Ever feel like your acne scars are the first thing people notice? You’re not alone. Acne scars can affect more than just your skin — they can chip away at your confidence, too.
The good news? You don’t have to live with those marks forever.
At Lumine Dermatology, we help people in Singapore tackle acne scars head-on. Whether you're dealing with deep pitted scars, stubborn dark marks, or textured skin — we offer personalised acne scar treatments designed for real results.
Let’s break down everything you need to know — from the types of scars you might have to what you can expect from your consultation and treatment at Lumine Clinic.
Acne scars are the lingering marks left behind after a breakout. While acne itself fades, the scar tissue it leaves behind can stick around for years, especially if the skin’s natural healing process was interrupted.
Scars form when inflammation damages the deeper layers of the skin. Instead of smooth regeneration, the body over- or under-produces collagen fibres, resulting in either depressed scars (like ice pick or boxcar) or raised scars (like keloids or hypertrophic scars).
Think of acne scarring like a construction site: if the rebuilding process is rushed or mismanaged, you end up with bumps, holes, or uneven terrain on the surface. That’s exactly what happens with atrophic and hypertrophic scars.
Before starting treatment, you’ll need to determine your type of acne scar. Why? Because the type of scar you have determines the kind of treatment that will work best.
Here’s a breakdown:
Still not sure which type you have? That’s okay. Our doctors will guide you during your first consultation.
Singapore offers plenty of options when it comes to professional acne scar treatments. At Lumine Dermatology, we combine medical precision with aesthetic medicine to help you get smoother, clearer skin — fast.
Laser treatments play an important role in acne scar treatment in Singapore. They work by targeting the deeper layers of your skin to trigger collagen production and skin resurfacing.
Laser treatments are precise, effective, and suitable for various skin types — especially when handled by an experienced dermatologist.
Chemical peels involve applying a medical-grade acid to exfoliate the skin surface. This helps fade acne marks and improves skin quality over time.
They’re most effective for:
While not ideal for deep scars, peels are often used in conjunction with other treatments to achieve a comprehensive transformation.
This is a combination of two technologies - microneedling and radiofrequency - to remodel acne-scarred skin. This approach is most useful for rolling scars and boxcar scars.
In Lumine Dermatology, microneedling involves the use of gold-plated, ultrafine needles that penetrate the skin to create controlled microthermal zones of injury. These microchannels stimulate the skin’s natural wound healing processes, promotion collagen remodelling in atrophic acne scars.
Radiofrequency, on the other hand, can be delivered at appropriate and controlled depths to enhance the effects of microneedling alone. The heat from radiofrequency can further stimulate collagen remodelling, while having the side benefits of minimizing the appearance of pores, firming the skin and improving overall skin textures and radiance.
When paired with actives e.g exosomes or poly-L lactic acid or poly-D-L-lactic acid , microneedling can help your skin heal faster, boost collagen remodelling in acne scars and improve skin texture and radiance.
If you have tethered scars that makes the skin look uneven, especially more prominent under certain lighting, you may have rolling scars. If this is so, subcision may be the best treatment for you. Subcision is good for both rolling scars and boxcar scars. It is a minor technique that either involves a needle to break fibrous bands under the scar that lead to it becomgin tethered. Once released, your skin naturally lifts and looks smoother.
Subcision is often combined with polynucleotides or poly-L lactic acid or hyaluronic acid fillers (can link to service page?) for better results
Polynucleotide injections - derived from purified DNA fragments of salmon or trout origin- are regenerative treatments that work on stimulating fibroblast activity. Fibroblasts are collagen-producing cells that play a key role in skin repair and remodelling. Polynucelotides also boost the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) which accelerates tissue repair and aids in restructuring acne scarred skin. Finally, polynucleotides can also reduce the inflammatory process, calming the skin and controlling acne-flare ups.
Polynucleotides are useful for superficial scars and can complement other laser scar treatments such as Pico laser or fractional CO2. It is a good approach for those who prefer a more gentle, regenerative approach to managing acne scarring.
These are used to plump up depressed scars, like ice pick and rolling scars. In our practice, we prefer Poly-L Lactic Acid (PLLA) for acne scars as this biostimulatory injectable is able to simulate natural collagen production leading to more natural and long-lasting results. This also has the added benefit of improving skin quality and skin tightening in individuals with loose and crepe-like skin. We also can utilize hyaluronic acid-based fillers for those that prefer more immediate results.
Results usually last several months and can be repeated as needed.
TCA is an effective treatment for stubborn acne scars such as ice pick scars. When done carefully and skilfully, it results in minimal downtime with light scabbing for a few days before stimulating natural collagen synthesis in deep pitted acne scars. A few sessions are required for optimal results.
For really deep acne scars or fibrotic scars, a punch excision may be the most suitable and effective option. This needs to be performed by a skilled dermatologist who can help minimize further scarring from this procedure.
For keloid or hypertrophic scars, steroid injections can help flatten and soften the tissue.
They work by breaking down the excess collagen in the raised scar, reducing thickness and improving appearance over time.
Choosing the right treatment isn’t just about the scar. It’s also about you — your skin type, tone, history with acne, preferences for down time and treatment goals.
Here’s what we consider at Lumine:
Our doctors take the time to assess your skin closely before recommending the best acne scar treatment Singapore has to offer.
Stepping into a clinic can feel intimidating. But here at Lumine Dermatology, we strive to create a welcoming environment while integrating science, safety and art into our practice.
You will undergo a thorough skin analysis with our experienced dermatologist where we will assess your skin type, type of acne scars. We will also find out about your concerns, expectations, and budget, and make tailored recommendations and a step-by-step treatment plan. We will also provide a clear explanation of any possible side effects or downtime
Healing is just as important as the procedure itself. To get the best results, you’ll want to follow these tips:
Depending on the type of treatment, downtime can range from a few hours to a few days and you will need to set aside sufficient time for recovery.
There are plenty of clinics in Singapore. So why Lumine?
Because we offer:
Be rest assured that we have experienced in treating all types of acne scars, across all skin types even in Asian skin.
Whether your goal is smoother texture, fewer dark marks, or an overall glow-up — Lumine Dermatology is here to help.
Book your consultation if you are keen to explore treatment plan that’s actually right for your skin.
Most treatments cause mild discomfort. For TCA cross, chemical peels or pulsed dye laser treatments, we typically do not use numbing cream. For picosure pro laser, fractional CO2 laser , radiofrequency microneedling and polynucleotide injections we utilize numbing cream. For subcision with collagen stimulators, we often use a combination of local and topical anaesthetic.
The recovery period for the various options are as follows:
It depends on your scar type and severity. Some see results in a single session, while others need 5–6 sessions spaced a few weeks apart.
Complete removal isn't always possible, especially for deep or old scars. But our treatments can significantly reduce their appearance and improve your overall skin quality.
Yes. We’re experienced in treating Asian and darker skin types safely using customised protocols to reduce the risk of pigmentation.
Absolutely. In fact, combination therapy often delivers the best results. We might recommend microneedling radiofrequency or laser plus subcision based on your needs.
Yes. We’ll give you pre-treatment advice during your consultation. Usually, this includes avoiding active skincare products and staying out of the sun.
