How Healthy Is Your Skin Really?

Acne Scar Treatment Sunshine Coast

Acne may settle, but the scarring and changes it leaves behind can remain long after active breakouts have improved.

At That Skin Clinic in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, we offer personalised treatments designed to improve the appearance of acne scarring, uneven skin texture and post-acne marks while supporting the overall health and function of your skin.

Acne scarring is not one-size-fits-all. Different scar types, skin types and concerns require different approaches, which is why every acne scar treatment plan begins with a thorough skin consultation.

Depending on your skin and the type of scarring present, your treatment plan may include fractional Er:YAG laser resurfacing, skin needling, chemical peels, LED therapy and professional home care.

Our focus is progressive, considered skin improvement rather than quick fixes.

What Causes Acne Scarring?

Acne scars can develop when inflammation associated with a breakout extends deeper into the skin and disrupts the normal healing process.

More inflammatory acne, including deeper nodules and cysts, has a greater potential to affect the collagen structures supporting the skin. As the area heals, the body may produce too little or too much collagen, resulting in a visible change to the skin's surface.

This can leave depressed scars, raised scars or areas of uneven texture.

Not every mark left after acne is a true scar. Red or brown marks following a breakout may instead be post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). These concerns behave differently from structural acne scars and may require a different treatment approach.

Identifying what we are actually treating is an important part of your consultation.

Types of Acne Scars

Acne scarring can present in several different ways, and many people have a combination of scar types.

Rolling Scars

Shallow depressions that can give the skin a wavy or uneven appearance.

Boxcar Scars

More defined, depressed scars with noticeable edges.

Ice-Pick Scars

Small, narrow and deeper scars extending into the skin.

Post-Acne Redness and Pigmentation

Red, pink, brown or darker marks that remain after a breakout. While these are not always true scars, they can contribute significantly to an uneven complexion.

The type and depth of your scarring will influence which treatments we recommend.

Acne Scar Treatments at That Skin Clinic

Fractional Er:YAG Laser Resurfacing

Our Etherea MX DualMode Er:YAG 2940 nm laser can be used for fractional skin resurfacing to target uneven texture and support skin remodelling.

Controlled laser energy creates microscopic treatment zones within the skin, stimulating the natural repair process and supporting new collagen formation.

Fractional laser resurfacing may be recommended for suitable clients with textural acne scarring, enlarged-looking pores and uneven skin texture.

Skin Needling

Professional skin needling creates controlled micro-injuries within the skin to stimulate its natural repair response and collagen production.

It can be incorporated into a progressive treatment plan for suitable acne scars, particularly where improving overall texture and skin quality is the goal.

Chemical Peels

Professional chemical peels may be used to improve surface texture, congestion and some of the discolouration that can remain following acne.

The peel selected will depend on your skin condition, barrier health, pigmentation risk and treatment goals.

LED Light Therapy

LED therapy can be incorporated into an acne or acne-scar treatment program to support the skin, particularly when inflammation or recovery from more advanced treatments needs to be considered.

Active Acne or Acne Scars: What Should We Treat First?

If you are still experiencing regular inflammatory breakouts, our priority may be improving the active acne and supporting your skin barrier before beginning more intensive scar treatments.

Continuing breakouts can create new marks and scars, so treating existing scarring without addressing ongoing acne may limit your overall result.

At your consultation, we will assess your current skin, breakout patterns, skincare, lifestyle and treatment history before recommending where to begin.

Where acne is severe, persistent, cystic or outside our cosmetic scope, we may recommend assessment by your GP or dermatologist alongside your treatment plan.

Can Acne Scarring Be Prevented?

Not every acne scar can be prevented, but reducing prolonged inflammation and avoiding unnecessary trauma to breakouts may help reduce the likelihood of further scarring.

Some of the most important steps include:

Address persistent acne early rather than waiting for significant scarring to develop.
Avoid picking and squeezing breakouts, which can increase inflammation and skin trauma.
Keep skincare gentle and consistent. Aggressive scrubbing, over-exfoliation and repeatedly stripping the skin can compromise the skin barrier.
Use appropriate home care and daily sun protection to support the skin and minimise worsening of post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Seek medical assessment when appropriate. Persistent, severe or cystic acne may require management by a GP or dermatologist.

How Many Acne Scar Treatments Will I Need?

Acne scar treatment is usually a process rather than a single treatment. The number and type of sessions required will depend on the type and depth of your scars, your skin type, active acne, previous treatments, downtime preferences and the outcome you are hoping to achieve.

For some clients, the best approach involves combining different treatment modalities over several months rather than relying on one treatment alone.

Your treatment plan will be tailored after we assess your skin in person.

Start With an Acne and Skin Consultation

Not sure whether you are dealing with acne scars, post-acne redness, pigmentation or a combination of concerns?

Start with a $75 Skin Consultation at That Skin Clinic, fully redeemable toward recommended treatment or skincare. We will assess your skin, discuss your concerns and treatment history, and create a personalised plan based on what your skin actually needs.