Acne & Acne Scarring

Acne can affect the skin at many different stages, from congestion, blackheads and active inflammatory breakouts through to persistent redness, pigmentation and acne scarring. At Epicell Skin Clinic, we take a staged approach to acne treatment, beginning with an assessment of what is happening in your skin now. Our aim is to control active acne and inflammation first, help prevent further breakouts and scarring, and then address any redness, pigmentation or textural changes that remain.

Treating Active Acne

When acne is active, our priority is to reduce inflammation, manage congestion and support a healthier skin barrier. Depending on your skin, your treatment plan may include professional skin peels, LED light therapy, carefully selected skincare and skin treatments. Skin needling may also be introduced at an appropriate stage, particularly once active inflammation is controlled and our focus begins to shift towards improving texture and preventing longer-term post-acne changes.

Medical Support for Acne

Sometimes skin treatments alone aren't enough. Persistent, recurrent, cystic or more severe acne may require medical assessment and prescription treatment. As a nurse-led clinic, we recognise when acne may require additional medical support and can help facilitate appropriate care while continuing to support the health of your skin.

Post-Inflammatory Erythema (PIE)

Acne may disappear but leave behind flat pink, red or purple marks known as post-inflammatory erythema (PIE). These marks are different from brown pigmentation and true acne scarring. Once active acne is under control, treatments such as Laser Genesis and Excel V+ may be considered to target persistent redness and visible vascular changes, depending on how your skin presents.

Treating Acne Scarring

Once active acne and inflammation are controlled, we can begin addressing established acne scarring. Acne scars can vary considerably and may include rolling, boxcar, ice-pick and more superficial textural changes, so treatment needs to be selected according to the type and depth of scarring rather than using the same approach for everyone.

Skin Needling for Acne Scarring

Skin needling may be recommended for selected mild-to-moderate acne scarring, enlarged pores and uneven texture. The controlled micro-injury created during treatment stimulates the skin's natural repair response and collagen remodelling, with a course of treatments often recommended depending on the degree of scarring.

CO₂ Laser for Acne Scarring

For more established textural acne scarring, fractional CO₂ laser resurfacing may be considered. CO₂ creates controlled fractional treatment within the skin to stimulate collagen remodelling and improve the appearance of selected acne scars and uneven texture. Treatment intensity and downtime are tailored according to your skin, scar type and treatment goals.

Where Do I Start?

You don't need to know which treatment you need before you come in. During your consultation, we assess whether you're experiencing active acne, congestion, PIE, pigmentation, textural scarring or a combination of concerns and develop a treatment plan accordingly. Your journey may progress from controlling active acne and inflammation, to addressing residual redness and PIE, and finally treating established acne scarring.

Treatment Results & Individual Variability Disclaimer

Treatments may assist in improving the appearance and condition of the skin; however, results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Outcomes depend on several factors, including individual skin characteristics, medical history, treatment suitability, lifestyle, adherence to aftercare and individual response to treatment.

Not all treatments are suitable for every patient. A thorough consultation and clinical assessment are required to determine suitability, discuss potential benefits and risks, and establish realistic expectations. Multiple treatments may be required, and some patients may experience minimal or no noticeable improvement.