BA SON · HO CHI MINH CITY
Acne scar treatment in Ho Chi Minh City
Reviews report that combining several methods treats acne scars better than any single method.
Treatments are planned and performed by our doctors at our Ba Son clinic, matched to your scar type.
In short
- Atrophic acne scars come in three main types: icepick (V-shaped), rolling (M-shaped) and boxcar (U-shaped).
- With fractional CO2 laser and RF microneedling, rolling and boxcar scars usually respond better than icepick scars.
- Acne-scar treatment improves scars; it does not remove them completely: no method yet fully resolves acne scars.
- Acne-scar treatment often achieves optimal results with several sessions about a month apart.
Why acne leaves scars, and how common it is
The more severe the acne, the higher the risk of scarring, and experts advise treating acne early to prevent scars.
47%
A meta-analysis of 37 studies found acne scars in about 47% of people with acne, and most acne scars were atrophic.
Liu L et al. Skin Res Technol 2023. DOI
1 in 4
Acne scars genuinely affect quality of life: in a six-country survey of 723 people with acne scars, nearly a quarter reported a very large impact, including some with only mild scars.
Tan J et al. Am J Clin Dermatol 2022. DOI
In a randomized trial, the quality of life of people with acne scars improved significantly after treatment.
Pakla-Misiur A et al. Adv Dermatol Allergol 2021. DOI
Three types of acne scar
Atrophic acne scars come in three main types: icepick (V-shaped), rolling (M-shaped) and boxcar (U-shaped).
Icepick
Narrow and deep, V-shaped
Rolling
Wide and wavy, M-shaped
Boxcar
Flat base, steep edges, U-shaped
With fractional CO2 laser and RF microneedling, rolling and boxcar scars usually respond better than icepick scars.
Most faces have more than one type. Your doctor identifies yours at the consultation.
Red or brown marks are not scars
Red and brown marks after acne are vascular and pigment changes, not depressed scars, and are treated differently, with topicals, pulsed dye laser (PDL) or IPL.
Brown marks after acne
Which treatment for which scar
According to a review that grades the evidence, microneedling, RF microneedling and fractional lasers have the best evidence for mild to moderate acne scars; very deep scars respond poorly to them.
Fractional CO2 laser
According to a 2025 systematic review, most acne-scar patients treated with fractional CO2 laser improved by about 30% to 70% in scar appearance.
RF microneedling
RF microneedling improved acne scars in clinical studies, with a course of 4 sessions 1 month apart.
Subcision (scar release)
Subcision releases the fibrous bands that tether the scar base, and is used for rolling and boxcar scars; not for icepick scars.
Ask at your consultation
TCA CROSS
Reviews report that high-strength TCA applied into each scar (TCA CROSS) is effective for icepick scars.
Ask at your consultation
Microneedling with PRP
A 2021 meta-analysis found that adding PRP to microneedling raised the chance of clear acne-scar improvement compared with microneedling alone.
Hyaluronic acid filler
In a controlled trial, HA filler injected into acne scars improved them significantly more than saline.
Combining methods, and choosing between them
Combining
In a randomized split-face trial in people with skin of color, RF microneedling combined with fractional CO2 reduced acne-scar severity more than CO2 alone, assessed at week 20.
Kim J et al. Yonsei Med J 2023. DOI
In a comparative study, subcision combined with fractional CO2 laser or HA filler gave better results than subcision alone at 6 months.
Abdelwahab AA et al. Lasers Med Sci 2022. DOI
Fractional CO2 or RF microneedling?
A 2026 meta-analysis found fractional CO2 improved acne scars slightly more than RF microneedling, at the cost of more pain and more post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Compared with fractional CO2, RF microneedling causes less post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, less pain and shorter redness, according to a 2026 meta-analysis and head-to-head trials.
Argobi Y et al. J Cosmet Dermatol 2026. DOI
If you are still treating acne
Recent systematic reviews find insufficient evidence to require delaying fractional laser, RF microneedling or superficial to medium peels in people on or recently off isotretinoin; the doctor still decides case by case.
Latifaltojar R et al. J Cosmet Dermatol 2025; Xu Y et al. J Cosmet Dermatol 2024.
What to expect
A course is usually recommended
Acne-scar treatment often achieves optimal results with several sessions about a month apart.
The first days
After fractional CO2 or RF microneedling, redness, swelling and crusting are usual and mostly clear within days. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur, more often in darker skin, and usually fades over weeks.
The following months
New collagen keeps forming for months after the last session, so results are judged after about 6 months.
At 12 months
Some fractional CO2 studies found results maintained at follow-up of up to 12 months.
Acne-scar treatment improves scars; it does not remove them completely: no method yet fully resolves acne scars.
Your plan and price, made for you
Every face is different. At your complimentary consultation, our doctor assesses your scars and recommends the plan that suits you, with your price and this month’s offers.
Questions people ask
Can acne scars be removed completely?
Acne-scar treatment improves scars; it does not remove them completely: no method yet fully resolves acne scars.
How many sessions will I need?
Acne-scar treatment often achieves optimal results with several sessions about a month apart. New collagen keeps forming for months after the last session, so results are judged after about 6 months. Your doctor recommends a plan at your consultation.
Are my red or brown marks scars?
Red and brown marks after acne are vascular and pigment changes, not depressed scars, and are treated differently, with topicals, pulsed dye laser (PDL) or IPL.
Can I have treatment while taking isotretinoin?
Recent systematic reviews find insufficient evidence to require delaying fractional laser, RF microneedling or superficial to medium peels in people on or recently off isotretinoin; the doctor still decides case by case.
How much does acne scar treatment cost?
It depends on your scars and your plan. At your complimentary consultation, our doctor recommends a plan and gives you the price, including current offers.
What about raised scars?
Raised scars (keloids) are a different condition. See our scar treatment page.
Medically reviewed by our doctors
General information; what suits you is decided in person. Studies cited were done on various devices and products; individual results vary.
