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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.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What laser treatment for acne scarring costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

A typical multi-modality course: £2,500–£8,000, with a realistic 30–70% improvement.

Treatment Indicative range
Fractional CO2 (full face) £1,500–£3,500
Fraxel (1550nm / 1927nm) per session £600–£1,200
RF microneedling (Morpheus8/Genius) £400–£800
Subcision plus filler £600–£1,500
TCA CROSS (per session) £300–£600
Typical multi-modality course £2,500–£8,000

Prices vary by clinic, by device, by how much of the face or body is treated, and by how many modalities the plan combines.

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.

  • A mix of scar types?

    Most patients have icepick, rolling and boxcar together. A single device rarely fixes all three - we plan a combination.

  • 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.

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.

  • Icepick scars

    Deep, narrow, needle-like pits. Best treated with TCA CROSS chemical reconstruction, punch excision or focal ablative laser.

  • Rolling scars

    Broad undulating depressions tethered from below. Subcision plus fractional resurfacing is the workhorse combination.

  • Boxcar scars

    Sharp-edged, broad depressed scars. Fractional CO2 or Er:YAG resurfacing to soften edges and stimulate collagen.

  • Hypertrophic and keloid scars

    Raised, firm, sometimes red. Intralesional steroid with 5-FU, silicone, and pulsed dye laser (585–595nm) for the vascular component.

  • Post-inflammatory pigmentation

    Brown or grey marks after acne heals. Non-ablative laser, chemical peels and hydroquinone-based prep - not aggressive ablative work.

  • Atrophic scars with texture change

    Combined depression and roughness. Multi-modality - subcision, fractional, microneedling - layered across sessions.

  • Darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV–VI)

    Higher PIH risk means device selection matters: Nd:YAG 1064nm, RF microneedling and picosecond lasers are safer choices.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Er:YAG 2940nm (ablative)

    A gentler ablative option with less thermal spread. Suits patients wanting resurfacing with slightly shorter downtime.

  • 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.

  • RF microneedling (Morpheus8, Genius, INTRAcel)

    Depth-adjustable radiofrequency delivered through microneedles. Safer for Fitzpatrick IV–VI, effective for rolling and boxcar scars.

  • Picosecond laser (PicoWay, PicoSure)

    Ultra-short pulses for scar texture and pigmentation, with lower PIH risk in darker skin tones.

  • Nd:YAG 1064nm

    Deeply penetrating wavelength, safe across all skin tones. Useful for texture and vascular scar components.

  • Subcision + filler

    A cannula releases the fibrous tethers under rolling scars; filler supports the released tissue while collagen remodels.

  • TCA CROSS and microneedling

    Focal high-strength TCA reconstructs icepick scars from the base. Traditional microneedling supports the course between laser sessions.

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.

  • Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)

    The main risk, particularly in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Managed with device choice, pre-treatment hydroquinone and strict sun avoidance.

  • 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.

  • HSV reactivation

    Facial ablative treatment can trigger a cold-sore flare. Aciclovir prophylaxis is started before the session.

  • Infection

    Uncommon with proper wound care. Signs - spreading redness, pus, fever - need same-day medical review.

  • Hypopigmentation

    Rare loss of pigment, more likely with aggressive settings or over-treatment. Skin-type-appropriate parameters lower the risk.

  • Worsening of scarring

    Rare, and linked to overly aggressive settings. A conservative, staged approach protects against it.

  • Incomplete result

    Realistic expectation is 30–70% improvement, not 100%. Multi-modality courses do better than single-device plans.

  • Milia, acne flare, texture irregularity

    Small white cysts, transient acne flare and small texture changes can appear in the healing phase and usually settle.

  • 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 UK consultant dermatologist reviewing a patient’s scar-treatment notes

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.

  1. 01 Header

    Scar mix and skin type recorded

    Which scar types you have - icepick, rolling, boxcar, hypertrophic, PIH - and your Fitzpatrick skin type.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Acne scar treatment is almost always considered cosmetic by UK insurers and paid for privately.

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.

  • Does laser treatment actually work for acne scars?

    Yes - but the honest answer is 30–70% improvement, not complete erasure.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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