Overview
Depressed acne scars are common, can lower quality of life, and look worse as the face ages. The author reviews how single treatments for acne scars developed, then presents case examples of combined treatment in patients in their 30s, 40s and 50s. The abstract gives no patient counts or measured outcomes.
Findings
- Treatment options named: chemical peels, dermabrasion, ablative or nonablative laser resurfacing, dermal fillers, subcision and punch excision.
- A combined approach is generally needed, depending on the type and extent of scarring.
- Resurfacing corrects surface irregularities.
- Long-lasting fillers replace volume lost from acne.
- Sub-SMAS facelift counters the soft tissue laxity and sagging that come with aging.
- Representative cases from patients in their 30s, 40s and 50s are shown.
- In the author's practice, fractionated laser, injectable poly-L-lactic acid and sub-SMAS facelift together achieved what the author calls optimal aesthetic outcomes, high patient satisfaction and lasting effect.
What it means for a patient
- If you have acne scars and are considering a facelift, the facelift can address sagging that makes scars look worse, but it does not treat the scar surface.
- Laser resurfacing and fillers are often added to treat the surface and the volume loss from scarring.
- Ask your surgeon whether scar treatment can be planned alongside your facelift.
- This is one author's review with case examples. It does not report a study with numbers or a comparison group.
Why this paper matters
It links acne scar treatment with facelift surgery by assigning each problem a matching treatment: surface, volume and laxity. It reflects one surgeon's practice. Cited 31 times (NIH iCite, 2026-09-25).
Terms
- Atrophic acne scar: a sunken scar left by acne.
- Laser resurfacing: using a laser to remove or heat outer skin layers so new skin forms. Ablative lasers remove skin; nonablative lasers heat it without removing it.
- Fractionated laser: a laser that treats tiny columns of skin and leaves the skin between them intact.
- Subcision: cutting the scar bands under a sunken scar with a needle to release it.
- Punch excision: removing a single scar with a small round blade and closing the hole.
- SMAS: the layer of muscle and connective tissue under the facial skin and fat.
- Sub-SMAS facelift: a facelift that works beneath the SMAS layer.
- Poly-L-lactic acid: an injectable that prompts the skin to make collagen.