding it there.”

Subcision is a minor procedure that addresses this problem directly. A blunt cannula is passed beneath the depressed area in a fan pattern to release the tethering bands, allowing the skin to rise.

Subcision tends to work best for rolling scars. It’s less effective for deep boxcar scars and generally isn’t suitable for ice pick scars. After subcision, patients can expect bruising, swelling, and tenderness that typically resolve within one to two weeks. Many patients need more than one session for more extensive scarring.

Building a Combination Treatment Plan

Because most people have multiple scar types, the best results often come from combining treatments. At Beverly Hills Aesthetics, options may include:

• Subcision: Releases the fibrous bands that pull rolling scars down.
• Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing: Removes damaged surface tissue and stimulates the skin to rebuild.
• Microneedling: Encourages collagen production with minimal downtime.
• Dermal Fillers and Fat Grafting: Add volume to depressed areas.
• Steroid Injections: Help flatten raised hypertrophic or keloid scars.

Sequencing matters. Releasing tethered scars before resurfacing helps make sure the surface treatment isn’t wasted. A typical approach addresses tethering first, then texture, then remaining depth.

What Results Can You Expect?

Acne scar treatment is a process, not a single appointment. Improvement from subcision often becomes visible as bruising fades and continues to develop over the following months as the skin heals. Resurfacing and microneedling results also build gradually as new collagen forms.

Results vary from person to person, and most patients see improvement rather than complete removal of scars. Not everyone is a candidate for every treatment. Factors such as skin type, scar type, active acne, and medical history all play a role. A consultation is the best way to learn which treatments may work for you.

This blog is for educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for medical advice.

Preparing for Treatment

To get the most from your acne scar treatment:

• Control Active Acne First: Treating active breakouts helps prevent new scars from forming.
• Protect Your Skin From the Sun: Avoid tanning before and after treatment.
• Share Your Health History: Let your provider know about medications, supplements, and past skin treatments.
• Follow Aftercare Instructions: Proper aftercare supports healing and results.
• Be Patient: Collagen remodeling takes time, and results continue to improve for months.

Acne Scar FAQs

Can acne scars be completely removed?

Most treatments aim to significantly improve the appearance of scars rather than erase them completely.

How many treatments will I need?

It depends on your scar types and severity. Many patients benefit from a series of treatments.

Is subcision painful?

The area is numbed for comfort. Bruising and tenderness afterward are normal.

Can I treat acne scars if I still get breakouts?

Active acne should usually be controlled first. Your provider can help you plan the right timing.

Smooth Your Skin With Beverly Hills Aesthetics

You’ve already moved past acne. Now it’s time to move past the scars, too. With a personalized plan that addresses each type of scar, you can enjoy smoother, more even skin and feel more confident in every photo.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Sam Assassa at Beverly Hills Aesthetics today. Visit us at 640 South San Vicente Blvd, Suite #210, Los Angeles, CA 90048.