Concierge dermatology · UK
Laser treatment for acne scarring, by consultant dermatologists.
Fractional CO2, Fraxel, RF microneedling, picosecond, subcision and TCA CROSS — the right device for your scar mix and skin tone, at a CQC-registered clinic. For active acne, see our page on laser treatment for acne.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A consultant dermatologist or plastic surgeon
Not a laser technician working from a script. A named consultant at a CQC-registered clinic, matching device to your scar type and skin tone.
- 02
Multi-modality by design
Icepick, rolling, boxcar and hypertrophic scars each need different tools. We plan the combination — subcision, fractional laser, TCA CROSS, RF microneedling — before you book.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What laser treatment for acne scarring costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A typical multi-modality course: £2,500–£8,000, with a realistic 30–70% improvement.
| Treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Downtime / course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fractional CO2 (full face) | £1,500–£3,500 | 45–60 min | 5–14 days downtime |
| Fraxel (1550nm / 1927nm) per session | £600–£1,200 | 30–45 min | 3–7 days downtime |
| RF microneedling (Morpheus8/Genius) | £400–£800 | 30–45 min | 2–4 days downtime |
| Subcision plus filler | £600–£1,500 | 30 min | 3–7 days bruising |
| TCA CROSS (per session) | £300–£600 | 20 min | 5–10 days scab |
| Typical multi-modality course | £2,500–£8,000 | 3–6 sessions | 6–12 months final result |
Prices vary by clinic, by device, by how much of the face or body is treated, and by how many modalities the plan combines. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right device, for the right scar, on the right skin.
Acne scarring is treated poorly when a clinic runs one device on every patient. Icepick, rolling, boxcar and hypertrophic scars need different tools — and Fitzpatrick IV–VI skin needs a very different plan from Fitzpatrick I–III.
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A mix of scar types?
Most patients have icepick, rolling and boxcar together. A single device rarely fixes all three — we plan a combination.
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Darker skin tone?
Fitzpatrick IV–VI needs picosecond, Nd:YAG or RF microneedling to lower PIH risk. Aggressive fractional CO2 is often the wrong tool.
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Been quoted one device only?
A one-device plan is a red flag. We introduce you to consultants who own the full toolkit and will explain when each is used.
The journey
From enquiry to final result — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to final review — across a course that typically runs six to twelve months.
Phase 1 · Before your course
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
An hour or two at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Healing and next session
- 01
Before
You tell us about your scarring
A short, confidential form with photographs. Scar types, skin tone (Fitzpatrick), previous treatments, current skincare.
- 02
Before
We come back with a plan
Within one working day: which devices suit your scar mix and skin type, how many sessions, indicative pricing across two or three clinics.
- 03
Before
Skin prep, four to six weeks out
A topical retinoid, strict sun avoidance, and — for Fitzpatrick IV–VI — a pigment-suppressing regimen. Aciclovir prophylaxis for facial ablative work.
- 04
On the day
The session itself
Numbing cream for an hour, then the device — fractional CO2, Er:YAG, RF microneedling, subcision or TCA CROSS — for 30 to 60 minutes.
- 05
On the day
Home the same day
Written aftercare, cool packs, and a bland emollient. Ablative sessions look raw; non-ablative looks pink and puffy.
- 06
After
Downtime and healing
Ablative fractional: five to fourteen days off. Non-ablative or RF microneedling: three to seven days. Sun protection is non-negotiable.
- 07
After
Next session, four to eight weeks
A course is three to six sessions, spaced four to eight weeks apart. Final result at six to twelve months as collagen remodels.
Typical course: 3–6 sessions across 6–12 months. Final result visible as collagen remodels.
Scar types we treat
Different scars, different tools.
Most patients have a mix. The plan is built around the dominant scar type, adjusted for skin tone, and layered across sessions.
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Icepick scars
Deep, narrow, needle-like pits. Best treated with TCA CROSS chemical reconstruction, punch excision or focal ablative laser.
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Rolling scars
Broad undulating depressions tethered from below. Subcision plus fractional resurfacing is the workhorse combination.
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Boxcar scars
Sharp-edged, broad depressed scars. Fractional CO2 or Er:YAG resurfacing to soften edges and stimulate collagen.
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Hypertrophic and keloid scars
Raised, firm, sometimes red. Intralesional steroid with 5-FU, silicone, and pulsed dye laser (585–595nm) for the vascular component.
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Post-inflammatory pigmentation
Brown or grey marks after acne heals. Non-ablative laser, chemical peels and hydroquinone-based prep — not aggressive ablative work.
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Atrophic scars with texture change
Combined depression and roughness. Multi-modality — subcision, fractional, microneedling — layered across sessions.
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Darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI)
Higher PIH risk means device selection matters: Nd:YAG 1064nm, RF microneedling and picosecond lasers are safer choices.
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Active acne first
Scar treatment is for settled skin. If acne is still active, see our page on laser treatment for active acne before starting a scarring course.
Devices and modalities
The full toolkit for acne scarring.
Fractional CO2 and Er:YAG for ablative resurfacing; Fraxel for non-ablative; RF microneedling for depth-adjustable safer treatment in darker skin; picosecond and Nd:YAG for pigmentation; subcision and TCA CROSS for structural work.
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Fractional CO2 (ablative)
The workhorse for deep resurfacing. Best for boxcar and rolling scars in Fitzpatrick I–III; 5–14 days downtime, strongest single-session result.
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Er:YAG 2940nm (ablative)
A gentler ablative option with less thermal spread. Suits patients wanting resurfacing with slightly shorter downtime.
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Fraxel 1550nm / 1927nm (non-ablative)
Fractional non-ablative — 3–7 days pink, good for mixed scarring and pigmentation. Usually a course of three to five sessions.
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RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Genius, INTRAcel)
Depth-adjustable radiofrequency delivered through microneedles. Safer for Fitzpatrick IV–VI, effective for rolling and boxcar scars.
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Picosecond laser (PicoWay, PicoSure)
Ultra-short pulses for scar texture and pigmentation, with lower PIH risk in darker skin tones.
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Nd:YAG 1064nm
Deeply penetrating wavelength, safe across all skin tones. Useful for texture and vascular scar components.
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Subcision + filler
A cannula releases the fibrous tethers under rolling scars; filler supports the released tissue while collagen remodels.
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TCA CROSS and microneedling
Focal high-strength TCA reconstructs icepick scars from the base. Traditional microneedling supports the course between laser sessions.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of dermatologists, we picked them.
Consultant dermatologists and plastic surgeons at CQC-registered clinics. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately once we understand your scar mix and skin type.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinician in our network.
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Consultant dermatologists or plastic surgeons on the GMC Specialist Register
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CQC-registered clinics with a full device range — ablative, non-ablative, RF microneedling
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Fitzpatrick-appropriate device selection, with picosecond or Nd:YAG for darker skin
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Realistic goal-setting — 30–70% improvement, not complete erasure
Safety and expectations
What to expect — honestly.
Laser scar treatment is generally safe in trained hands, but risks exist and the result is 30–70% improvement, not complete erasure. The main variables are skin tone, device choice and how strictly you follow the aftercare.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
The main risk, particularly in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Managed with device choice, pre-treatment hydroquinone and strict sun avoidance.
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Prolonged erythema
Pink or red skin can persist for weeks after ablative work. Usually settles; camouflage make-up is fine once the skin is closed.
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HSV reactivation
Facial ablative treatment can trigger a cold-sore flare. Aciclovir prophylaxis is started before the session.
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Infection
Uncommon with proper wound care. Signs — spreading redness, pus, fever — need same-day medical review.
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Hypopigmentation
Rare loss of pigment, more likely with aggressive settings or over-treatment. Skin-type-appropriate parameters lower the risk.
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Worsening of scarring
Rare, and linked to overly aggressive settings. A conservative, staged approach protects against it.
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Incomplete result
Realistic expectation is 30–70% improvement, not 100%. Multi-modality courses do better than single-device plans.
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Milia, acne flare, texture irregularity
Small white cysts, transient acne flare and small texture changes can appear in the healing phase and usually settle.
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Red flags after a session
Spreading redness, fever, severe pain out of proportion, or a cold-sore outbreak — call the clinic the same day.
Reading your treatment note
Your treatment note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever device was used, the note the dermatologist sends you keeps to the same shape across sessions.
A quiet reminder
Device settings read technical — we translate them for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the plan between sessions, just ask.
- 01 Header
Scar mix and skin type recorded
Which scar types you have — icepick, rolling, boxcar, hypertrophic, PIH — and your Fitzpatrick skin type.
- 02 Technique
Devices, settings and areas treated
Which device was used, at what depth and density, and which zones of the face or body were treated.
- 03 Findings
Response and any adverse events
How the skin has responded across sessions, any PIH or prolonged erythema, and adjustments planned for the next session.
- 04 Impression
Aftercare, next session, expectation
Read this first: sun-protection plan, when to book the next session, and honest expectation of the final result.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Acne scar treatment is almost always considered cosmetic by UK insurers and paid for privately. We confirm cover before booking in the rare cases where it may apply.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about laser treatment for acne scarring.
Quick answers on results, sessions, cost, downtime and safety in darker skin tones.
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Does laser treatment actually work for acne scars?
Yes — but the honest answer is 30–70% improvement, not complete erasure. Results are best when devices are matched to your scar types and skin tone, and when treatments are combined across a course of three to six sessions.
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Which laser is best for acne scars?
There is no single best laser. Fractional CO2 is the workhorse for deep boxcar and rolling scars in lighter skin. RF microneedling and picosecond lasers are safer choices for Fitzpatrick IV–VI. TCA CROSS reconstructs icepick scars. Most patients benefit from a combination.
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How many sessions will I need?
A typical course is three to six sessions, spaced four to eight weeks apart. Combined-modality plans — subcision plus fractional plus TCA CROSS plus microneedling — outperform single-device courses.
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How much does laser treatment for acne scarring cost in the UK?
Fractional CO2 is £1,500–£3,500 per full-face session. Fraxel is £600–£1,200 per session across a course of three to five. RF microneedling is £400–£800 per session. Subcision with filler is £600–£1,500. TCA CROSS is £300–£600 per session. A full course usually lands between £2,500 and £8,000.
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What is the downtime?
Ablative fractional (CO2 or Er:YAG) means five to fourteen days of visible healing — raw, then peeling, then pink. Non-ablative Fraxel is three to seven days of pink and puffy. RF microneedling is two to four days. Sun protection remains critical for months.
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Is it safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, with the right device. Fitzpatrick IV–VI have a higher PIH risk, so we steer towards Nd:YAG 1064nm, picosecond lasers and RF microneedling rather than aggressive ablative fractional CO2. Pre-treatment hydroquinone helps.
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When will I see the final result?
Immediate smoothing after each session, but collagen remodelling continues for six to twelve months. Do not judge the final outcome for at least six months after the last session.
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What are the main risks?
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (particularly in darker skin), prolonged erythema, HSV reactivation, infection, rare hypopigmentation, rare scarring worsening from over-aggressive settings, incomplete result, milia, acne flare and small texture changes.
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Do I need to prepare my skin?
Yes. A topical retinoid four to six weeks beforehand, strict sun avoidance, aciclovir prophylaxis for facial ablative work, and a pigment-suppressing regimen (hydroquinone) for Fitzpatrick IV–VI.
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When should I not have laser scar treatment?
If your acne is still active, treat that first — see our page on laser treatment for active acne. Recent isotretinoin, active skin infection, a fresh tan, pregnancy and unrealistic expectations are all reasons to wait or reconsider.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Laser treatment for acne
For active acne, not scarring — device-based options alongside medical therapy.
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Laser resurfacing
General ablative and non-ablative resurfacing beyond acne scarring.
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LED light therapy
Adjunct light-based therapy for skin — often used between laser sessions.
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All tests & procedures
Every test, procedure and treatment we arrange.
Learn more