Acne Scar Treatment · Punch Techniques
Punch Excision for Deep Acne Scars in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane
Some scars are too deep for lasers or peels. Punch techniques remove or lift them one by one, replacing a deep pit with a fine line or a level surface.
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 MitchPunch Excision for Acne Scars at a Glance
What Punch Techniques Treat
Deep boxcar and ice pick scars often improve only a little with resurfacing, because the base of the scar sits too deep. Punch techniques deal with each scar directly, and they usually come early in an acne scar treatment plan, before resurfacing.
Our featured patient on the Acne Scars page had punch excision combined with subcision and CO2 laser resurfacing.
- Punch excision: the scar is removed and closed with a fine stitch
- Punch elevation: a boxcar scar with a normal-looking base is lifted level
- Punch grafting: the scar is replaced with a tiny skin graft, usually from behind the ear
How Punch Excision Works
Punch techniques are minor surgical procedures done under local anaesthetic.
Scars are chosen
The deepest scars that will benefit most are selected and marked.
The scar is removed or lifted
A small circular instrument cuts around the scar. It is then removed and stitched, lifted level, or replaced with a graft.
The area is blended
After the stitches are out and the skin has healed, laser resurfacing such as CO2 blends the treated spots with the surrounding skin.
What to Expect
Most people return to work within a day or two.
On the day
- Numbing injections, then little discomfort
- Fine stitches and small dressings
- Simple wound care at home
Recovery
- Stitches come out after 5 to 7 days
- Small pink lines that fade over weeks
- Laser blending usually a few weeks later
- Final appearance develops over months
Often Combined With
Punch techniques treat the deepest individual scars. Other treatments handle the rest.
Risks and Side Effects
All procedures carry risks. Suitability, recovery and results vary between individuals.
Possible side effects
- A fine visible line or slight colour difference
- Grafts sitting slightly raised or low
- Infection or bleeding, which is uncommon
- Stitch marks if wound care is not followed
Lowering the risk
- Careful selection of which scars to treat
- Fine stitches removed at the right time
- Laser blending once healed
- Following wound care instructions
Common Questions
Punch Excision for Acne Scars: Common Questions
Will punch excision leave a scar?
Yes, a fine line, but it is usually much less noticeable than the original pit, and laser can blend it further.
How many scars can be treated at once?
It depends on where they are and how deep. Larger numbers are usually treated over more than one visit.
What is the difference between punch excision and punch elevation?
Excision removes the scar and closes the skin. Elevation lifts the scar's own base level with the surrounding skin, which suits boxcar scars with a normal-looking floor.
When can I have laser after punch excision?
Usually a few weeks later, once the stitches are out and the skin has healed.
Does punch excision hurt?
The area is numbed first. Most people feel only mild tenderness afterwards.
How much does punch excision cost?
It depends on how many scars are treated. You get a written quote after your consultation.
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.
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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.