Acne Scar Treatment · Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Acne Scar Treatment in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Treatment for rolling, boxcar and ice pick scars, raised scars and lingering red or brown marks, planned by specialist dermatologist Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD, who performs the scar procedures himself.
Specialist consultations from $395 · No referral needed to book · Treatment costs confirmed in writing before you start · See fees
A dermatologist-led clinic, founded by Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD, who teaches laser to dermatologists and registrars and has fellowship training in complex scarring.
Meet Dr MitchAcne Scar Treatment at a Glance
Acne Scar Before and After Photos
Patients of DERM Skin Specialists, photographed in the same conditions.
See more acne scar before and after photos
BeforeAfter 10 weeks
BeforeAfter 6 weeks
Before photo on the left in each pair. Tap a photo to see it larger. Individual results vary. Results depend on scar type, skin type and how your skin heals. All procedures carry risks; see the risks section below.
Send Us Photos of Your Scars
Want to know which treatment suits your scars and roughly what it costs? Fill in a short form, then reply to our text with a few photos. We'll be in touch ASAP about the right consult and a price guide.
Photo tips: one close-up and one from further back. For facial scars, add front and both sides. Normal room light is fine, no filters.
Photos help us guide you but don't replace a consultation. Price guides are estimates; your exact costs are confirmed at your consult. For adults 18 and over. Photos are stored securely by our messaging provider, Podium, which may store data outside Australia.
Can Acne Scars Be Removed?
The short answer: acne scar removal usually means making scars less noticeable, not making them disappear. No treatment erases them completely. Most people need a combination of treatments matched to their scar types, with results building over 3 to 6 months.
An acne scar forms when a deep, inflamed spot damages the collagen under the skin. If the skin makes too little collagen as it heals, you're left with a dent or pit. If it makes too much, you get a raised bump.
Because each scar type forms differently, each responds to a different treatment. A laser that smooths shallow scars won't lift a scar that is tethered down from underneath, and no laser fills a narrow ice pick scar on its own. That's why we start by working out exactly which scars you have.
We see patients from Mount Gravatt and across Brisbane's southside, including Carindale, Holland Park and Sunnybank. Any acne can scar, even mild acne. The best time to treat scars is once your acne is under control, and earlier scars often respond better than old ones.
Collagen is slow
What Results Can You Expect From Acne Scar Treatment?
Many people see a noticeable improvement in how visible their scars are, rather than smooth, scar-free skin. Shallow scars and texture tend to improve most. Deep ice pick scars and tightly tethered scars are harder and usually need more than one type of treatment.
Change builds slowly. Skin often looks better once swelling settles, then keeps improving for 3 to 6 months as new collagen forms. We judge results at least 3 months after your last session.
What the research says. A 2025 mini review found that atrophic, or pitted, scars are the most common type, and that ice pick scars make up most of them. It found the best results come from matching treatment to scar type and combining treatments (Frontiers in Medicine, 2025). In a split-face study, combining subcision with fractional CO2 laser improved atrophic (pitted) acne scars more than laser alone (study on PubMed Central).
Do acne scars come back after treatment? Improvement from rebuilt collagen is long lasting. Two things can make scars look worse again over the years: new acne, and the normal loss of collagen and volume with age, which can deepen old scars. Keeping your acne controlled and protecting your skin from sun helps your results last.
Marks fade. Scars stay.
Red and Brown Marks or True Acne Scars?
Many people call any mark left after a pimple a scar. Telling them apart matters, because they're treated differently and marks often fade on their own.
Red marks
Flat pink or red patches where a spot used to be, called post-inflammatory erythema. They're caused by small blood vessels, not damaged collagen, and they often fade over months. If they linger, a vascular laser can speed things up.
Brown marks
Flat brown patches, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. They're more common in olive and darker skin and can last a year or more. Daily SPF 50+ helps them fade, and a pico laser or LaseMD can help with stubborn marks.
True scars
A change in the surface of the skin: a dent, pit or bump you can see in side lighting or feel with your fingertips. True scars don't fade on their own. Turn side-on to a window: if the mark casts a shadow, it's probably a scar.
What Are the Types of Acne Scars?
Most people have a mix. Naming each type is the first step in choosing the right treatment.
More on the types of acne scars
Do Acne Scar Creams and Serums Work?
Not for true scars. Creams and serums act on the surface of the skin, while a pitted scar is a loss of collagen deeper down, and a tethered scar is held by scar tissue underneath. Nothing applied to the skin can rebuild that or release it.
Skincare does help in other ways. Sunscreen stops marks darkening and makes scars less noticeable, and some products can help red and brown marks fade faster. Bio-oil and rosehip oil are popular for scars but have little evidence for acne scars.
If you've spent a year on products and your scars look the same, that's normal. It means it's time to look at in-clinic treatment.
Acne Scar Care at Home
- SPF 50+ every day, all year in Brisbane
- Getting active acne treated early
- Not squeezing or picking spots
- Being patient with red and brown marks
One scar type, one tool
Acne Scar Removal in Brisbane: Surgery and Laser Options
Each treatment does a different job. Most plans use two or three of them, in an order that suits your scars and your downtime.
Subcision
Best for: rolling scars and tethered boxcar scars.
Under local anaesthetic, a fine needle is passed under the scar to cut the bands of scar tissue holding it down, so the skin can lift. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Expect bruising and swelling for about 1 to 2 weeks. Often 1 to 3 sessions, and it's usually combined with laser.
CO2 Laser for Acne Scars
Best for: boxcar scars, shallow rolling scars and overall texture.
A fractional CO2 laser makes tiny columns of controlled injury that trigger new collagen and soften scar edges. Deeper settings give more change but more recovery: expect redness, swelling and flaking for about 5 to 14 days. Numbing cream is used, with local anaesthetic for deeper treatments. Often 1 to 3 sessions, a few months apart. More on CO2 laser.
TCA CROSS
Best for: ice pick scars and narrow, deep boxcar scars.
A strong acid is placed precisely into the base of each scar with a fine applicator. It prompts new collagen to build up from the bottom of the scar. Each spot turns white, then forms a small scab that heals in about 5 to 7 days. Usually 3 to 6 sessions, about 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Punch Excision and Surgical Revision
Best for: very deep ice pick and boxcar scars, and wide or thick scars.
Under local anaesthetic, the scar is cut out and the skin closed with a fine stitch, leaving a thin line that heals flatter. Stitches come out after about 5 to 7 days, and laser can smooth the area afterwards. More on scar revision.
Treatment for Raised Scars
Best for: hypertrophic scars and keloids on the jaw, chest, back and shoulders.
Raised scars are flattened over several visits, usually about 4 to 6 weeks apart, with in-clinic treatments and sometimes vascular laser. Larger scars may be removed surgically, with follow-up treatment to reduce the chance of them coming back. Your options are discussed at consultation. More on keloid scars.
Vascular and Pico Laser for Marks
Best for: red and brown marks that haven't faded.
The DermaV vascular laser targets the small blood vessels behind red marks, and the PicoSure Pro laser breaks up the pigment behind brown marks with very short pulses. Expect mild redness for 1 to 2 days. Usually 3 to 6 sessions, about 4 weeks apart.
LaseMD Laser for Texture and Brown Marks
Best for: brown marks after acne, very shallow texture, and finishing off after other scar treatments.
LaseMD is a 1927 nm fractional thulium laser that works in the upper layers of the skin. It fades brown marks and softens very shallow texture, but it doesn't lift rolling scars or fill ice pick scars. For true scars it's used after subcision, TCA CROSS or punch excision, not instead of them. Dr Mitch uses heavier settings (LaseMD Heavy) when you want more change with a shorter recovery than CO2. Expect 2 to 4 days of redness and flaking, or 5 to 7 days after LaseMD Heavy. Usually 2 to 4 sessions. In olive and darker skin, pico laser is often the lower-risk choice for brown marks. More on LaseMD.
Dr Mitch Robinson is a clinical presenter and Signature Partner for Cynosure Lutronic, which makes the DermaV, PicoSure Pro and LaseMD lasers.
RF Microneedling
Best for: early or shallow rolling scars, texture and pores, and scarring in darker skin.
Fine needles deliver radiofrequency heat into the deeper skin to prompt new collagen, with less surface injury than CO2 laser. Expect redness or small grid marks for 1 to 3 days. Usually 3 sessions, 4 to 12 weeks apart. It gives a smaller change per session than CO2 laser, so it suits milder scars or people who can't take much downtime.
Which Treatment Suits Which Scar?
A guide only. Your plan depends on your scar depth, skin type and how much downtime you can take.
Compare CO2, erbium, RF microneedling and pico laser
Why Your Acne Needs to Be Under Control First
Treating scars while acne is still active is like repainting a wall that's still leaking. New spots can form new scars, and some treatments, such as laser, aren't done over active breakouts.
So your plan starts by getting your acne settled. Dr Mitch treats acne as a long-term condition, and many people can get their acne well controlled with a steady plan. The timing of scar treatment is planned around your acne treatment. More on acne treatment.
You don't always have to wait until every spot has gone. Early, mild scarring can sometimes be treated alongside your acne care, and red and brown marks can be treated sooner.
Dr Mitch on Acne Scar Treatment
"Even mild acne matters. Any acne can scar."
"I see acne as a chronic condition. It just works best as a steady plan, not a 'three-week rescue mission'."
From Dr Mitch's own notes on treating acne.
What to Expect During Acne Scar Treatment
From your first visit to your final review, here's what happens at each acne scar treatment session.
Your Acne Scar Consultation
Dr Mitch examines your scars in different lighting, names each type, checks your skin type and any active acne, and takes photos. You get a written plan with the order of treatments and the total cost.
Acne Scar Treatment Day
Treatments are done in the clinic under numbing or local anaesthetic. Many plans combine two treatments on the same day, such as subcision and laser. You go home the same day with an aftercare sheet.
Your Acne Scar Review
Collagen keeps rebuilding for months, so we review you between sessions and compare photos taken in the same lighting. We adjust the plan as your skin responds.
Acne Scar Treatment for Darker and Olive Skin
Acne scars can be treated in every skin type, but olive, Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian and darker skin is more likely to develop brown marks after laser.
We reduce the risk by choosing gentler laser settings spread over more sessions, leaning on treatments that don't heat the surface, such as subcision and TCA CROSS, and preparing your skin beforehand. These can also leave temporary brown marks, so sun protection still matters. If brown marks do appear, they usually fade over a few months and can be treated.
Tell Us Before Acne Scar Treatment If You
- Tan easily or rarely burn
- Have had brown marks after spots, burns or cuts
- Have had melasma
- Have had a reaction to a previous treatment
Acne Scars on the Back, Chest and Shoulders
Body acne often leaves scars too. Raised scars and keloids are more common on the chest, back and shoulders than on the face, and pitted scars there tend to be broad and shallow.
The same principles apply: settle the acne, name the scar types, then match treatments to them. Body skin heals more slowly than facial skin, so laser settings are gentler and recovery takes a little longer. Raised scars on the body are usually treated first, because they can be itchy or tender and tend to keep growing.
Acne Scar Treatment Risks, and How We Reduce Them
All procedures carry risks. Here are the main ones and what we do about each.
Common, Short-Term Side Effects of Acne Scar Treatment
- Redness, swelling and bruising. Expected after most treatments. We plan around your work and social life.
- Brown marks after laser. More likely in olive and darker skin. We adjust settings, prepare your skin and insist on sun protection.
- Flaking and sensitivity. Usual for a week or so after CO2 laser. You get an aftercare plan and products to use.
- Little change from one session. Deep scars often need several. Your plan sets out how many to expect.
Less Common Acne Scar Treatment Risks
- Infection, including cold sore flare-ups. We check your history and plan your treatment around it.
- Lighter patches of skin. Rare, mostly after very deep treatments. We use fractional CO2 rather than fully ablative resurfacing in most plans.
- New scarring. Rare. Careful technique, the right depth for your skin, and following aftercare reduce the risk.
- Lumps after subcision. Usually settle on their own. We review you and treat them if needed.
If something doesn't heal as expected, you come back to us. Call the clinic and we'll see you here. Dr Mitch reviews any complication himself rather than leaving you to sort it out elsewhere.
Recovery and Downtime After Acne Scar Treatment
Downtime depends on the treatment and how deep it goes:
- Vascular or pico laser: mild redness for 1 to 2 days
- TCA CROSS: small white spots, then scabs, for about 5 to 7 days
- Subcision: bruising and swelling for about 1 to 2 weeks
- Punch excision: stitches for about 5 to 7 days
- CO2 laser: redness, swelling and flaking for about 5 to 14 days, with pinkness that can last a few weeks
Most people take a few days off work after CO2 laser or subcision. Avoid sun, heat and hard exercise while your skin heals, and use SPF 50+ every day for months afterwards. Many Brisbane patients assume CO2 laser has to wait for the cooler months, but with good aftercare it can be done in summer too. Can you have CO2 laser for acne scars in summer?
Before an event. Allow at least 4 weeks after CO2 laser or subcision, and ideally 3 months so collagen has time to build. Allow about 2 weeks after TCA CROSS or punch excision, and a few days after vascular or pico laser.
When to Call Us After Acne Scar Treatment
- Increasing pain, heat or swelling after the first 2 days
- Yellow crusting, pus or a fever
- Blisters or clusters of sores, which can be a cold sore flare
- A spot that is getting darker or thicker instead of settling
Call 07 3487 1414. Outside hours, see your GP or go to an emergency department.
How Much Does Acne Scar Treatment Cost in Brisbane?
A specialist consultation with Dr Mitch starts from $395. The cost of treatment depends on your scar types, which treatments you need and how many sessions, so we can't give a fair price until we've seen your skin.
At your consultation you get a written plan with the total cost of the whole course, not just one session. That's the number worth comparing between clinics, because a cheaper session that needs repeating many times can cost more in the end.
Honest advice, not packages. If your scars are mild, we'll tell you, including when treatment may not be worth the cost or downtime. We don't sell treatment packages; your plan is built around your scars.
Medicare and private health. Most acne scar treatment is treated as cosmetic and isn't covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Some procedures for severe scarring may attract a partial Medicare rebate. We'll tell you at your consultation whether any part of your plan qualifies. A GP referral isn't needed to book, but a valid referral is needed for any Medicare rebate on the consultation. See our fees.
Your dermatologist
Your Acne Scar Dermatologist: Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD
Specialist Dermatologist · Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Dr Mitch plans your treatment and performs the scar procedures himself, from subcision and TCA CROSS to CO2 laser and surgical revision. Laser for red and brown marks may be done by our cosmetic nurses under his supervision.
- Fellowship training in complex scarringPlus cutaneous oncology and laser surgery
- Teaches laser to dermatologistsLectures on laser protocols and safety in Australia and Asia
- Medical and cosmetic dermatologyTreats the acne and the scars, so both are planned together
Dr Mitch is a clinical presenter and Signature Partner for Cynosure Lutronic, a laser manufacturer.
Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Acne Scar Treatment in Mount Gravatt
DERM Skin Specialists is at 2/1437 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt, about 15 minutes' drive from the Brisbane CBD, with free parking onsite. Patients come from across Brisbane's southside and beyond.
Learn More
Acne Scar Treatments and Guides
Scar procedures
Lasers and energy devices
Marks after acne
Guides
Common Questions
Acne Scars: Common Questions
Can acne scars be removed completely?
Rarely. Treatment can often make scars less noticeable, but complete removal of deep scars is uncommon. Shallow scars improve most.
Do acne scars go away on their own?
True scars, meaning dents, pits or raised bumps, don't go away on their own. Flat red and brown marks often fade over months, and sooner with sun protection.
Do acne scar creams or serums work?
Not for true scars, because they can't rebuild collagen under the skin or release tethered scars. They can help red and brown marks fade.
What is the best treatment for acne scars?
There isn't one best treatment. Rolling scars usually need subcision, ice pick scars need TCA CROSS or punch excision, and CO2 laser smooths texture. Most people need a combination.
Is CO2 laser worth it for acne scars?
For boxcar and shallow rolling scars, CO2 laser is a well-established option, but it has about 5 to 14 days of recovery. It works best combined with subcision or TCA CROSS when deeper scars are present.
Microneedling or laser for acne scars?
Microneedling, including RF microneedling, has less downtime but usually gives a smaller change. Fractional CO2 laser tends to improve pitted scars more per session. We'll explain which suits your scars and schedule.
How many treatments will I need?
Most people need 1 to 3 sessions of each treatment in their plan, and TCA CROSS often needs 3 to 6. Deeper scars and darker skin types usually need more sessions.
Does acne scar treatment hurt?
We use numbing cream or local anaesthetic, so most people feel pressure, heat or stinging rather than sharp pain. Your skin may feel like sunburn for a day or two after laser.
How long is the downtime?
About 1 to 2 days for vascular or pico laser, about a week for TCA CROSS or punch excision, about 1 to 2 weeks of bruising after subcision, and about 5 to 14 days for CO2 laser.
Can I treat acne scars while I still have acne?
Usually the acne is treated first, because new spots can form new scars and laser isn't done over active breakouts. Red and brown marks and some early scars can be treated sooner.
Is acne scar treatment safe for darker skin?
Yes, with the right approach. Darker skin is more prone to brown marks after laser, so we use gentler settings, more non-laser treatments and skin preparation.
Can you treat acne scars on the back and chest?
Yes. Body scars are often raised or broad and shallow. Settings are gentler on the body and recovery takes a little longer.
Do acne scars come back after treatment?
Improvement from new collagen is long lasting. New acne and the loss of collagen with age can make scars look worse over time, so keeping acne controlled helps.
When will I see results?
Some change shows once swelling settles, but most improvement builds over 3 to 6 months as collagen rebuilds. We judge results at least 3 months after your last session.
How much does acne scar treatment cost in Brisbane?
A specialist consultation starts from $395. Treatment costs depend on your plan, and you get the total cost in writing before you start. See fees.
Does Medicare cover acne scar treatment?
Mostly no, as it's usually cosmetic. Some procedures for severe scarring may attract a partial rebate, and we'll tell you at your consultation if yours does.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed to book. A valid referral, usually from your GP, is needed if you want a Medicare rebate on your consultation.
Will a dermatologist do my treatment?
Yes. Dr Mitch, a specialist dermatologist, plans your treatment and performs the scar procedures. Laser for red and brown marks may be done by our cosmetic nurses under his supervision.
How long before an event should I have treatment?
Allow at least 4 weeks after CO2 laser or subcision, and ideally 3 months. Allow about 2 weeks after TCA CROSS or punch excision, and a few days after vascular or pico laser.
Do chemical peels help acne scars?
Light peels can improve red and brown marks and surface texture, but they don't lift rolling scars or fill ice pick scars. TCA CROSS, a focused peel placed into individual scars, works better for ice pick scars.
What does an acne scar specialist do?
A specialist dermatologist works out which scar types you have, treats any active acne, and combines surgical and laser treatments in the right order. Dr Mitch is a specialist dermatologist (FACD) who treats acne scars.
Why do online reviews of acne scar treatment vary so much?
People have different scar types, skin types and treatments, and one session rarely shows the full result. Results also depend on matching the treatment to the scar. Ask any clinic what they expect for your scars specifically.
How much does CO2 laser for acne scars cost?
It depends on the area, depth and whether it is combined with other treatments. You get the price in writing after your consultation, before you book. See fees.
Are red marks after acne scars?
No. Flat red marks come from small blood vessels and usually fade. If a mark is dented or raised when you look side-on, it's a scar.
Find Out What Will Work for Your Scars
Book a consultation with Dr Mitch. He'll name your scar types, explain what treatment can and can't do, and give you a written plan with the total cost before you decide.
Not ready to book? Send us photos first for a consult and price guide.
Clinical content overseen by Dr Mitch Robinson, FACD (AHPRA MED0001946771). Updated October 2026. General information only, not medical advice. All procedures carry risks; suitability, recovery and results vary between individuals.