Acne scar treatment
in Glasgow
When the acne clears but the marks remain
Most patients who come to us about acne scars have been living with them for years. They have tried the vitamin C serums, the retinol creams, the glycolic peels. Some have tried other clinics. The improvement, if any, has been modest. The explanation they usually receive is that scars are permanent and there is only so much that can be done.
That is not entirely wrong. Acne scars are permanent changes to the architecture of the dermis — collagen and elastin disrupted by the deep inflammation of cystic or nodular acne. They cannot be erased. But the right clinical protocol can meaningfully reduce scar depth, improve the surrounding skin quality, and significantly reduce how visible the scarring is. There is a real difference between scarring that dominates someone’s daily confidence and scarring that requires close inspection to notice.
At MediGlow in Thornliebank, Glasgow, we treat acne scarring using two clinically evidenced approaches: PICO Genesis FX on the Cutera Enlighten SR, and SkinPen microneedling. In patients with significant scarring, we often combine both. We are also pharmacist independent prescribers, which means we can add prescription-grade topicals to a combined course where the clinical picture calls for it — something most aesthetics clinics cannot offer.
We serve patients with acne scarring from across Glasgow Southside including Newton Mearns, Giffnock, East Kilbride and Clarkston. Treatment suitability is assessed at consultation. Individual results vary.
At a glance
Understanding your scars
The main types of acne scar
Correctly identifying your scar type is the single most important step in treatment planning. Different scars respond differently to different protocols. At MediGlow, every treatment plan starts with a full clinical assessment and skin analysis.
Rolling scars
The most common type. Broad, shallow depressions with gently sloping edges that give the skin an undulating appearance. Caused by fibrous bands connecting the dermis to the subcutaneous tissue, pulling the skin surface inward.
Rolling scars respond well to PICO Genesis FX and SkinPen Precision Elite, both of which stimulate collagen remodelling in the mid-dermis.
Boxcar scars
Round or oval depressions with sharper, more defined vertical edges. Shallower boxcar scars respond well to collagen-stimulating treatments. Deeper boxcar scars may benefit from a combined or extended course.
We assess boxcar scar depth at consultation and discuss realistic outcomes based on your individual presentation before any treatment begins.
Ice pick scars
Narrow, deep channels that extend into the dermis. The most challenging scar type to treat. PICO Genesis FX can improve the surrounding skin quality, but true ice pick scars often respond better to TCA CROSS — a specific chemical reconstruction technique delivered into each channel.
If ice pick scars are your primary concern, we will discuss this honestly at consultation and plan the most appropriate approach.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
The dark marks left after acne breakouts. Technically not scars — they are pigmentation changes rather than structural damage — but they are often the primary concern for patients with South Asian or darker skin. Pico Laser is particularly effective for PIH. At MediGlow, as pharmacist independent prescribers, we can also combine laser sessions with prescription-grade topicals that target the melanogenesis pathway directly, which most aesthetics clinics cannot prescribe.
Clinical note
Active acne must be under control before scar treatment begins. Treating over active breakouts risks worsening existing scarring and reducing the effectiveness of any laser or microneedling protocol. We assess this at consultation and will advise on timing before any treatment is planned.
Treatment options
How we treat acne scars at MediGlow
We offer two evidence-based treatments for acne scarring. For most patients with significant scarring, we recommend a combined protocol that alternates both across a structured course.
Best suited for
45–65%
typical improvement in scar depth (3–4 sessions)
3–5
sessions for most presentations
Fitz I–VI
FDA-cleared for all skin types
Best suited for
30–60%
improvement in scar depth (6-session protocol)
4–6
sessions for acne scar protocols
Zero heat
safe for all skin types including Fitzpatrick IV–VI
The MediGlow approach
A combined protocol — and what sets MediGlow apart
For most patients with significant acne scarring, a combined protocol delivers more comprehensive improvement than either treatment alone. We typically alternate PICO Genesis FX and SkinPen Precision Elite microneedling across a structured course — the laser creates photoacoustic dermal disruption that stimulates collagen from one direction, and the controlled micro-injury of microneedling adds regenerative fibroblast activity from another. PDRN can be added to either stage of the course as an optional enhancement.
The clinical literature on combined approaches is consistent: picosecond laser combined with polynucleotide therapy gives better results than monotherapy. These combined approaches also appear to decrease downtime and reduce post-procedure irritation compared to ablative laser alternatives.
For patients with post-acne pigmentation alongside structural scarring, we can also incorporate prescription-grade topicals — including tranexamic acid and retinoid formulations — into the treatment plan. As GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers, Pompi and Lalit can prescribe these directly. Most aesthetics clinics cannot.
Ablative fractional CO2 lasers are effective for deep textural remodelling but require significant downtime and carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin. Head-to-head clinical trials show Pico Laser offering advantages in pigment clearance, lower downtime, and reduced thermal injury. For patients with South Asian or darker skin — a significant proportion of MediGlow's patient base — this is not an interchangeable choice. The Cutera Enlighten SR at 1064nm was chosen specifically because of its proven safety profile across all skin tones.
Example combined course
Course tailored at consultation.
The prescriber advantage
Pompi and Lalit are GPhC-registered pharmacist independent prescribers. They can prescribe retinoids, tranexamic acid and compounded formulations as part of your treatment plan — targeted at the melanogenesis pathway for post-acne pigmentation. This is not available at most aesthetics clinics.
All skin types
Safe for South Asian, East Asian and Afro-Caribbean skin
This matters significantly for MediGlow's patient base across Newton Mearns, Giffnock and Glasgow Southside, where a significant proportion of patients have South Asian or East Asian skin.
Ablative lasers and some older fractional systems carry a higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in Fitzpatrick IV to VI skin. Heat stimulates melanin production — and in higher-melanin skin, that response is stronger. A treatment that effectively clears scarring in Fitzpatrick II skin can make pigmentation significantly worse in Fitzpatrick V skin if the wrong device is used.
The Cutera Enlighten SR at 1064nm is FDA-cleared for Fitzpatrick I through VI. The photoacoustic mechanism — pressure not heat — substantially reduces PIH risk. SkinPen Precision Elite involves no heat at all. Both treatments at MediGlow are appropriate for darker skin tones, and the Enlighten SR was chosen specifically with this patient group in mind.
If you have been told by another clinic that your skin tone makes laser unsuitable for you, we encourage you to read more before assuming this applies to Pico Laser at 1064nm.
Read our guide to laser treatments for South Asian skin