Acne Scar Treatment in Calgary

While professional treatments at Lavish Beauty in Calgary can dramatically improve the appearance of acne scars, it is important to set realistic expectations. Most acne scars can be improved by 50 to 85 percent with a proper treatment series, depending on the scar type, depth, and your skin's individual healing response. Shallow rolling scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks) respond the best and can often be improved by 80 to 95 percent, becoming virtually invisible. Boxcar scars typically see 60 to 80 percent improvement. Deep ice pick scars are the most challenging and usually see 50 to 70 percent improvement, becoming significantly less noticeable even if not completely eliminated. The key to maximizing your results is completing the full recommended treatment series (usually 4 to 8 sessions of microneedling), following post-care instructions carefully, and maintaining your results with periodic maintenance treatments. During your $10 consultation at our NE Calgary clinic, we will assess your specific scarring and provide a realistic estimate of what improvement you can expect.

At Lavish Beauty in Calgary, most clients with acne scars need 4 to 6 microneedling sessions for significant improvement, with sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart to allow for complete collagen remodelling between treatments. Clients with deeper or more extensive scarring may benefit from 6 to 8 sessions. You will begin to see visible improvement after your second or third session as new collagen fills in the depressed areas of your scars and the overall skin texture becomes smoother. However, the most dramatic improvements typically occur in the 2 to 3 months following your final session, as the collagen remodelling process continues for up to 6 months after each treatment. For comprehensive acne scar treatment, we often recommend combining microneedling with Laser Genesis on alternating visits to address both the textural scarring (microneedling) and any residual redness or pigmentation (Laser Genesis). During your $10 consultation, we will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific scar types and severity.

At Lavish Beauty in Calgary, we apply a medical-grade topical numbing cream (lidocaine-based) to the treatment area approximately 30 minutes before your microneedling session. This numbing cream significantly reduces sensation during the treatment. Most clients describe the sensation during microneedling as a mild scratching or vibrating feeling, similar to a cat licking your face with a slightly rough tongue. It is not painless, but it is very tolerable, and most of our clients tell us it is much less uncomfortable than they expected. The SkinPen device we use at Lavish Beauty has adjustable needle depth and speed, allowing our aestheticians to customize the treatment intensity for each area of your face and your individual comfort level. More sensitive areas like the nose and upper lip may feel slightly more intense than areas like the cheeks and forehead. After the treatment, your face will feel warm and tight, similar to a mild sunburn, for 12 to 24 hours. Over-the-counter pain relief is rarely needed.

This is a common question at Lavish Beauty in Calgary, and the answer depends on the severity of your active acne. For microneedling, we generally recommend getting active acne under control before treating scars, because needling over active, inflamed breakouts can spread bacteria and worsen both the acne and the scarring. If you have occasional mild breakouts, we can typically work around them during your session. If you have moderate to severe active acne, we recommend starting with our LumiGlow Acne Facial ($89 per session) to get your breakouts under control first. This targeted acne treatment uses LED blue light therapy, high-frequency treatment, and a sulfur-based mask to reduce active breakouts and inflammation. Once your acne is under control (usually after 4 to 6 acne facial sessions), we can transition to microneedling for the scars. Some treatments like Laser Genesis and HydraFacial can be used even with mild active acne because they do not involve puncturing the skin. Visit our acne treatment page for more information about managing active breakouts.

Microneedling at Lavish Beauty in Calgary involves minimal but real downtime. Immediately after treatment, your skin will be red, similar to a moderate sunburn. This redness typically lasts 24 to 48 hours for most clients, though it can persist for up to 72 hours for those with more sensitive skin or deeper treatment depths. During the first 24 hours, you should avoid makeup, active skincare ingredients (retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C), and direct sun exposure. You may also experience mild swelling, dryness, and skin tightness during the first 2 to 3 days. By day 3 to 4, most clients can return to their full skincare routine and apply makeup normally. Some clients experience mild flaking or peeling between days 3 and 7 as the skin renews itself. We provide detailed post-care instructions at every session and a post-treatment kit with gentle cleanser and hydrating products to support your skin's recovery. Most of our Calgary clients schedule their microneedling sessions for a Friday so that the most visible redness coincides with the weekend.

Laser Genesis at Lavish Beauty in Calgary helps acne scars through two primary mechanisms. First, the 1064nm Nd:YAG laser delivers gentle heat to the papillary dermis, stimulating fibroblasts to produce new type I and type III collagen. This new collagen gradually fills in the depressed areas of acne scars (particularly rolling and shallow boxcar scars), smoothing the skin surface over a series of treatments. Second, Laser Genesis is highly effective at treating the redness and discolouration that often accompanies acne scars. Post-inflammatory erythema (red marks) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks) both respond well to Laser Genesis because the 1064nm wavelength helps reduce vascular dilation (addressing redness) and promotes the dispersal and removal of excess melanin deposits (addressing dark marks). Laser Genesis is priced at $160 for full face and $199 for full face and neck at Lavish Beauty. It involves zero downtime and is safe for all skin tones. While Laser Genesis alone may be sufficient for mild textural scarring and discolouration, we often combine it with microneedling for more significant acne scars.

At Lavish Beauty in Calgary, we typically recommend microneedling (SkinPen) as the primary treatment for textural acne scars (ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars) because it provides the most effective collagen induction for filling in depressed scars. The controlled micro-injuries created by microneedling trigger a wound healing response that produces significantly more collagen than non-ablative laser treatments. However, Laser Genesis is superior for treating the discolouration that accompanies many acne scars, including redness (post-inflammatory erythema) and dark marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). For most clients with acne scars, we recommend combining both treatments in an alternating schedule. For example, you might have microneedling one month and Laser Genesis the following month, alternating throughout your treatment series. This combination addresses both the physical texture of the scars and the colour changes, producing the most comprehensive improvement. During your $10 consultation, we will assess your specific scar types and create the optimal treatment plan.

Yes, acne scars on dark skin (Fitzpatrick types IV through VI) can be treated safely and effectively at Lavish Beauty in Calgary. However, treatment on darker skin requires specialized knowledge because melanin-rich skin has a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from aggressive treatments. Our approach for dark skin includes using conservative microneedling depths and adjusted parameters to stimulate collagen production without excessive inflammation. For any laser treatments, we use the GentleMax Pro Nd:YAG 1064nm wavelength, which bypasses epidermal melanin and reduces the risk of pigmentation changes. We also favour HydraFacial and Green Peel Fresh as gentler complementary treatments. We space sessions further apart (6 to 8 weeks rather than 4 to 6) to give darker skin more time to heal completely between treatments. Many women with dark skin and acne scars have been told by other Calgary clinics that treatment is too risky for their skin tone. At Lavish Beauty, our experience with all Fitzpatrick types means we can provide safe, effective scar treatment for every woman.

At Lavish Beauty Laser Med Spa in Calgary, acne scar treatment costs depend on the treatment modality used. Microneedling (SkinPen) is $300 per session for full face, with an optional $50 add-on for neck treatment. Most clients need 4 to 6 sessions, making a typical microneedling treatment plan approximately $1,200 to $1,800. Laser Genesis is $160 for full face and $199 for full face and neck per session, with a typical series of 4 to 6 sessions costing $640 to $1,194. HydraFacial starts at $149 for new clients (Signature $175), and Green Peel ranges from $215 (Fresh) to $350 (Classic). For clients who benefit from a combination approach (microneedling plus Laser Genesis), a comprehensive 8-session series alternating between the two treatments would cost approximately $1,840 to $2,392. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and our loyalty programme locks in your rate for life. Book a $10 consultation to receive your personalized treatment plan and cost estimate.

This distinction is important because it affects which treatment is most appropriate. Acne scars are permanent textural changes in the skin caused by the loss or excess of collagen during the healing of severe inflammatory acne. They include ice pick scars (deep, narrow pits), boxcar scars (wide, rectangular depressions), rolling scars (wide, shallow undulations), and hypertrophic scars (raised, firm areas). Acne scars are three-dimensional, meaning you can see and feel them when you run your finger across the skin. They require collagen-stimulating treatments like microneedling to improve. Acne marks, on the other hand, are flat discolourations left behind after a breakout heals. They include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH, dark spots) and post-inflammatory erythema (PIE, red or pink marks). Acne marks are two-dimensional, meaning they are colour changes on an otherwise smooth skin surface. They respond well to Laser Genesis, HydraFacial, and time. Many clients at Lavish Beauty in Calgary have both scars and marks, which is why we often recommend a combination treatment approach.

The collagen produced by microneedling at Lavish Beauty in Calgary is your own natural collagen, which means the improvements in acne scar texture are long-lasting and, in many cases, permanent. Once new collagen fills in a depressed scar, that collagen becomes part of your skin's permanent structure. However, the natural aging process does cause gradual collagen loss over time (approximately 1 percent per year after age 30), so very mild regression over years is normal. Most clients maintain their results by scheduling one to two maintenance microneedling sessions per year after completing their initial treatment series. These maintenance sessions help preserve the collagen gains and continue to stimulate skin renewal. For post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks), the results are also long-lasting provided you protect your skin from UV exposure with daily sunscreen, as sun exposure can reactivate melanin production in previously affected areas. Your aesthetician at Lavish Beauty will advise you on the optimal maintenance schedule based on your individual results.

Absolutely. At Lavish Beauty in Calgary, combining treatments is often the most effective approach for comprehensive acne scar improvement. Our most popular combination protocol alternates microneedling with Laser Genesis every 3 to 4 weeks, addressing both textural scarring and discolouration simultaneously. Between these treatments, HydraFacial sessions provide gentle maintenance, hydration, and brightening that support the healing process. For clients with significant surface texture issues, we may incorporate Green Peel into the treatment plan for accelerated cell turnover and resurfacing. It is important to space treatments appropriately and not overload the skin with too many active treatments in a short period. Our aestheticians at Lavish Beauty are experienced in creating multi-treatment protocols that are both effective and safe for your skin. We will map out your entire treatment timeline during your $10 consultation so you know exactly what to expect at each visit.