Medical Acne Scar Treatment

Medical Acne Scar Treatment

A personalised acne scar treatment protocol at Eternal by Dr. Lê Hiền — a one-on-one dermatologist consultation, combining TCA Cross, Subcision and Microneedling for each scar type.

60-90'Liên hệ
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Medical Acne Scar Treatment in Gò Vấp – Eternal Beauty Center

A personalised acne scar treatment protocol at Eternal Beauty Center Gò Vấp, performed directly by dermatologist Dr. Lê Hiền — combining TCA Cross, Subcision and Microneedling to help improve skin texture, fill in scars and restore the skin base according to each specific scar type.

  • Session duration: 60–90 minutes

  • Format: A personalised protocol for each scar type

  • Performed by: Dr. Lê Hiền, Dermatologist

  • Location: Eternal Beauty Center – 204 Đường số 1, P.16, Gò Vấp, Ho Chi Minh City

  • Cost: Personalised to your condition — a transparent quote after the consultation

How atrophic acne scars form

How atrophic acne scars form — destruction of collagen and elastin and damage to the supporting tissue beneath the skin

Atrophic scars are a common consequence of severe inflammatory acne or acne that has been treated incorrectly. When the damage is prolonged or inflammation spreads deep from the epidermis down into the dermis, the skin's supporting structure is affected, leaving indentations on the surface.

Atrophic scars generally form through several stages:

  • Destruction of collagen and elastin in the inflamed area — the two proteins primarily responsible for skin elasticity and structure.

  • Damage to the supporting tissue beneath the skin in the dermis, leaving the surface without a foundation.

  • The skin loses its structure and collapses inward, forming depressions of varying shapes.

  • Older scars become harder to improve as fibrous tissue forms and the filling response diminishes over time.

Understanding this mechanism explains why topical products struggle to "fill in" atrophic scars — the real damage sits in the dermis, beyond the reach of most conventional skincare actives.

Common types of atrophic scars

In dermatology, atrophic scars are generally classified into three main types based on their shape — a classification that forms the basis for the doctor's choice of treatment method:

  • Ice pick scars — small openings with deep, narrow bases that often extend down into the dermis. These are the hardest type to improve with surface-level methods.

  • Boxcar scars — wide openings with flat bases and sharply defined edges. They can be shallow or deep depending on the original damage.

  • Rolling scars — wide openings with undulating bases, caused by fibrous bands tethering the scar base to the tissue below. This type usually requires subcision to release.

On a single face, a client typically has several scar types coexisting — which is why a treatment protocol needs to combine multiple techniques rather than apply one fixed method.

When is the right time to treat acne scars

Comparing skin that must be stabilised before acne scar treatment

A common belief is that scars should be treated as early as possible. In reality, intervening on atrophic scars while the skin is unstable can worsen inflammation and slow recovery.

Your skin needs to be carefully assessed before scar treatment begins:

  • Inflammatory acne has been controlled, with no active inflammatory lesions.

  • The skin barrier is healthy enough to tolerate mildly invasive procedures.

  • The skin is not in a phase of irritation or peeling from strong treatments.

  • The client already has a stable skincare routine.

Conversely, if scars are left for too long, fibrous tissue in the dermis thickens and the response to filling methods tends to decline. The best time to treat atrophic scars is therefore when the acne has stabilised but the scars have not yet fully fibrosed — something that needs to be assessed directly by a dermatologist on each individual skin type.

Why a personalised protocol matters more than a fixed method

Common mistakes when treating acne scars without a suitable protocol

Every skin type and every scar type has its own characteristics. Applying the same method to all clients often leads to uneven results and wasted time and money.

Some common mistakes when treating acne scars without a suitable protocol:

  • Self-trying multiple products that do not suit the skin's condition.

  • Treating in the wrong direction, prolonging the course.

  • Inexperienced technicians performing uncontrolled procedures.

  • Acne progressing into severe inflammation, leaving dark marks and new scars.

Eternal's medical-grade approach:

  • Accurate examination and assessment by a dermatologist.

  • Personalising the routine and method to each scar type (ice pick, boxcar, rolling).

  • Properly trained, experienced technicians.

  • Controlling acne early to limit the formation of new scars.

The in-depth skin consultation at Eternal

A dermatologist examining and assessing the skin at Eternal Beauty Center Gò Vấp

An in-depth skin consultation at Eternal differs from an ordinary consultation in that it is carried out directly by a dermatologist, with skin scanning and a real assessment of the skin base before any treatment direction is proposed.

The consultation includes:

  • Reviewing your skin history and current care habits.

  • Scanning and assessing the actual skin base with specialised equipment.

  • Analysing the level of inflammation and the risk of dark marks and scarring.

  • Identifying the root cause (hormones, skin barrier, an incorrect routine, etc.).

  • Proposing a personalised treatment direction suited to your skin's condition.

Dr. Lê Hiền giving a one-on-one consultation on an acne scar treatment protocol

During the one-on-one consultation, clients discuss their skin and scar concerns directly with the doctor and receive a personalised protocol based on their specific skin condition. The doctor also adjusts the skincare routine to suit each stage of treatment, helping clients clearly understand the method and treatment strategy through each session and milestone.

Acne scar treatment methods at Eternal

Acne scar treatment methods at Eternal: medical-grade cleansing, TCA Cross, Scar Peel, E-Scar

Eternal offers several acne scar treatment methods and selects the most suitable one based on the dermatologist's examination. In many cases, methods are combined to treat several scar types on the same skin at once.

Medical-grade cleansing and recovery

Before any in-depth intervention, the skin needs to be cleansed and prepared into a healthy base with restorative, regenerative serums. This step is performed by experienced staff under the supervision of a dermatologist to ensure the skin is safely ready before mildly invasive procedures.

TCA Cross

TCA Cross (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars) is a technique that applies a high-concentration TCA solution precisely to the scar base, stimulating localised collagen regeneration in the dermis. This method suits:

  • Ice pick scars — the type usually hard to improve with surface methods.

  • Scars with small openings and deep bases.

  • Scars that need to be treated point by point rather than across a whole area.

Scar Peel

Scar Peel helps smooth the surface of shallow, small and relatively young scars. This technique helps:

  • Blur the boundary between healthy skin and scarred skin.

  • Improve the skin's surface texture.

  • Support a more even tone across scarred areas.

E-Scar at Eternal

E-Scar is a multimodal acne scar treatment offered at Eternal, combining several techniques within a single course to act on multiple skin layers at the same time:

  • Subcision (releasing the base — breaking up scar fibrosis): frees the fibrous bands tethering the scar base to the tissue below — the core technique for treating rolling scars.

  • EGF booster: stimulates the growth of new cells beneath the scar.

  • Microneedling: treats scars at a micro level, stimulating collagen growth across the whole area.

  • Spot TCA Cross: applied to any remaining ice pick scars.

E-Scar suits clients with several scar types on the same area or with older scars that have undergone other methods without significant improvement.

The medical-grade acne scar treatment process

Each acne scar treatment session at Eternal follows a set of core steps, combined with medical supervision by a dermatologist:

  1. Examination and skin assessment — the doctor checks the current skin condition and identifies the scar type and level of damage.

  2. In-depth cleansing — makeup removal, double cleansing and preparing the skin surface before the procedure.

  3. Controlling inflammatory acne (if needed) — treating any active inflammatory lesions before intervening on scars.

  4. Restoring the skin barrier — delivering restorative serums into the skin base to improve its response.

  5. Performing the scar treatment method — TCA Cross, Subcision, Microneedling or a combination depending on the protocol.

  6. Soothing and recovery after the procedure — applying a soothing mask, moisturiser and sunscreen.

  7. Home-care guidance — the doctor discusses your routine and the next appointment.

The entire process is medically supervised and closely monitored at each stage so the protocol can be adjusted promptly if the skin changes.

How skin structure changes after the treatment journey

Comparing skin structure before and after an acne scar treatment course at Eternal

The results of acne scar treatment show not only in the depressions being filled in but also in an overall change in the skin's structure:

Before treatment: the skin is often thickened and rough, lacks radiance and shows mild sagging in areas with many scars.

After the treatment journey: the skin is smoother, hydration improves, and it becomes firmer with better collagen growth in the treated areas.

Before-and-after images of an E-Scar course at Eternal — a client with long-standing atrophic scars

A real case at Eternal: a client with long-standing, multi-type post-acne scarring who had previously undergone CO2 laser and subcision at several clinics in Vietnam and abroad without improvement. After an E-Scar course at Eternal, the scars were filled in by around 90–95% depending on scar type in this case, the boundary between scarred and healthy skin became faint and hard to see under natural light — a clear improvement after only about one month.

Eternal is committed to using only entirely real images, recorded at Eternal or sent by clients. Original videos and images are always available at Eternal for clients to view and verify.

Acne scar treatment costs at Eternal

The cost of acne scar treatment depends on many factors — the scar type, depth, treatment area, number of sessions required and the methods chosen within the personalised protocol. For this reason, Eternal Beauty Center Gò Vấp does not apply a single fixed price for all clients.

Item

Cost

One-on-one consultation with Dr. Lê Hiền, Dermatologist

Contact us

TCA Cross course

Contact us — by number of scars and sessions

Scar Peel course

Contact us — by treatment area

Multimodal E-Scar course

Contact us — by personalised protocol

Eternal's commitment to cost transparency:

  • Clients receive a detailed, complete quote after the consultation with the doctor — before any procedure begins.

  • Pricing is explained clearly by method, by session and by stage of the protocol.

  • No costs arise beyond the agreed quote.

  • Clients are free to consider, compare and decide before signing up for a course.

This approach helps avoid the "attractive starting price but many add-on charges during treatment" problem that is common in today's aesthetics market. To find out the specific cost for your scar condition, please book a consultation or message Zalo 0334 713 610 for a preliminary assessment.

Suitable cases and important notes

Suitable for

  • Clients with post-acne atrophic scars (ice pick, boxcar, rolling).

  • Older scars that have undergone other methods without improvement.

  • Skin that has controlled inflammatory acne and wants to improve surface texture.

  • Clients who need a personalised protocol rather than a fixed course.

Cases that need stabilising first

  • Severe active inflammatory acne, cystic or nodular acne.

  • Skin in a phase of irritation or peeling from strong treatments.

  • Skin that has recently had laser, peeling or other invasive procedures.

  • Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding — please discuss directly with the doctor.

  • A history of keloids or a tendency toward hyperpigmentation — careful assessment is needed before intervention.

Aftercare following acne scar treatment

Proper aftercare directly affects treatment results and how the skin recovers:

  • Limit touching your face during the first 24 hours after the procedure.

  • Avoid makeup for the first 48–72 hours to let the skin recover.

  • Use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher during the day, preferably products for sensitive post-treatment skin.

  • Pause retinol, AHA and BHA and strong treatments as directed by the doctor.

  • Avoid saunas and high-intensity exercise for the first 48 hours.

  • Use the restorative products prescribed by the doctor, and do not change your routine on your own.

  • Keep a healthy diet, limiting spicy food, sweets and alcohol in the first few days.

  • Contact Eternal if any abnormal signs appear, such as prolonged swelling, spreading redness or increasing pain.

The next appointment is scheduled by the doctor according to how your skin responds, typically every 4–6 weeks depending on the method.

Frequently asked questions

How many sessions does acne scar treatment need before improvement shows?

The number of sessions depends on the scar type, depth, age of the scars and how each skin responds. Typically, clients need a course of several sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart. The doctor will discuss the expected number of sessions in detail during the first consultation.

Can long-standing atrophic scars still be treated?

Older scars usually have thicker fibrous tissue and respond more slowly than new ones. However, multimodal methods such as E-Scar can still support significant improvement, especially when combining Subcision (releasing the base — breaking up scar fibrosis) with Microneedling and TCA Cross.

Is downtime needed after acne scar treatment?

It depends on the method used. With Scar Peel or spot TCA Cross, the skin can usually return to normal activities within 1–3 days. With multimodal E-Scar, recovery may take longer; the doctor will discuss the specifics before the procedure.

Is there anything to avoid during the scar treatment period?

Clients are advised to pause retinol, AHA, BHA and strong treatments before and after the procedure. The skincare routine will be adjusted by the doctor to suit each stage of the course.

How much does acne scar treatment at Eternal cost?

The cost depends on the scar type, the chosen method and the number of sessions required under the personalised protocol. Eternal is committed to a transparent, clear quote after the consultation with the doctor, with no costs beyond what has been agreed.

Why choose Eternal Beauty Center in Gò Vấp

In the Gò Vấp area, demand for acne scar treatment keeps rising — bringing with it many clinics, spas and aesthetic centres of uneven quality. Choosing the right address from the start helps clients avoid being treated in the wrong direction, wasting time and money.

Some reasons clients in Gò Vấp choose Eternal:

  • A dermatologist examines you and builds the protocol directly — not a sales consultant or technician in their place. Dr. Lê Hiền personally assesses, designs the protocol and monitors the entire course.

  • A personalised protocol for each scar type — Eternal does not apply the same course to all clients. Ice pick, boxcar and rolling scars are treated with different techniques (TCA Cross, Subcision, Microneedling, Scar Peel) or a combination.

  • Real experience across a wide range of scar types — diverse scar ages and skin types.

  • Medical control from start to finish — from cleansing and preparing the skin base to intervention and aftercare, everything is supervised by the doctor.

  • Transparent costs — a complete quote after the consultation, with nothing beyond what has been agreed.

  • A convenient location in Gò Vấp — 204 Đường số 1, Ward 16, easily reached from nearby areas such as Wards 12, 14 and 17 and adjacent districts (Phú Nhuận, Tân Bình, Bình Thạnh, District 12).

  • A private, quiet space — Eternal is designed as a spa + medical clinic model, ensuring a comfortable experience throughout the course.

Eternal Beauty Center focuses on quality and trust rather than chasing deep-discount campaigns or pressure-driven promotions. Every client is advised based on their actual skin condition and is free to consider before deciding.

Book a consultation at Eternal

Acne scars need the right strategy from the very start — delay or treatment in the wrong direction both make the journey longer and more costly.

Book a skin analysis and acne scar assessment with Dr. Lê Hiền, Dermatologist, to accurately identify the scar type, the level of damage and build a treatment plan suited to your skin. During the consultation, the doctor will:

  • Scan the skin and classify the scars specifically (ice pick / boxcar / rolling).

  • Assess the skin base, the risk of dark marks and the likely treatment response.

  • Propose a personalised protocol with an estimated number of sessions, cost and timeline.

  • Advise on a skincare routine suited to each stage of the course.

Eternal focuses on a methodical process, medical control and close monitoring at every stage.

Message Zalo or call 0334 713 610 for same-day booking support, or browse all services at Eternal Beauty Center Gò Vấp.

Contact information:

This article was produced with professional input from Dr. Lê Hiền, Dermatologist — Eternal Beauty Center.

The information Eternal Beauty Center shares is for reference and lookup purposes and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Treatment results depend on each individual's constitution and how their body responds. Clients should book a consultation for advice on a suitable method from the doctor.

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