Acne Scar Treatment
Get smooth, clear skin with advanced acne scar treatments in San Diego. From lasers to microneedling and fillers, our expert dermatologists help you find the perfect treatment for your skin.
Smooth away acne scars
Effective treatments for every scar type
We match your treatment to your specific scar type, because what works for one kind of scar might not work for another. Our customizable treatments address atrophic (depressed) and hypertrophic (raised) acne scars such as:
Ice Pick Scars
Narrow, deep scars that look like small punctures in the skin, often requiring more aggressive treatments.
Boxcar Scars
Wide, rectangular depressions with defined edges, typically responding well to resurfacing treatments.
Rolling Scars
Broad depressions with sloping edges, giving the skin a wavy appearance, often treated with a combination of techniques.
Keloid Scars
Raised scars that grow beyond the original injury site, requiring specialized treatments to prevent recurrence.
HEAR FROM OUR HAPPY PATIENTS
5/5 STARS
I trust Farzaneh Momeni completely with my skin. She is by far the best clinical aesthetician I’ve ever known. My skin has improved dramatically since I began monthly facials with her. Her treatments are 100% results-driven so if this is what you seek, look no further. Also, the entire Team at West Dermatology are top-notch. They’re always friendly, professional, & helpful, & greet everyone with a smile. 10 Stars all around!
My new regular cosmetic dermatology office. Dr Zubair is amazing and really patient with me. He has helped me over the last year with keloid scar removal, jaw Botox, and full facial acne scar treatment (ultra clear). The office is clean and the nursing/medical assistant staff is accommodating on all levels. I will always recommend this office and Dr Zubair to friends and family.
Most professional and most impressive! The service from the physicians to office staff is superb!
I live in Orange County and drove all the way out to see Dr. Wu because a friend of mine referred him (she had amazing results from her face and neck procedure). Dr. Wu is truly an artist! He made me feel extremely comfortable during my procedure. I was anxious when I got there, but he (and his staff) have such great energy and are so very kind and gentle that you can't help but feel at ease! The office was immaculate and they adhered to covid rules (sanitizing, temp checks, masks). This is my go-to place from now on and Dr. Wu is my go-to guy! Can't wait to see my final results! Thank you Phyllis (pre-op) for being so wonderful and informative! You were so very helpful and kind! I'll definitely be back!
Leysin and the entire team at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology are fantastic. They are professional, caring and communicative. The laser treatment was comfortable, efficient and effective! I highly recommend this practice. I definitely will come back and recommend her and Cosmetic Laser Dermatology to my family and friends.
Dr. Goldman is amazing! I came here for my permanent eyeliner removal (which is not offered anywhere near me), and they are completely removed in just one session. They use a special contact lens to protect your eyes from the laser, and there are no damages to my eyelashes. The healing was also nice and smooth. They have everything you need. I live almost 3 hours away, but it was totally worth the trip. For anyone who is looking to remove their permanent makeup, this is the right place to go :)-
Dr. Butterwick is fantastic, all of her team as well. They make sure your experience is pleasant and painless as possible. My tattoo removal and my injectables look amazing. I highly recommend her for any skin treatment.
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology was recommended to me by my dermatologist. He recommended Dr. Monica Boen. I'm so glad I took his recommendation. Everyone here at Cosmetic Laser Dermatology was super nice and friendly. Very welcoming. I came here for hair removal treatment. I did 4 sessions with Dr. Boen. Dr. Boen made me feel so comfortable and at ease when I talked to her. She explained everything before she did my treatment. I loved that. She was really easy to talk to. I definitely will come back and recommend her and Cosmetic Laser Dermatology to my family and friends.
This office is awesome. My visit today was with Dr. Groff. His bed side manner is so fun and welcoming. He understood my concerns and recommended a treatment plan that I feel was reasonable. I love his staff! They take there time to make sure you understand the treatment and after care. Everyone in the office, from the front desk to the nurses in the back, are so friendly and beautiful. They are very prompt and I trust my care with CLD. I can't wait for my next visit. See you guys in a few weeks!
"Dr. Sabrina Fabi is genius! Her technique is unlike anyone, her eye is precise, and her kindness and caring manner comes from the depth of her soul. She's simply brilliant! It's no wonder people travel the country just to be treated by her."
I wish I could give them 10 stars! I had such an awesome experience for my first visit and I am referring everyone I know to this office. From the super friendly staff to the state of the art procedures, they are the cream of the crop.
“I came to participate in a research study. All of the Doctors and staff at C.L. Dermatology are very professional, warm and friendly. All our my needs were anticipated and the hospitality of this office is like a five star hotel.”
Fade acne scars with treatments made for you
Pulse Dye Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light
Helps minimize redness within acne scars to give the skin a clearer, more even-toned appearance. Works best on pigmented scars.
Fraxel® Restore Dual and ResurFX
Stimulates fibroblasts to help smooth raised and depressed scars, improve texture, and reduce hyperpigmentation.
Potenza™ Radiofrequency Microneedling
Combines microneedling with RF energy to stimulate collagen, elastic fiber, and hyaluronic acid production, and smooth scars. Effective for various scar types, especially rolling and shallow boxcar scars.
Laser Skin Resurfacing
Uses various lasers to target top skin layers where scars have formed. Effective for most acne scar types, including deep ice pick scars and keloids.
Dermal Fillers
Involve injecting fillers and/or biostimulators like Bellafill®, Juvéderm®, Restylane®, Belotero® to add volume, stimulate skin-repairing fibroblasts to produce collagen, elastic fibers and hyaluronic acid to smooth depressed scars. Ideal for atrophic scars, particularly rolling scars and some boxcar scars.
Subcision
Minimally invasive procedure that releases tough, rope-like strands pulling skin down. Best for depressed scars, particularly rolling scars and some boxcar scars.
Why You'll Love Us
Leaders in scar research
Our in-house research center tests new acne scar treatments, like fractional and fully ablative laser resurfacing and RF microneedling, giving you early access to promising therapies.
Minimally invasive treatment combos
We mix and match minimally invasive treatments to tackle your specific scar types and skin needs for the best results.
Detailed scar analysis
You’ll get a careful examination of your scars to pick the right treatment for each type.
Always improving
Benefit from the most up-to-date scar treatments, as we continuously refine our techniques based on the latest research and our experience training doctors nationwide.
Proven track record
Receive treatments from board-certified dermatologists with over 35 years of experience helping thousands overcome acne scarring.
Our Renowned Dermatologists
We are proud to share that Dr. Goldman, Dr. Butterwick, Dr. Groff, Dr. Fabi, & Dr. Boen have once again been recognized as Castle Connolly Top Doctors in 2026!
Cosmetic Laser Dermatology has been voted Best Cosmetic Dermatology Practice in San Diego Magazine’s 2025 “Best of San Diego” readers’ poll!
Dr. William Groff was voted Best Cosmetic Dermatologist, Best Cosmetic Surgeon, and Best Dermatologist for 4 consecutive years by the San Diego Reader Best Poll.
Dr. Mitchel Goldman was voted #1 Cosmetic Dermatologist in America by Newsweek
Dr. William Groff was voted Best Cosmetic Dermatologist and Best Cosmetic Surgeon for 8 consecutive years by the San Diego U-T Best Readers Poll.
Drs. Goldman, Butterwick, and Fabi made the top 8 in Newsweek’s Best Cosmetic Dermatologists in America for the last two years in a row
Voted in the top 10% of Realself Doctors by achieving high patient satisfaction and getting favorable feedback on Q&A
Dr. William Groff was voted Best Dermatologist for 10 consecutive years and Best Cosmetic Surgeon for 9 consecutive years by the La Jolla Light Best Readers Poll.
Drs. Goldman, Butterwick, Groff, Fabi, and Boen were named Castle Connolly Top Doctors in 2025, making us one of the Top 3 Practices in California with the most Castle Connolly Top Doctors in Dermatology.
Dr. Boen has been recognized as a Top Doctor in 2023 and 2024 by San Diego County Medical Society.
Dr. Butterwick, is a distinguished facial cosmetic surgeon certified by the American Board of Facial
Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS).
Frequently asked questions
Results vary, but most patients start seeing improvements within 2-4 weeks. You’ll continue to see your skin get better over several months as your body produces new collagen, elastic fibers and hyaluronic acid. Some treatments, like fillers, can show immediate results.
We have several powerful lasers and RF devices that work great for acne scars, including the Fraxel Restore Dual, Potenza RF microneedling, a variety of Pulsed Dye Lasers, Ultrapulse CO2, Accupulse, Sciton, Fraxel Re:Pair, ResurFX, and Active/Deep FX. The best one for you depends on your scar type and skin tone. For example, the CO2 laser is fantastic for deep scars, while the Potenza RF is great for more superficial scars and darker skin tones. During your consultation, we’ll examine your skin and recommend the laser that’ll give you the best results with the least downtime.
Absolutely. Acne isn’t exclusive to your face. Many people struggle with “bacne.” We can customize solutions for scars from pimples on your face and body.
Most of our patients find the treatments pretty comfortable. We use numbing creams or local anesthesia for most procedures, and some of our lasers have built-in cooling systems. You might feel some pressure or warmth, but it’s usually very tolerable. If you need extra relief, try Pro-Nox™. We offer this nitrous oxide (laughing) gas for patients who feel anxious about lasers or needles. It helps you relax during the treatment and wears off quickly.
It really depends on how deep your scars are and which treatment we’re using. Most people need multiple sessions to see the results they want. We’ll give you a personalized estimate during your consultation.
While we can’t promise to erase every trace of your scars, most of our patients see a significant improvement in how their skin looks and feels. Our goal is to make your scars much less noticeable, so you feel confident in your skin.
For those stubborn, deep scars, we often recommend laser resurfacing or a combo of subcision (which breaks up scar tissue) and dermal fillers. These methods work well to lift the depressed areas and smooth out your skin.
The cost can vary depending on what type of treatment you need and how many sessions it will take. Generally, these treatments cost anywhere from $300 to $3000+ per session. We’ll give you a detailed quote after we assess your skin.
It really depends on the treatment. Some, like microneedling, might just leave you a bit red for a day. Others, like deep laser treatments, could need 3-7 days of downtime where your skin will be healing. We’ll make sure you know what to expect before your treatment.
Ideally, we want to get your acne under control first. But don’t worry — we have treatments that can help with both active acne and scarring at the same time, including the brand-new Accure laser system and Photodynamic Therapy. We’ll work with you to create a plan that tackles all your skin concerns.
The improvements you see from treatments can last a long time. But remember, your skin continues to age, and if you get new acne breakouts, new scars could form. Some people like to do maintenance treatments every year or so to keep their results looking fresh.
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