Acne scars treatment in Korea usually means a course of fractional laser, RF microneedling or subcision that triggers new collagen to soften depressed scars, with the tool chosen to match rolling, boxcar or icepick scars. A session takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes including numbing cream. Recovery is usually redness for a few days or fine crusting for up to a week, so flying home the same day is generally possible. Improvement builds gradually over the months after each session, and most people need a series rather than one visit. Clinics price scar work per session or per treatment area, before VAT. This page compares clinics and shows current prices in one place.
Is it for you?
Who Acne treatment in Gangnam suits, and who should wait
When people look into acne scars in Korea, the first question is which scar type they have. Depressed scars, the pitted marks left after deep inflamed acne, are what these procedures are designed for. Rolling scars with soft edges, boxcar scars with sharp walls and narrow icepick scars each respond to a different mix of tools, and most faces have more than one type.
The treatment does not suit active, inflamed acne, which is usually controlled first. It also does little for flat red or brown marks left after spots heal, which are pigment or blood vessel changes rather than scars and respond to other treatments. Raised, thick scars follow a separate approach. Expect softening and smoother texture, not a return to untouched skin.
Usually a good fit
- Rolling, boxcar or icepick scars on the face
- Acne that has been controlled for several months
- Time for a series of sessions
- Realistic expectations of gradual, partial improvement
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active acne, infection or cold sores on the area
- Recent isotretinoin use without the doctor's approval
- Raised or keloid scars needing a different treatment
Clinics in Gangnam
10 clinics for Acne treatment in Gangnam
Every clinic below lists Acne treatment among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
1
2RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
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5Nine Dermatology Gangnam
6Ruby Dermatology Sinsa
7ADO Clinic
8REPIC Clinic Gangnam
9Dr. Newcell Clinic Gangnam
10How it works
How a Acne treatment session runs
All the main tools work by creating controlled injury beneath a scar so the skin rebuilds collagen and the pit becomes shallower. Fractional CO2 laser, an ablative laser at 10,600 nm, vaporizes tiny columns of skin. Microneedle RF, such as Potenza by Jeisys, pushes insulated needles to an adjustable depth of about 0.5 to 3.5 mm and releases radiofrequency heat in the dermis. PicoSure FOCUS uses a 755 nm picosecond laser with a lens array and was cleared by the FDA for acne scars in 2014. Subcision frees scars tethered to deeper tissue with a fine needle, and filler or a skin booster can lift shallow rolling scars.
The research base is smaller than most people expect. A 2016 Cochrane review by Abdel Hay and colleagues in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews included 24 trials with 789 adults and judged most comparisons to be very low-quality evidence, with fractional laser and fractional radiofrequency showing comparable improvement in one small trial. For skin that pigments easily, Wat and colleagues reviewed fractional resurfacing in Asian patients in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine in 2016 and stressed conservative settings to limit dark marks after treatment.
Clinics in Korea set the dose by scar depth, skin type and how much downtime you can accept, and they usually price by session, by area such as cheeks only or full face, or as a package combining two methods in one visit.
Assessment
The doctor examines the scars under angled light, sorts them by type and depth, checks for active acne and agrees on which methods to combine. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Numbing
The face is cleansed and a topical numbing cream is applied, usually for around 30 minutes, longer before deeper fractional laser or microneedle RF passes.
Treatment
The device is passed over each scarred zone, with extra passes or subcision on deeper scars. Treating the cheeks or full face usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.
Soothing
A cooling mask or calming cream is applied for 10 to 20 minutes, followed by aftercare instructions and sunscreen before you leave.
Acne treatment compared with other options
| Feature | Fractional CO2 laser | Microneedle RF | Picosecond laser with lens array |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Ablative laser | Radiofrequency through needles | Non-ablative picosecond laser |
| Depth | Surface and upper dermis in columns | Adjustable, about 0.5 to 3.5 mm | Mainly upper dermis |
| Main effect | Resurfacing and collagen remodeling | Dermal collagen remodeling | Texture and shallow scar softening |
| Sensation | Heat and stinging under numbing | Prickling and heat under numbing | Snapping, mild heat |
| Downtime | Fine crusting for several days to a week | Redness and pinpoint marks for a few days | Redness for hours to a few days |
At a glance
Acne treatment facts
| Main methods | Fractional CO2 laser, microneedle RF (for example Potenza by Jeisys), picosecond laser with lens array (PicoSure FOCUS by Cynosure), subcision |
|---|---|
| Energy type | Laser or radiofrequency, plus mechanical release for subcision |
| Depth | Microneedle RF adjustable from about 0.5 to 3.5 mm |
| Numbing | Topical numbing cream, usually around 30 minutes |
| Session length | About 30 to 60 minutes including numbing and soothing |
| Downtime | Redness for a few days; fine crusting up to about a week after fractional laser |
| Usual sessions | A series of several sessions spaced weeks apart |
| When results show | Gradually over the months after each session as collagen rebuilds |
| Earliest flight home | Generally the same day |
Prices
Acne treatment cost in Gangnam
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Acne treatment · 1 sessions
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $436–$1,091₩600,000–₩1,500,000 + VATCompare clinicsAcne Inflammation Injection 1 Spot
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $7₩10,000 + VATCompare clinicsKeloid scar injection (per cm)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $15₩20,000 + VATCompare clinicsAcne Inflammation Injection Full Face
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $36₩50,000 + VATCompare clinicsAcne / Scar / Pore Treatment (from)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $105From ₩145,000 + VATCompare clinicsLinear scar (per cm)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $145₩200,000 + VATCompare clinicsAgnes / PTT / MLA (full face)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $182₩250,000 + VATCompare clinicsFractional Laser (Potenza/Agnes/Ethosome/Pico Fraxel/CO2 Fraxel)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $218₩300,000 + VATCompare clinicsRecovery
What the days after look like
Redness, warmth and mild swelling, similar to sunburn. Pinpoint marks after microneedle RF. Gentle cleansing only.
Swelling settles. After fractional laser the skin feels rough and dark fine crusts form; makeup is usually avoided.
Crusts shed and pink new skin shows. Daily sunscreen matters most in this window to limit dark marks.
Redness fades and skin looks smoother as early collagen forms. The next session is planned once the skin has recovered.
Remodeling continues and scar depth reaches its improvement for that series.
Safety
Acne treatment risks and limits
- Redness, swelling and stinging for a few days are expected
- Fine crusting and temporary rough texture after fractional laser
- Dark marks after inflammation, more likely in skin that tans easily
- Acne flare, cold sore reactivation or, rarely, infection
- Rarely, prolonged redness, lighter patches or new scarring
- Deep icepick scars may improve only partly even after a full series
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Interventions for acne scarsCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2016 · Abdel Hay R, Shalaby K, Zaher H, Hafez V, Chi C, Dimitri S, et al. · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd011946.pub2
A Cochrane review of 24 trials with 789 adults that rated most acne scar treatment comparisons as very low-quality evidence and called for larger, better designed trials.
- Assessment of treatment efficacy and sebosuppressive effect of fractional radiofrequency microneedle on acne vulgarisLasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2013 · Lee K, Lee E, Lee H, Yoon M · doi:10.1002/lsm.22200
A prospective study of 20 Korean patients in which one fractional RF microneedle session reduced sebum output for up to 8 weeks, while lesion improvement peaked at week 2 and faded in most patients.
- Fractional resurfacing in the Asian patient: Current state of the artLasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2016 · Wat H, Wu D, Chan H · doi:10.1002/lsm.22579
A review of ablative and non-ablative fractional devices studied in Asian patients, outlining strategies to improve results and lower pigment-related complications.
FAQ
Questions about Acne treatment in Gangnam
How many sessions does acne scars treatment in South Korea take?
Most people need a series of several sessions rather than one, because each session improves scars only partly. Sessions are usually spaced several weeks apart so collagen has time to form between them. Shallow rolling scars may soften within a few sessions, while deep boxcar or icepick scars often need more and sometimes a combination of methods. Plan either a long stay or repeat trips, and ask the doctor for a written session plan.
Is acne scar laser treatment in Korea suitable for darker or tan-prone skin?
It can be, but settings need to be more conservative for skin that tans or pigments easily. Wat and colleagues, reviewing fractional resurfacing in Asian patients in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine in 2016, described lower density and careful spacing to limit dark marks. Some doctors prefer microneedle RF for this skin type because it leaves the surface more intact. Strict sunscreen use before and after sessions also lowers the risk.
Can Korea acne scar removal make scars disappear completely?
No, current treatments soften and shallow depressed scars rather than erasing them. Results vary from person to person, and most people see partial improvement in depth and texture after a full series. The 2016 Cochrane review by Abdel Hay and colleagues found the trial evidence mostly very low quality, so realistic expectations matter. Deep icepick scars are the hardest to change and may need methods such as punch techniques or subcision.
Does acne scar treatment hurt?
It is uncomfortable but usually manageable with numbing cream, which is applied for around 30 minutes first. Fractional laser feels like heat and stinging, while microneedle RF feels like prickling and warmth. Subcision is done under local anesthetic injection in the treated spot. Discomfort usually eases within an hour or two afterward. Tell the doctor during the session if it becomes too intense so settings can be changed.
Can I fly home right after a scar session?
Yes, flying home the same day is generally possible after acne scar procedures. Skin will be red and may feel tight or warm, and fractional laser can leave fine crusts that last up to about a week. Keep the skin moisturized on the plane and avoid touching or scrubbing it. If photos or events are planned soon after landing, schedule the session about a week before departure.
Do I need to clear active acne before treating scars?
Yes, active inflamed acne is usually controlled before scar treatment starts. Heat and needling over inflamed spots can spread infection and cause new marks. Lee and colleagues, writing in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine in 2013, found one fractional RF microneedle session lowered sebum in 20 Korean patients with active acne, but lesion improvement faded within weeks. A doctor will often treat the acne medically for several months first.
Can filler or skin boosters help acne scars?
Filler and some skin boosters can lift shallow rolling scars, but they do not resurface the skin. Hyaluronic acid filler adds volume under a depressed area, and the effect fades as the product breaks down. The 2016 Cochrane review reported moderate-quality evidence that injectable filler improved scars over placebo in one trial. These are often combined with laser or microneedle RF in a staged plan rather than used alone.
How do VAT and package quotes work for scar treatment?
Clinics list scar treatment prices before VAT, and 10% VAT is added at payment. Quotes may cover a single session, one area such as the cheeks, the full face, or a package that combines two methods. Ask whether numbing, soothing masks and aftercare products are included, and whether a package must be used within a set time. The price table on this page shows current listed prices.
When will I see results from acne scar treatment?
Early smoothing can show within a few weeks once redness fades, but the main change appears over months. Collagen keeps remodeling for several months after each session, so scars look shallower in stages. Photos taken under the same light before each visit make progress easier to judge. Expect gradual, partial improvement, and review the plan with the doctor after two or three sessions.