Acne Scar Treatment in Korea — The Complete Guide to Methods That Match Your Scar Type

Last updated 2026-10-28

⏱Treatment time

Treatment 20–60 minutes (about 1–2 hours including numbing)

✋Pain

Stinging and a pulling sensation after numbing; most people find it tolerable

🩹Downtime

Laser / microneedling: redness and tiny scabs for 3–7 days / Subcision: bruising and swelling for 3–10 days

🏨Recommended stay

At least 4–5 days recommended per treatment; schedule photo-sensitive plans for 1 week or later

✨Results begin

Gradual over 1–3 months, becoming clearer as sessions add up

📅How long it lasts

Improved areas tend to last; managing new breakouts is important

🔁Sessions

Depressed scars: 3–5+ sessions, 4–6 weeks apart / Color marks: several sessions, 2–4 weeks apart

Send photos of your scars and we'll tell you your scar types and expected number of sessions — freeGet a free consultation →

Contents

Who this suits / What to check first
What type of scar do I have?
Red and brown marks are different from scars
Treatment combinations by scar type
How many sessions, and how far apart?
Short trip vs. repeat visits — a realistic plan
Treatment-day flow
Downtime — how the days unfold
Tips while traveling
Sun protection and care after treatment
Good questions to ask at your consultation
How to choose a clinic

Who this suits / What to check first

Acne scars are rarely finished with a single procedure. In most cases, several methods are combined to match the shape of the scars and spread over multiple sessions. This page explains which treatments suit which scars and how to plan around a trip from abroad.

You have sunken scars on your cheeks or temples that makeup cannot hide
Your skin texture is uneven and casts shadows in the light
Your acne has settled but red or brown marks have stayed for a long time
You can come to Korea several times, or want a diagnosis and a long-term plan on your first visit

If new pimples keep appearing, treating the acne comes before treating scars. Strong scar procedures on inflamed skin can actually make marks worse. Also, please tell us if you are taking isotretinoin (oral acne medication) or stopped recently. The doctor will adjust the type and timing of treatment.

What type of scar do I have?

The treatments that work best depend on the scar type. Most faces have a mix of several types.

Type	Appearance	Characteristics	Main methods used
Icepick	Narrow, deep, pit-like holes, as if pricked with a pick	Small (2 mm wide or less) but deep	TCA CROSS, punch procedures
Boxcar	Square or round depressions with sharp edges and a flat base	Can be shallow or deep	Fractional laser, radiofrequency microneedling, TCA CROSS
Rolling	Soft, wave-like dips with blurry edges	Caused by fibrous bands under the skin pulling the surface down	Subcision, radiofrequency microneedling, collagen-stimulating injections
Hypertrophic / keloid	Raised, bulging scars	Tend to form on the jawline, chest and back	Treated separately, e.g. scar injections or vascular laser

If the marks look softer when you gently stretch the skin with your hand, they are often rolling scars; if they stay the same, they are more likely boxcar or icepick scars. An accurate assessment requires an in-person exam by a doctor under proper lighting.

Red and brown marks are different from scars

The flat color marks left after acne are a matter of color, not sunken skin. The treatment and the recovery time are different.

Category	Appearance	Treatment direction
Red marks (post-inflammatory erythema)	Flat pink or red marks	Redness treatments such as vascular laser or IPL; may also fade with time
Brown marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, PIH)	Flat brown or dark marks	Toning laser, topical brightening products, strict sun protection
Depressed scars	Skin sits lower than the surrounding surface	Regenerative treatments such as laser, microneedling and subcision

If you only have color marks, you can start with low-downtime lasers with relatively little disruption to your trip. If you have both depressed scars and color marks, treatment usually focuses on the depressed scars, with color-mark treatment added in between.

Tell us your travel dates and we'll build a treatment plan around your recovery timeGet a free consultation →

Treatment combinations by scar type

Korean dermatology clinics commonly use combination treatment, mixing two or three of the methods below to suit your scars.

Treatment	How it works	Best for	Downtime
Fractional laser	Creates microscopic columns of controlled injury to trigger regeneration	Boxcar scars, overall skin texture	Redness and tiny scabs for 3–7 days
Radiofrequency microneedling	Fine needles deliver radiofrequency heat deep into the skin (e.g. Potenza)	Boxcar and rolling scars, with enlarged pores	Redness and needle marks for 2–5 days
Subcision	A fine needle cuts the fibrous bands pulling the base of the scar down	Rolling scars, deep boxcar scars	Bruising and swelling for 3–10 days
TCA CROSS	High-concentration acid is dabbed only inside the scar pit	Icepick scars, narrow and deep boxcar scars	Small scabs for 5–7 days
Skin booster / collagen-stimulating injections	Injects regenerative ingredients or substances that help produce collagen	Shallow depressions; recovery support after treatment	Injection marks and small bruises for 1–3 days
Pigment / redness laser	A laser that targets only color and blood vessels	Red and brown marks	None to 1 day

What matters more than the device or product name is which method is used on which scar, and in what order. At your consultation, ask for an explanation of why each method is chosen. If injectable products are used, you can ask for them to be opened in front of you so you can check the product name and volume, and ask to see the empty container or label afterwards.

How many sessions, and how far apart?

Depressed scars do not disappear in one go. Plan on a course of about 3–5 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart, and deep scars may need more.
New collagen forms over several months after treatment, so changes become clear only after sessions have built up and a few months have passed.
Subcision and TCA CROSS are usually done about 1–3 times, with laser or microneedling in between to refine the overall texture.
Red and brown marks are often treated with several gentle laser sessions 2–4 weeks apart.

The goal is not to erase scars completely but to make them less noticeable. The degree of improvement varies from person to person depending on scar depth and skin type.

Short trip vs. repeat visits — a realistic plan

If you can visit once

A consultation and diagnosis sort out your scar types and give you a full treatment plan.
You have one combination treatment (e.g. subcision + laser or microneedling) within what you can recover from during your stay.
After you return home, sun protection and moisturizing support recovery, and you share progress by photo.

If you can visit several times

Schedule visits 1–2 months apart, changing the method each time to match the state of your scars.
Deep scars (subcision, TCA CROSS) are often treated early, and overall texture refinement and color-mark treatment later.
After 3–5 sessions, you compare photos and decide whether to add more.

We do not recommend compressing many sessions into one trip. Giving your skin time to recover lets the regenerative effect build up and lowers the risk of side effects.

Treatment-day flow

1
Check-in and consultation (about 20–30 min): the scar type and depth are checked under side lighting, and the methods for today are decided. Your manager interprets.
2
Photostaking before photos under the same conditions makes comparison easier at later visits.
3
Numbing cream (about 30–40 min)applied to reduce the sensation of needles or laser. For subcision, a local anesthetic injection is sometimes used as well.
4
Treatment (20–60 min)the planned methods are performed in order.
5
Soothing care and going homefinish with cooling and a soothing cream, then receive aftercare instructions and your next appointment.

Downtime — how the days unfold

Based on a combined laser, microneedling and subcision treatment

Day of treatment
Your whole face is red and feels hot, like a sunburn. Subcision areas may swell and bruise.
Days 1–3
Redness and swelling are most noticeable. Tiny grain-like scabs form on laser-treated areas.
Days 4–7
As the scabs fall off, the redness fades and most of it can be covered with makeup. Bruises turn yellow and clear.
Weeks 2–4
A faint pink tint may remain. Sun exposure during this period makes brown marks likely.
Months 1–3
Collagen builds up and the scars gradually become shallower.

Areas treated with TCA CROSS turn white, then form small scabs that fall off around days 5–7. Never pick at the scabs.

Tips while traveling

Schedule photo-important plans (sightseeing shoots, events) at least 1 week after treatment.
For 2–3 days after treatment, avoid saunas, jjimjilbang, swimming pools, alcohol and strenuous exercise.
Be sure to bring a hat, mask and sunscreen for outdoor plans.
You can usually fly from the next day, but cabin air is dry, so carry a moisturizer. If you have swelling from subcision, we recommend a clinic check before you leave.
If possible, finish treatment 2–3 days before departure so you can have your progress checked once before you leave.

Sun protection and care after treatment

Sun protection is the most important habit for protecting your results. Apply it daily for at least 1–2 months and reapply every 2–3 hours.
For 1 week, skip retinol, exfoliants, peels and scrubs.
Apply the regenerative cream and moisturizer from the clinic generously.
Leave scabs alone until they fall off by themselves; do not touch or squeeze them.
If a new pimple appears, do not squeeze it. Send the clinic a photo.

Contact your manager right away if

Redness, swelling or pain gets worse day by day
Yellow discharge or pus appears, or the heat spreads
Blisters form, or the skin under a scab looks deeply dented

Good questions to ask at your consultation

What types of scars do I have mixed together?
What methods are you doing today, in what order, and why that combination?
How many sessions and what spacing do you think I need? Is that possible with my travel schedule?
How many days of downtime will this treatment have, and what will my skin look like on my departure day?
Do my current pimples or color marks need separate treatment?
What should I apply and what should I avoid after I return home?
Can you check my progress by photo?

How to choose a clinic

A board-certified dermatologist personally diagnoses the scar type and explains the treatment plan
They use different methods for different scar types instead of recommending only one device
The doctor personally performs hand-skill procedures such as subcision and TCA CROSS
They take before and after photos under the same conditions and compare them with you
They do not push excessive intensity or too-frequent repeat sessions from the first visit
They offer foreign-language service and check your progress by photo after you return home

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong led by board-certified dermatologists. Send photos of your scars before your consultation (front, both sides and, if possible, a photo with light shining from the side) and we will tell you in advance your scar types, the expected number of sessions and the treatment scope that fits your schedule. On treatment day, a dedicated manager accompanies and interprets for you.

Partner clinics offering this treatment

IEUL SKIN CLINICGangnam, Seoul색소 미백 · 난치성 반점 · 탄력 개선 리프팅 · 여드름 흉터 JUAN CLINICGangnam, Seoul리프팅 · 흉터 · 줄기세포 · 잔주름 IS-ON CLINICSeoul Apgujeong레이저와 리프팅 · 보톡스 · 필러 · 스킨부스터 등 비수술적 시술과 상안검을 비롯한 성형수술 NANA Dermatology ClinicSeoul Apgujeong리프팅 · 타이트닝 · 입술 필러 · 울쎄라 VOS Dermatology ClinicGangnam, Seoul울쎄라 · 쥬베룩 · 라풀렌 윤곽고정술 · 써마지

Frequently asked questions

Can acne scars be removed completely?

It is hard to remove depressed scars completely, but the goal is to make them less noticeable over several sessions. The degree of improvement depends on scar depth and type and on your skin type.

How many sessions do I need?

Depressed scars are usually planned as a course of about 3–5 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart, and deep scars may need more. Red and brown marks are often treated with several gentle laser sessions 2–4 weeks apart.

Is a single visit still worthwhile?

Yes. You can get an accurate diagnosis, a long-term plan and one combination treatment that fits your schedule. However, rather than expecting a big change from one visit, we recommend planning your next visit at the same time.

When will I see results?

Right after treatment, swelling can make scars look temporarily shallower. The real change appears gradually over 1–3 months as collagen builds up, and becomes clearer as sessions add up.

How much downtime is there?

It depends on the method, but with laser or microneedling, redness and tiny scabs can last 3–7 days, and with subcision, bruising and swelling can last 3–10 days. The intensity and scope can be adjusted to fit your travel schedule.

Does it hurt?

Treatment is done after numbing cream, so most people find it tolerable. For subcision, a local anesthetic injection is often used as well.

Can I get scar treatment while I still have acne?

As a rule, when inflammatory acne is active, acne treatment comes first. If the acne is mild, it may be managed together with scar treatment, so this is decided after a doctor's exam.

I am taking oral acne medication (isotretinoin).

Please tell us if you are taking it or stopped recently. The doctor will judge and adjust the type and timing of treatment.

Are red and brown marks also scars?

Flat red or brown marks are a color issue, not depressed scars, and are treated separately with redness or pigment lasers and sun protection. Downtime is usually shorter than for depressed scars.

Can I fly the day after treatment?

Most people can fly the next day. Cabin air is dry, so bring a moisturizer, and if you had a treatment with significant swelling, it is best to have the clinic check your condition before you leave.