About this concern
Acne scars are among the most complex skin concerns to treat — because no two are alike. Ice pick, boxcar, rolling, and hypertrophic scars each require a different approach. Our physician-directed protocols combine the most advanced scar-remodeling technologies to achieve real, lasting improvement.
Our approach
Successful scar treatment requires understanding the scar architecture — depth, type, and contributing factors — and applying the right combination of treatments in the right sequence. Dr. Kim specializes in multi-modality scar protocols that address both surface texture and deeper structural changes.
We don't treat scars — we rebuild skin. The goal is not to hide, but to restore structure, smoothness, and confidence.
Treatment options
- Subcision
Subcision is a minor surgical procedure specifically designed for depressed (atrophic) acne scars — rolling and some boxcar scars — where fibrous tissue beneath the scar pulls the skin surface downward. A specialized needle severs these tethering bands, releasing the depression and triggering natural collagen filling beneath.
- RF Microneedling
RF Microneedling combines the collagen-induction of microneedling with the deep tissue heating of radiofrequency energy, creating a profoundly more powerful remodeling effect than either technology alone. It is currently considered the gold standard non-surgical treatment for acne scars.
- Laser Resurfacing — Erbium
Erbium laser resurfacing ablates (vaporizes) the damaged surface layers of the skin with extreme precision, removing scarred epidermis and upper dermis to trigger full-thickness skin renewal. It offers among the most dramatic improvements possible in a single or small number of sessions — at the cost of more significant downtime.
- Laser Resurfacing — Thulium
The Thulium laser (Lavieen) is a non-ablative fractional laser that delivers exceptional skin remodeling results with a significantly better safety profile for melanin-rich skin tones than ablative options. It's the preferred resurfacing technology in Korean aesthetics for its balance of efficacy and safety.
- TCA Cross
TCA CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars) involves the precise application of high-concentration trichloroacetic acid (TCA) into the base of ice pick and narrow boxcar scars using a toothpick-thin applicator. It is the most effective treatment available for the notoriously difficult-to-treat ice pick scar.
- Microneedling
Microneedling stimulates the skin's natural wound-healing response, producing new collagen and elastin that gradually fills and smooths atrophic scar tissue. While less aggressive than RF Microneedling or laser resurfacing, it offers consistent improvement with lower downtime and is an excellent foundation for multi-modality scar programs.
- PicoLaser
PicoLaser is particularly valuable for acne scars that also carry a pigmentation component (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation overlying a depressed scar). Its photomechanical effect remodels collagen within the scar while simultaneously clearing the associated discoloration — addressing both dimensions of the scar in one treatment.
- Chemical Peel
Chemical peels for scar treatment focus on accelerating the removal of pigmented, textured surface skin and stimulating the collagen remodeling needed for genuine scar improvement. They work best as adjunctive therapy — brightening the surface while deeper modalities address the structural changes.