Concerns

Acne & Acne Scarring

Manage active breakouts, reduce post-acne marks and improve the appearance of acne scarring with a personalised, consultation-led treatment plan at our Notting Hill clinic.

What it is

Acne is an inflammatory condition of the hair follicles and oil glands that can cause blackheads, whiteheads, inflamed spots, nodules or cysts. It may leave red or brown marks and permanent raised or indented scars.

Common influences

Hormones, excess oil production, blocked follicles, inflammation, genetics, some medicines and certain cosmetic products. Acne is not caused by dirty skin.

Who it affects

Acne can affect all ages and skin tones. It is especially common in teenagers and young adults, but adult acne is also common.

How we manage it

Targeted skincare, selected chemical peels, medical treatment or referral for active acne, and procedure-led options such as microneedling or laser for suitable marks and scars once breakouts are controlled.

Understanding Acne & Acne Scarring

Acne commonly affects the face, chest and back. It may appear as blackheads and whiteheads, inflamed papules or pustules, or deeper painful nodules and cysts. After a breakout settles, the skin may retain flat red or brown marks. These colour changes are not the same as true scars and often need a different treatment approach.

Acne scars may be indented, including ice-pick, boxcar and rolling scars, or raised, including hypertrophic and keloid scars. Many people have more than one scar type. Active acne should usually be brought under control before scar procedures begin, helping reduce the risk of new scars and allowing treatment to be matched more accurately.

How We Treat Acne & Acne Scarring

Your plan is based on whether acne is active, the type and severity of breakouts, the presence of post-inflammatory marks, scar type and depth, skin tone, sensitivity, medical history and previous treatment. More than one approach may be recommended, but treatments are sequenced carefully rather than performed all at once.

Acne-Focused Medical Skincare

A consistent routine can help reduce congestion, manage oil without stripping the skin and support treatment tolerance. We may recommend non-comedogenic cleansing, moisturising and daily broad-spectrum sun protection alongside carefully selected active ingredients. Stronger is not always better: irritation can undermine progress and worsen visible marks.

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Chemical Peels

Selected superficial chemical peels may help with congestion, uneven texture and some post-acne discolouration. The peel, strength and timing must be matched to your skin and any products or medicines you use. Peels cannot remove deep scars, and active, irritated or compromised skin may need to settle first.

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SkinPen Microneedling

Medical microneedling can stimulate collagen remodelling and may improve selected indented acne scars and uneven texture over a course of treatment. It is not performed over active inflammatory acne and is not the correct treatment for every scar type, particularly raised or keloid scars. Suitability and risk of pigment change are assessed carefully.

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Laser Skin Rejuvenation

Where appropriate, laser treatment may be considered for selected acne scars, persistent redness or discolouration. Different devices address different targets, and results, downtime and pigment risk vary by skin tone and treatment depth. Laser cannot erase scars completely, and a patch test may be required.

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Medical Management & Referral

Moderate or severe acne, painful nodules or cysts, rapid scarring, or acne that is affecting your wellbeing may need prescription treatment.  If active acne needs medical management beyond the clinic’s scope, we will recommend that route before beginning scar-focused procedures.

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Why Asthetik for Acne & Acne Scarring

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Doctor-Led

A careful consultation distinguishes active acne, flat post-acne marks and true scarring, then considers severity, scar type, skin tone, previous treatment and risk factors before a plan is proposed.

Safety & Ethics

We prioritise controlling active acne, set realistic expectations and do not promise to erase scars. Treatment is postponed or declined when a procedure is unsuitable or the risk of irritation, infection or pigment change outweighs likely benefit.

Personalised Care

Acne and scarring are not single problems. Recommendations are matched to congestion, inflammation, discolouration, indented scars, raised scars and your individual skin response.

Experience

Established clinical experience, careful treatment selection and transparent advice from consultation through aftercare.

Results

Results depend on whether we are treating active acne, post-acne marks or true scars. Skincare and medical management can reduce new breakouts over time, while peels, microneedling or selected laser treatments may improve tone and texture. Scars cannot usually be removed completely, and a course of treatment or combination plan may be needed.

Pricing

Acne and acne-scarring treatment is personalised, so cost depends on the concern being treated, the procedure selected and the number of sessions advised.

Indicative price From £150
Your consultation includes Assessment of your concerns and skin history, discussion of suitable options, expected outcomes, risks, aftercare and a personalised plan.

Frequently asked questions

Acne can often be controlled effectively, but it may recur. Post-acne marks can fade and may respond to treatment. True scars can usually be softened and made less noticeable, but no procedure can guarantee their complete removal. Realistic goals are agreed after assessing your scar type and skin.

Usually, yes. Treating active acne first helps prevent new scars and reduces the risk of performing a procedure through inflamed skin. Mild congestion and marks may sometimes be addressed alongside an acne plan, but scar-remodelling procedures are generally considered once inflammatory breakouts are controlled.

Flat red, purple or brown areas left after spots are post-inflammatory colour changes rather than scars. True scars alter the skin’s texture and may be indented or raised. The distinction matters because skincare, peels, laser and microneedling do not treat every type in the same way.

No. Microneedling may improve selected indented scars by stimulating collagen, but it is not performed over active inflammatory acne and is generally not appropriate for raised or keloid scars. Deep ice-pick or tethered scars may require a different specialist approach. Suitability also depends on your skin tone, healing history and medicines.

Speak to a GP if pharmacy treatments have not controlled your acne, if it is moderate or severe, if you develop painful nodules or cysts, if scarring is occurring, or if acne is affecting your mental wellbeing. Prescription treatment or dermatology referral may be more appropriate than a cosmetic procedure.

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