Acne scars can stick around long after breakouts stop.
For a lot of men, that can be frustrating. You may have your acne mostly under control, but the leftover texture, pitting, or unevenness can still make your skin look rougher than you want it to. Acne scars can show up in photos, under harsh bathroom lighting, during video calls, or every time you shave.
The good news is that you do not need surgery to improve the appearance of acne scarring. Today, some of the best acne scar treatments work by stimulating your body’s own collagen production, helping the skin look smoother, firmer, and more even over time.
At Flycatcher, the two primary treatments we use for men’s acne scarring are SkinPen microneedling and Morpheus8 radiofrequency (RF) microneedling. Laser resurfacing can also be an option for certain types of scarring, depending on your skin, goals, and downtime tolerance.
What type of acne scars do you have?
Before choosing a treatment, it helps to understand what kind of acne scarring you are dealing with. Not all acne scars are the same, and different scar types respond better to different approaches.
Most acne scars fall into two broad categories: depressed scars and raised scars. Depressed scars, also called atrophic scars, are more common with acne and are often classified as ice pick, boxcar, or rolling scars. Raised scars include hypertrophic and keloid scars, which form when the skin produces too much collagen during the healing process.
Ice pick scars
Ice pick scars are narrow, deep scars that look like tiny holes or punctures in the skin. They are often more difficult to treat because they extend deeper into the skin than more shallow textural scars.
Boxcar scars
Boxcar scars are wider depressions with more defined edges. They can make the skin look pitted or uneven, especially on the cheeks and jawline.
Rolling scars
Rolling scars create a wave-like or uneven texture across the skin. Instead of sharp edges, they tend to have softer, sloping borders that make the skin surface look irregular.
Raised scars: hypertrophic and keloid scars
Raised acne scars are different from depressed scars. Instead of a loss of tissue, they happen when excess scar tissue forms. These are more common on areas like the chest, shoulders, and back, though they can also occur on the face.
Because raised scars behave differently than depressed scars, they may need a different treatment plan.
Post-acne marks vs. true acne scars
One more distinction matters: not every mark left behind after acne is a true scar.
Red, purple, or brown marks after a breakout are often post-inflammatory discoloration. These marks can be stubborn, but they are different from textural scars. True acne scars change the surface of the skin. They may look indented, raised, pitted, or uneven.
That difference matters because discoloration and texture usually need different treatment strategies.
Why acne scars can affect men differently
Acne scarring is not just a skin issue. It can affect how you feel when you walk into a meeting, go on a date, take a photo, or look in the mirror.
Research has found that acne scarring can negatively affect quality of life, self-esteem, body image, and social confidence. One study found that people with facial acne scars were less likely to be perceived as confident, attractive, healthy, happy, and successful compared with people shown with clear skin.
For men, acne scars can be especially hard to ignore because many men do not use makeup or concealer to cover skin texture. Facial hair can hide some scars, but it can also draw attention to uneven texture along the cheeks, jawline, and neck. Shaving can make pitted areas more visible, and stubble can interfere with certain treatments, which is why Flycatcher recommends shaving before SkinPen or Morpheus8 treatments.
Acne scars also are not limited to the face. Men commonly deal with acne and acne scarring on the chest, shoulders, and back. That can affect confidence at the gym, at the pool, or anytime your shirt comes off.
The goal of treatment is not to make you look like someone else. It is to improve your skin texture so you feel more comfortable in your own skin.
What is the best non-surgical treatment for acne scars?
There is no single best acne scar treatment for every man.
The right treatment depends on several factors, including:
- The type of acne scars you have
- How deep the scars are
- Whether you still have active acne
- Your skin tone
- Your tolerance for downtime
- Your budget
- Whether you want gradual improvement or a more aggressive treatment plan
The American Academy of Dermatology lists several treatment options for acne scars, including microneedling, laser treatment, radiofrequency, chemical peels, fillers, and other dermatologist-guided procedures. Microneedling and RF microneedling both work by encouraging new collagen and elastin, which can make depressed acne scars less noticeable over time.
At Flycatcher, the two main options for acne scarring are SkinPen microneedling and Morpheus8 RF microneedling.
SkinPen microneedling for acne scars
SkinPen microneedling is a collagen-stimulating treatment that uses small, controlled micro-injuries to trigger the skin’s natural repair process.
The treatment creates tiny channels in the skin. As your body heals, it produces new collagen and elastin. Over time, that collagen can help smooth the look of pitted scars, rough texture, and uneven skin.
The FDA has legally authorized microneedling devices to improve the appearance of facial acne scars, facial wrinkles, and abdominal scars in patients age 22 and older.
Best for
SkinPen is often a strong option for men with mild to moderate acne scarring, rough texture, enlarged-looking pores, and early textural changes.
It can be a good starting point if you want treatment that improves skin gradually without using heat.
Downtime
Downtime with SkinPen is usually manageable. Many men experience redness, tightness, dryness, peeling, or sensitivity after treatment. The FDA lists common microneedling side effects such as redness, itching, peeling, tightness, bruising, bleeding, and discomfort, though many effects are temporary.
At Flycatcher, numbing is required before microneedling, and a typical appointment takes about 60 minutes including numbing time.
How many sessions do acne scars need?
Acne scars usually need a series of treatments. Flycatcher recommends starting with four SkinPen sessions spaced three to four weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments for long-term results.
Why men like it
SkinPen is appealing because the results are gradual and natural-looking. You are not changing the structure of your face or adding volume. You are improving skin quality by encouraging your body to remodel collagen.
For men who want a straightforward way to improve acne scarring without surgery, SkinPen is often a smart place to start.
Morpheus8 RF microneedling for deeper acne scars
Morpheus8 takes microneedling a step further by combining microneedling with radiofrequency energy.
Like traditional microneedling, Morpheus8 creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin. But it also delivers RF energy beneath the surface, adding heat to stimulate deeper collagen remodeling. It's a more aggressive approach compared to SkinPen.
Best for
Morpheus8 may be a better fit for men with moderate to deeper acne scars, more stubborn texture, or skin that would benefit from a stronger remodeling treatment.
It can also be a good option for men who want to address both acne scarring and overall firmness or skin quality.
Downtime
Because Morpheus8 uses RF energy, it can feel more intense than SkinPen and may involve more noticeable downtime for some patients. Redness, swelling, tenderness, roughness, and sensitivity can happen after treatment.
At Flycatcher, numbing is required before RF microneedling, and a typical Morpheus8 session takes about 75 to 90 minutes including numbing time.
How many sessions do acne scars need?
Flycatcher recommends a series of three Morpheus8 treatments spaced four weeks apart, followed by maintenance treatments once or twice per year depending on your skin and goals.
A note on safety
RF microneedling is a powerful treatment, so provider experience matters.
The FDA has issued safety information around RF microneedling and has reported potential complications with certain uses, including burns, scarring, fat loss, disfigurement, and nerve damage. That does not mean RF microneedling is unsafe for everyone, but it does mean the treatment should be done by qualified, trained providers using appropriate settings and protocols.
In other words, Morpheus8 is not the kind of treatment to shop for based only on price. Your consultation, provider skill, device quality, and treatment plan matter.
Before/After photos provided by InMode.
Laser resurfacing for acne scars
Laser resurfacing is another non-surgical option for acne scars, especially when the goal is to improve skin texture and surface irregularity.
Laser treatments work by using focused energy to resurface the skin or stimulate collagen production. As the skin heals, new collagen and elastin can help soften the appearance of acne scars.
Ablative vs. non-ablative lasers
Laser resurfacing generally falls into two categories: ablative and non-ablative.
Ablative lasers remove outer layers of skin and are usually more aggressive. They may create more dramatic resurfacing, but they also tend to involve more downtime.
Non-ablative lasers work below the surface without removing the top layer of skin. They usually involve less downtime, but they may require more sessions to achieve visible improvement.
When laser resurfacing may be a fit
Laser resurfacing may be a good option for men with more significant surface texture concerns, certain types of depressed scars, or scars that have not responded enough to other collagen-stimulating treatments.
However, it is not automatically better than microneedling or RF microneedling. The best treatment depends on scar type, skin tone, downtime, and risk tolerance.
When SkinPen or Morpheus8 may be preferred
SkinPen or Morpheus8 may be preferred if you want a non-surgical collagen-stimulating treatment with a series-based plan, especially if you are looking for gradual texture improvement rather than a more aggressive resurfacing procedure.
Microneedling is also considered safe for all skin tones.
Acne scar treatment cost: what should men expect?
Cost depends on the type of treatment, the number of sessions needed, the size of the treatment area, and the provider’s experience.
At Flycatcher, pricing for acne scarring treatments includes:
| Treatment | Best for | Published pricing |
|---|---|---|
| SkinPen microneedling, full face | Mild to moderate acne scars, rough texture | $459/session or $1,559/package of 4 |
| Morpheus8 RF microneedling, full face | Deeper scars, stronger collagen remodeling | $900/session or $2,300/package of 3 |
Laser resurfacing costs vary widely depending on the device, treatment depth, provider, and location. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists the average cost of laser skin resurfacing at $1,829.
When comparing costs, it is important to compare full treatment plans, not just single-session pricing. Acne scars usually require a series of treatments, and deeper scars may need a more aggressive or combination-based plan.
SkinPen vs. Morpheus8: which is better for acne scars?
Both SkinPen and Morpheus8 can help improve the appearance of acne scarring, but they are not identical treatments.
SkinPen is a strong option for men who want collagen stimulation without RF heat. It is often a good fit for mild to moderate scars, rough texture, and men who want a more approachable starting point.
Morpheus8 is typically the more intensive option. Because it combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy, it may be better suited for deeper scars, more stubborn texture, and men who want a stronger remodeling treatment.
Here is the simple comparison:
| Question | SkinPen microneedling | Morpheus8 RF microneedling |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Mild to moderate scars, texture, pores | Deeper scars, stubborn texture, firmness |
| Uses RF heat? | No | Yes |
| Typical Flycatcher series | 4 sessions | 3 sessions |
| Appointment time | About 60 minutes including numbing | About 75–90 minutes including numbing |
| Pricing | From $459/session | From $900/session |
| Best fit | Men who want gradual collagen stimulation | Men who want a stronger, more aggressive treatment |
The best way to choose is to have your scars evaluated in person. Many men have more than one type of acne scar, which means the right treatment plan may not be obvious from photos alone.
What results can you realistically expect?
Acne scar treatment is about improvement, not perfection.
That is important to understand upfront. Acne scars are structural changes in the skin. Non-surgical treatments can make them look smoother, shallower, and less noticeable, but they usually do not erase every scar completely.
Results build gradually
Microneedling and RF microneedling work by stimulating collagen, and collagen takes time to build. You may notice some early improvement in skin texture, but the bigger changes usually develop over weeks and months as your skin remodels.
Multiple sessions are usually needed
One treatment can help, but acne scars usually need a series. That is why Flycatcher recommends four SkinPen treatments or three Morpheus8 treatments as starting protocols for acne scarring.
Active acne matters too
If you are still breaking out, it is important to address active acne as part of your plan. Treating scars while new breakouts continue to create new marks can feel like running in place.
The best approach is usually two-part: control active acne, then remodel the scars that remain.
When should you schedule a consultation?
You should consider a consultation if acne scars are affecting your confidence, if your skin texture has not improved with at-home products, or if you are unsure whether SkinPen, Morpheus8, or laser resurfacing makes the most sense for your skin.
A consultation helps determine:
- What type of acne scars you have
- Whether your scars are mild, moderate, or deep
- Whether you still have active acne
- Whether facial hair or shaving affects your treatment plan
- How much downtime you can tolerate
- Which treatment offers the best balance of results, cost, and recovery
Ready to stop letting acne scars define your skin? Schedule a consultation at Flycatcher to determine which treatment is right for you. Schedule your complimentary consultation online or call or text our office at (737) 239-0112.
Flycatcher is located on W. Highway 71 at Bee Creek Rd just three miles west of The Hill Country Galleria.
