Acne scars in Incheon, can depressed scars fill back in?
Depressed acne scars rarely fill in with time or skincare alone. The first step is to sort out the shape of each scar, ice pick, boxcar or rolling, and how deep it is, because that decides the order of treatment. At Hoo Korean Medicine Clinic Incheon, Saesal acupuncture (Transtherapy) helps depressed scars fill in, and Dual Therapy smooths the red marks and rough texture around them.
Acne scars at a glance
| Also called | Depressed scars, atrophic scars, pitted scars |
|---|---|
| Shapes | Ice pick (narrow and deep), boxcar (sharp edges, flat floor), rolling (soft, wave-like), chickenpox scars |
| Where they form | Cheeks, temples, forehead, jawline |
| Scar or mark? | A scar is a difference in height, not colour. Light from the side casts a shadow. |
| Why they form | Deep inflammation, squeezing, long-lasting nodules, acne returning to the same spot |
| When to start | After new acne has mostly settled |
| Worth checking | Whether you have ever had raised scars (keloids), and any acne medicine you take |
Why do acne scars form?
When acne inflammation goes deeper than the surface layer, the tissue that supports the skin is damaged. If the area does not fill in fully as it heals, or its floor is pulled downward, a depressed scar is left.
- Deep, long-lasting inflammation. Hard nodules and cysts full of pus leave scars most easily.
- Squeezing or picking. Forcing out an unripe pimple spreads inflammation sideways and down. Many of the scars we see match where people squeezed at home.
- Acne in the same place again and again. Damage builds up with no time to recover, which is why repeated acne should be controlled before scar treatment.
- Chickenpox or injuries. Scratched chickenpox spots or deep wounds can leave round, depressed scars.
Types of acne scars
| Shape | What it looks like · Treatment direction |
|---|---|
| Ice pick | Narrow opening, deep hole, larger and clearer than a pore · Treated one by one with Saesal acupuncture so the deep floor fills in |
| Boxcar | Sharp edges and a flat floor, common on cheeks and temples · Treat the depression and its edges together |
| Rolling | Blurred edges, wave-like dips that look shallower when stretched · Release the floor that is pulled down |
| Chickenpox | Round with clear edges, common on the forehead and around the nose · Saesal acupuncture, same principle as depressed scars |
| Raised scar | Red or firm and raised (hypertrophic scar, keloid) · Treated differently. We recommend seeing a dermatologist first. |
How our approach fits with other scar treatments
Fractional lasers, fillers and injections are all used for acne scars, and the right method depends on the scar. Scars with a large loss of volume may be hard to fill with needles or lasers alone, and we will tell you so honestly at the consultation. Raised scars (keloids) need a different treatment, starting with injections at a dermatology clinic, so in that case we will refer you.
- Depressed scars: Saesal acupuncture (Transtherapy) stimulates each scar so the skin fills itself in.
- Rough texture and shallow scars over a wide area: pico fractional laser is considered alongside it.
- Red marks and uneven texture around the scars: Dual Therapy (M-Tone and Hooyun herbal peel).
- Acne that is still active: treated first, so new scars don't keep forming.
If you have had laser treatment elsewhere, you can still consult us. Please tell us when and what kind of treatment you had.
What to expect
| Right after | Redness or small scabs can appear at the needle points. We explain aftercare based on your skin that day. |
|---|---|
| As sessions add up | Depressed areas gradually become shallower, with less shadow under light and less makeup settling into them. |
| Final stage | Remaining red marks and texture are smoothed, and new acne is kept from making new scars. |
Scar treatment is done gradually over several sessions. Results differ with scar shape, depth and skin condition.
During scar treatment, please
- Don't squeeze new pimples. A new scar during treatment sets you back.
- Use sunscreen every day. Treated skin darkens easily in the sun.
- Don't rub the treated area. Let scabs fall off on their own.
- Avoid saunas and alcohol right after treatment. Heat can make redness last longer.
- Pause scrubs and exfoliants while the skin recovers.
- Take photos under the same light. Change is slow, so photos show it best.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q.Do acne scars fill in by themselves over time?
Depressed scars rarely fill in by themselves. Red or brown marks fade with time, but the difference in height usually stays.
Q.What is Saesal acupuncture?
A scar treatment in which a fine needle stimulates each depressed scar so the skin can fill itself in. At Hoo clinics it is called Transtherapy.
Q.Is laser or Saesal acupuncture better for acne scars?
It depends on the shape and depth. A laser such as pico fractional can suit rough texture and shallow scars over a wide area, while individual depressed scars are treated with Saesal acupuncture. The two are often planned together.
Q.When can I go back to normal life after treatment?
Redness and small scabs can appear at the needle points. If you have an important event, tell us the date at your consultation so we can plan around it. Recovery depends on scar depth and the size of the treated area.
Q.Can I start scar treatment while I still have acne?
If there is a lot of new inflammation, calming the acne comes first, because new inflammation keeps adding new scars.
Q.Can chickenpox scars be treated?
Chickenpox scars are also depressed scars, so they can be treated with Saesal acupuncture. We have treated chickenpox scars at our clinic and will tell you what is realistic after an examination.
Q.How much does acne scar treatment cost?
As of October 2026, Saesal acupuncture alone is 50,000 KRW per scar. Wider scarring is treated with a combined package over at least three months, and we explain the plan and total cost after an examination.
References
- Acne scars: Signs and symptoms · American Academy of Dermatology
- Acne scars: Consultation and treatment · American Academy of Dermatology
- Acne scarring · DermNet
- 1064-nm picosecond laser with fractional micro-lens array vs. ablative fractional Er:YAG laser for atrophic acne scars in Asians · Frontiers in Medicine 10, 2023
CONTACT
Looking for acne scar treatment in Incheon?
Hoo Korean Medicine Clinic Incheon is in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, near Exit 2 of Incheon Bus Terminal Station. The doctor looks at the shape and depth of your scars and explains the order and number of sessions.
01 ADDRESS
4 Inha-ro 489beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon
Manhattan Bldg 3F · Incheon Bus Terminal Station (Incheon Line 1), Exit 2
Across the street from Lotte Department Store Incheon, in the ABC-MART building to the right of NC New Core Outlet.
02 HOURS
03 PARKING
The mechanical lot cannot take large cars, most imported cars or EVs. Use the public lot instead.
Consultations are held in Korean. Before you come, please take a selfie of the area you want treated and show it to the doctor at your visit. We will go through everything with a translation app.