Thursday, October 23rd, 2025

How Many Acne Scar Treatment Sessions Do You Really Need? Mild vs Moderate vs Severe Scars

Q: How many sessions are needed for subcision?

Most patients require 2 to 4 subcision sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart, depending on scar depth and tethering severity.

Q: How many sessions are required for Fractional CO₂ laser?

For moderate to severe acne scars, 3 to 5 sessions of Fractional CO₂ laser spaced every 2–3 months are typical. Settings are tailored to minimise downtime and PIH risk.

Q: Can I combine treatments to reduce the number of sessions?

Yes. Combining CO₂ laser, Secret RF, or subcision allows multi-layer scar correction in fewer total visits. A professional consultation determines the safest sequence for your skin type.

How Many Acne Scar Treatment Sessions Do You Really Need? Mild vs Moderate vs Severe Scars

Acne scar improvement is a journey, not a single-session fix. The number of treatments you’ll need depends on the scar type, depth, and skin’s collagen response.

Here’s how professionals typically plan treatment for mild, moderate, and severe scarring.

Why the Number of Sessions Matters

Each acne-scar procedure—whether subcision, Fractional CO₂ laser, or Secret RF microneedling—stimulates collagen gradually.

Collagen remodelling takes time; spacing sessions allows your skin to recover and build new structure between treatments.

Typical Sessions by Scar Severity

The table below provides general guidance—actual numbers vary based on treatment type and your individual healing response.

Scar Severity	Common Scar Types	Recommended Modalities	Typical No. of Sessions*	Expected Timeline
Mild	Superficial rolling, shallow boxcar, early pigmentation	Secret RF Microneedling, light chemical peels, light fractional laser	3 – 4 sessions	3 – 6 months
Moderate	Rolling or mixed scars with tethering	Subcision ± filler, Fractional CO₂ laser, RF microneedling	4 – 6 sessions	6 – 9 months
Severe	Deep boxcar, ice-pick, multiple tethered scars	Combined subcision + laser, punch excision, collagen stimulators	6 – 8 sessions (staged)	9 – 12 months +

*Indicative averages based on clinical experience; individual results and plans vary.

Factors That Influence the Number of Sessions

Scar depth and type: Rolling and boxcar scars often need multiple collagen-stimulation rounds, while ice-pick scars may need punch or TCA CROSS before resurfacing.
Skin tone and healing: Darker skin types may require gentler energy settings and longer recovery intervals to prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
Combination therapy: Mixing modalities—e.g., subcision with Rejuran S—can reduce total sessions by stimulating deeper collagen more efficiently.
Lifestyle and aftercare: Sun protection, nutrition, and consistent skincare influence healing speed and collagen quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions are needed for subcision?

Most patients need 2 – 4 sessions of subcision spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Deeper tethering may require touch-ups or combination with filler for optimal lift.