Skin Rejuvenation

Acne Scar Fading Timeline: What You Need to Know

How Long Does It Take for Acne Scars to Fade? Your Guide to Healing, Treatments, and Results

Let’s face it—acne scars can be super frustrating. Even after your breakouts have cleared up, those lingering marks and uneven spots can stick around for what feels like forever. Whether it’s redness, dark spots, or those pesky indents, acne scars can leave you feeling like your skin just won’t catch a break.

The good news? They don’t have to last forever. With the right treatments and a little patience, you can dramatically fade acne scars and bring back smoother, more even-looking skin. We’re here to break down how long it really takes for acne scars to fade, what affects the healing process, and how game-changing treatments like Clear + Brilliant, RF microneedling, IPL photofacials, and Rejuran salmon DNA topical booster can help speed things up.

First Things First—Why Do Acne Scars Even Happen?

Acne scars form when breakouts damage the deeper layers of your skin. Your body tries to heal the area by producing collagen (that’s the protein that keeps your skin looking plump and firm). But here’s the catch—if your body makes too much or too little collagen, you end up with scars.

There are a few different types:

  • Indented scars, like icepick or boxcar scars, where there’s not enough collagen.

  • Raised scars, where too much collagen builds up.

  • Red or dark spots left behind after a pimple heals, also known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Your skin type, how severe your breakouts were, and even things like sun exposure can all affect how quickly (or slowly) those scars fade.

So, How Long Does It Take for Acne Scars to Fade?

It really depends on the type of scar and your skin’s natural healing abilities. If you’re dealing with just a bit of discoloration—like redness or dark spots—those can start fading in a few weeks to a few months. But deeper scars (like indents) can take longer to improve, and usually need a little help from in-office treatments.

Your age plays a role too. Younger skin tends to bounce back faster thanks to more active collagen production. And if you’re regularly using sunscreen and taking good care of your skin, you’ll definitely help things along.

Clear + Brilliant: A Gentle Way to Smooth Things Out

Think of Clear + Brilliant as the perfect starter treatment. It uses a fractional laser to create tiny micro-injuries in the skin, which jumpstarts your body’s natural healing process. That means more collagen, smoother texture, and less visible redness or dark spots.

It’s super gentle, so it’s great for all skin types—and there’s basically no downtime. You might look a little flushed for a day or two, but that’s it. After a few treatments, your skin will start looking noticeably more even and radiant.

RF Microneedling: The Heavy Hitter for Stubborn Scars

If your scars are deeper or more textured, RF microneedling is the powerhouse treatment you’ll want to look into. It combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy, which penetrates deep into the skin to stimulate serious collagen production.

The result? Firmer, smoother skin and less visible scarring over time. It’s especially helpful for indented scars and works on all skin tones. Most people need a few sessions spaced out over a few months to see the best results—but it’s totally worth it.

IPL Photofacials: Say Goodbye to Redness

If redness is your main concern, IPL photofacials (also known as Intense Pulsed Light therapy) can be a total game-changer. This non-invasive treatment targets the pigment in red or blotchy areas of your skin, using light energy to break it up and help it fade away.

It’s especially great for post-acne redness that just won’t quit. IPL also helps reduce sun damage, minimize visible blood vessels, and even boost collagen production—so it’s a win-win for your overall skin tone and texture. But, it’s only safe for fairer skin tones. For darker skin tones, try Clear + Brilliant Perméa instead, which also targets discoloration. 

There’s minimal downtime, and you’ll start seeing brighter, clearer skin within a week or two after your first session. For best results, multiple treatments are usually recommended.

Rejuran Booster: Speed Up Healing and Enhance Results

Want to take your results up a notch? Add Rejuran Healing Essence to the mix. This skin booster is used as an add-on topical treatment with our Clear + Brilliant and RF microneedling treatments. It’s packed with polynucleotides—natural molecules that repair damaged skin, calm redness, and support collagen production. When paired with RF microneedling or Clear + Brilliant, Rejuran helps your skin heal faster and look healthier sooner.

The Bottom Line: Acne Scars Don’t Have to Be Forever

Dealing with acne scars can be a long road, but you don’t have to go it alone. Whether you’re struggling with lingering redness, dark spots, or deeper indentations, there’s a treatment—or combination of treatments—that can help you get clearer, more confident skin.

Clear + Brilliant is great for early signs of scarring and dullness. RF microneedling goes deeper to rebuild collagen and smooth out texture. IPL photofacials are your go-to for fading redness and boosting your glow. And Rejuran ties it all together by supporting your skin’s natural repair process.

Ready to fade those scars and feel good in your skin again? Book a free consultation at LaserAway to get started on your personalized treatment plan. Smooth, radiant skin is totally within reach.

References

  1. “Polynucleotide-Based Treatments For Various Facial Scars Including Combat Injuries,” Journal of Dermatological Treatment, December 2024.
  2. “The 1440 nm and 1927 nm Nonablative Fractional Diode Laser: Current Trends and Future Directions,” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, August 2020.
  3. “Treatment of Acne Vulgaris with Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling,” The Journal of Dermatology, May 8, 2014.