Acne Scar Treatment in Scottsdale: Match the Treatment to the Scar
The right treatment for your scar type, from microneedling to our TotalSkin Solution, with a free consultation first.
If you’re looking for acne scar treatment in Scottsdale, start here: the right treatment depends on the kind of scar you have, and many “acne scars” are really dark marks. I’m Nurse Bea, an Aesthetic Registered Nurse and Licensed Aesthetician. Matching the treatment to the scar is how you save money and avoid side effects you didn’t need.
TotalSkin and our other acne scar treatments are performed by me or by a certified aesthetic registered nurse who is also a Certified Laser Technician on my team, following my protocol, with medical oversight from our Medical Director, Abbey Jensen, MSN, FNP-C.
Schedule your free consultation — new clients hold their spot with a $50 deposit, credited to treatment or products, or refunded on request. Call (480) 405-0100 · 7054 E Cochise Road B100, Scottsdale, AZ 85253.
What type of acne scar do I have? Ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars
Most indented acne scars are one of three types: ice pick scars are narrow and deep, boxcar scars are round or oval dents, and rolling scars are wide and shallow and make skin look wavy. The type, how deep it goes and what’s on the surface around it decide your treatment.
Here’s how I match the treatment to the scar:
| What you see | What it usually is | What I usually recommend |
|---|---|---|
| Flat red, pink, brown or gray spots where pimples were | Dark marks, not scars | Sunscreen and a good home routine, then laser resurfacing |
| A few very mild, shallow dents | Mild scarring | Medical microneedling, or a home routine with prescription tretinoin |
| Narrow, deep pits | Ice pick scars | Medical microneedling first; deep ones may need a dermatologist |
| Round or oval dents with sharp edges | Boxcar scars | The TotalSkin Solution, its best match |
| Wide, soft dips that make skin look wavy | Rolling scars | The TotalSkin Solution |
| Raised, firm scars | Hypertrophic or keloid scars | A dermatologist, not these treatments |
Is it an acne scar or a dark mark?
If it’s flat and only the color is different, it’s usually a dark mark, not a scar; if you can see a dip or a pit, it’s a scar. In my experience, most people mistake the dark marks acne leaves behind for acne scars.
The AAD says these flat spots are usually not scars and usually fade, leaving no trace, often within 6 to 12 months. For dark marks, I recommend daily sunscreen and laser resurfacing, not TotalSkin.
Are acne scars permanent, or can they be removed?
Indented scars don’t fade on their own like dark marks do, but the right treatment can make them less noticeable. In my experience the improvement lasts; what undoes it is new acne making new scars.
No single treatment is best for everyone, and collagen rebuilds slowly, so results build over months. To keep them, a TotalSkin program here typically ends with a skincare routine, often with tretinoin, which our Medical Director, your dermatologist or a telemedicine service can prescribe.
What is the best treatment for acne scars?
The best treatment is the one matched to your scar. For moderate to severe boxcar and rolling scars, especially with texture, enlarged pores or discoloration, that’s usually our TotalSkin Solution; for mild scars, it’s something gentler and cheaper.
- Very mild scars: Medical microneedling, or a home routine with prescription tretinoin. A retinoid can make mild scarring less noticeable.
- Ice pick scars: In my experience they can improve with Medical microneedling alone, so I start there. But they’re the hardest type to treat, and studies show little improvement from microneedling alone, so I refer deep ones to a dermatologist.
- Boxcar and rolling scars: TotalSkin. Boxcar scars are its best match.
- Deep scars with nothing on the surface: Genius RF microneedling alone can be enough, but I rarely recommend it on its own; its main solo job here is loose stomach skin.
Why combine RF microneedling and laser? What the TotalSkin Solution is
TotalSkin is Genius RF microneedling and the Lutronic Ultra 1927 nm laser in one appointment. Genius reaches the deeper layers, where scars are anchored, and the Ultra treats the surface, where texture, pores and discoloration sit.
One visit saves you time, and in my experience clients see brighter, more even skin about a week later while the repair underneath keeps building. Is the pairing proven better than either one alone? Not yet: one trial found RF microneedling plus a laser worked better and faster than the laser alone, but a 2025 review of five trials found no clear overall advantage. I recommend it when your scars come with texture, pores or discoloration, because it treats both in one visit. See what’s included in a TotalSkin visit.
Laser or microneedling for acne scars?
They do different jobs: microneedling and RF microneedling build collagen under indented scars, while a laser like the Ultra smooths texture, tone and pores on the surface. For deeper scars with surface problems, I use both, which is TotalSkin.
For mild scars, Medical microneedling is often enough. For deeper boxcar and rolling scars I use RF microneedling, which a 2025 review found is likely effective for acne scars on its own.
Do lasers work for acne scars, and which laser do you use?
Yes, but it depends on the laser. Ablative CO2 lasers can improve scars more, with more pain, downtime and risk of dark marks; non-ablative lasers like our Lutronic Ultra are gentler and work best on texture, tone and pores rather than deep scars on their own.
A 2026 review found CO2 improved scars more, but RF microneedling was easier to tolerate, with less pain and a lower risk of dark marks. That’s why I pair the Ultra with Genius for deeper scars. We don’t offer CO2.
How many sessions will I need, and when will I see results?
It depends on how severe your scars are: we estimate it at your consultation and know more after the first session, and TotalSkin sessions are 4 to 6 weeks apart. In my experience, scars start to improve about a month after a session and look their best 6 months to a year after the last one.
Most people need four sessions or fewer, though some need more.
Both sides of the same client’s face before and after a TotalSkin Solution series (Genius RF + Ultra laser), with a prescription topical, a home routine and an at-home LED. Individual results vary.
Does TotalSkin hurt, and what’s the downtime?
With numbing ointment on for 60 minutes and Pro-Nox (laughing gas, included), my clients put it at up to 3 out of 10; without Pro-Nox, up to 7. Expect redness, dryness, some flaking and a mild sandpaper feel, and because every session ends with 30 minutes of Celluma Pro LED, you can wear makeup the next day if you need to.
Mild swelling is rare. Stay out of the sun as much as you can for at least two weeks.
Is acne scar treatment safe for darker skin?
It can be, with the right device, settings and prep. RF microneedling has a lower risk of dark marks than lasers because its heat goes below the surface.
The AAD says RF microneedling is safe for all skin tones. Lower risk isn’t zero risk, so for darker skin we use brightening ingredients before and after, cool your skin right away, may use gentler Ultra settings, and keep Genius deeper than 1.5 mm, away from the layers where pigment gets triggered.
Do I need to clear my acne before treating scars?
Yes. New breakouts keep making new scars, so get active acne under control first with our acne treatment plan.
Once your acne is managed, TotalSkin can even help: in small studies, RF microneedling reduced oil production and breakouts.
Who shouldn’t get TotalSkin? The clients I turn away
I always refuse treatment to anyone who won’t protect their skin from the sun while outside. You may also not be a candidate if you have any of these (including but not limited to):
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Isotretinoin (Accutane) within the past 6 months
- Active skin infections, cold sores, eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis
- A history of keloid scarring or poor wound healing
- Aesthetic treatments or injections within the past 2 weeks
- Blood-thinning medications or supplements, unless your doctor gives permission
- Sunburn or a lot of recent sun
- Medical conditions that affect healing or immunity
- Implanted medical devices in the treatment area
If you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, this treatment may not work for you, and a cosmetic surgeon is a better fit.
What about subcision, TCA CROSS, CO2 lasers or Morpheus8?
They’re real options for some scars, and we don’t offer them; if your scars may need one, I’ll refer you to a dermatologist or surgeon. Subcision cuts the bands that pull rolling scars down, and TCA CROSS puts strong acid into ice pick scars, while CO2 is a stronger laser with more downtime.
Comparing Morpheus8 and Genius? I explain why I chose Genius on my RF microneedling page.
How much does acne scar treatment cost in Scottsdale?
TotalSkin is currently $1,200 a session, with Pro-Nox included. Our three packages cost less per session:
- Awaken: 3 sessions, currently $3,000.
- Glow: 4 sessions plus 30 days of at-home LED mask rental, currently $3,995.
- Renew: 6 sessions plus 30 days of at-home LED mask rental, currently $5,895.
Every package includes a skincare regimen (cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen) and a complimentary facial. If you don’t need TotalSkin, Medical microneedling is currently $349 a session, laser resurfacing is currently $395 to $495, and Genius RF on its own is currently $900.
The consultation is free. New clients hold their spot with a $50 deposit that goes toward treatment or products, or is refunded on request; it’s kept only for a no-show. Nobody here works on commission.
Looking for acne scar treatment near you in Scottsdale?
We’re at 7054 E Cochise Road B100, Scottsdale, AZ 85253, on the Paradise Valley side of Scottsdale, and we see clients from Phoenix, Arcadia, North Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Tempe. Hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and weekends 11am to 5pm, by appointment.
Schedule your free consultation or call (480) 405-0100. New clients hold their spot with a $50 deposit; after the visit it goes toward your treatment or products, or is refunded on request. Not sure where to start? See how a consultation works.
More questions I get about acne scars
I wait until you’ve been off isotretinoin (Accutane) for at least six months. The same rule applies to microneedling, Genius RF and our laser treatments.
Stop retinoids and exfoliating products 5 to 7 days before, and avoid sun, sunburn and other laser treatments for 2 weeks. If you take a blood thinner, we need your doctor’s OK before treatment. We send full pre-care instructions when you book.
Skip exercise and heavy sweating for 1 to 3 days, and saunas and long hot showers or baths for 1 to 5 days.
Yes, with a plan. You start an antiviral from your prescriber 2 to 3 days before your session, and we never treat over an active cold sore.
In October 2025 the FDA said it is aware of reports of serious complications with RF microneedling, such as burns and scarring, and advised choosing a licensed provider trained on the device. Here, TotalSkin is done by me or by a certified aesthetic registered nurse who is also a Certified Laser Technician, under our Medical Director’s oversight.
Yes. Stretch marks are the other thing I most often recommend TotalSkin for; see my stretch mark treatment guide.
Written by Beatrice Moorefield, RN, LE, LSO — aesthetic registered nurse, licensed aesthetician, skin health educator, and founder of Skin With Bea Esthetics, Scottsdale.
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