What Causes Acne and Acne Scarring?
Acne is one of the most frustrating skin concerns to live with, and one of the most misunderstood. It’s not a hygiene issue, and it’s not just a teenage problem — a large share of our acne clinic visits in Surrey BC are adults dealing with hormonal acne or cystic acne that started or worsened well into their 20s, 30s, and 40s.
Active breakouts are driven by a mix of hormonal activity (which is why hormonal acne often flares around menstrual cycles, stress, or certain medications), excess oil production, clogged pores, bacteria, and inflammation. Cystic acne specifically forms deep under the skin, which is why it’s harder to treat with topical products alone and more prone to leaving lasting marks.
The scars left behind — whether shallow discoloration, pitted acne scars, or deeper textural damage — can stay long after the breakouts stop without the right acne scar removal approach in Surrey. At Uptown Skin & Laser Clinic, we treat both the active acne and what it leaves behind, using clinically proven technology calibrated to your specific skin type and tone, because the wrong laser acne treatment on the wrong skin tone can actually make discoloration worse.
Acne & Acne Scar Treatments We Recommend
| Treatment | Why We Recommend It For This Concern |
|---|---|
| Micro Needling | Our go-to for acne scar texture and pitted acne scars. Collagen induction rebuilds the structural tissue beneath scarring without laser energy — a strong option across all skin tones. |
| CO2 Laser | The most powerful single option for deep, pitted acne scarring on lighter-to-medium skin tones, resurfacing the scar tissue directly for dramatic textural change. |
| Morpheus8 | Combines microneedling with RF energy for deeper scar remodelling, and is our preferred acne scar laser alternative for medium and deeper skin tones where ablative laser carries more risk. |
| Fractional Laser | A gentler resurfacing option for shallower scarring and overall texture improvement, with less downtime than full CO2 resurfacing. |
| Picosure Pro | Used for both acne scar texture and dark marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) acne often leaves behind, especially on deeper skin tones. |
| Lase MD Ultra | A lower-downtime laser that supports overall skin clarity and tone evenness while also infusing acne-clearing actives directly into the skin via its drug-delivery capability. |
Benefits of Acne & Acne Scar Treatment
- Fewer and less severe breakouts over time
- Visibly smoother texture, with reduced scar depth
- More even tone where acne has left dark or red marks behind
- Cleaner, less congested pores
- Renewed confidence in bare skin
- Safe, effective treatment across all skin tones
Results You Can See
Lighter marks usually respond within 3 to 4 sessions. Deeper, pitted scars may need 4 to 6 sessions. Most patients see real improvement within 3 months, with results continuing to build over 6 to 12 months.