Key Summary
Compiled 3,491 reviews of acne scars and marks treatment by Gangnam Unni and Babitalk. Among the 1,543 reviews using the type of marks, 701 were depressed scars and 415 were red marks, and the procedures in the reviews were different.
- Depressed scars reviews (701 cases) included 277 cases of microneedling, 191 cases of Juvelook, 61 cases of Potenza, 44 cases of fractional laser, and 41 cases of subcision.
- Among the red marks reviews (415), there were 133 reviews for Excel V, 107 reviews for V-Beam, 84 reviews for other lasers, and 59 reviews for toning.
- The percentage of good effect was 91% (443 cases) for depressed scars, 83% (235 cases) for red marks, and 80% (81 cases) for hyperpigmentation.
Of the 1,787 reviews about its effectiveness, 88% said it was good. However, 97% of the reviews were written within one month after the procedure, so the results after time have passed cannot be determined from the reviews.
What is the difference between depressed acne scars and red marks?
Depressed scars are sunken marks on the skin, and red marks are the redness left behind after acne has subsided, so the treatment in the review was also different. This is the distribution of 1,543 types of marks written by the author in the review.
| Types of marks written in reviews | Number of reviews | ratio |
|---|---|---|
| depressed scars (including ice pick, box type, rolling type) | 701 cases | 45% |
| red marks | 415 cases | 27% |
| Mix of types | 289 cases | 19% |
| brown hyperpigmentation | 135 cases | 9% |
| Protruding scar | 3 cases | 0.2% |
Depressed scars Among the comments about the effect, 332 wrote that the dent had improved, and 11 wrote that it was almost the same. In the red marks reviews, there were 177 posts that said the redness had become lighter.
What treatments were most popular depending on the type of mark?
Microneedling and Juvelook were the most popular for depressed scars, Excel V and V-Beam were the most popular for red marks, and toning was the most popular for hyperpigmentation. If there are multiple treatments in one review, each is counted.
| Mark type | Most reviewed procedures |
|---|---|
| depressed scars (701 cases) | microneedling 277 cases, Juvelook 191 cases, Potenza 61 cases, fractional laser 44 cases, subcision 41 cases, pico fractional laser 39 cases |
| red marks (415) | Excel V 133 cases, V-beam 107 cases, other laser 84 cases, toning 59 cases |
| hyperpigmentation (135 cases) | Toning 62 cases, other laser 42 cases, Excel V 22 cases |
| Mix of types (289 cases) | Other laser 78 cases, toning 55 cases, Juvelook 42 cases, Excel V 32 cases, Potenza 29 cases |
The number of cases for each procedure is a compilation of reviews using search terms, so it is different from the actual rate of treatment use.
What effects did reviewers report for each acne scar treatment?
Of the 1,787 reviews on the effect, 88% said it was good, and by treatment, the range was 70% to 98%. 8% said it was average, and 5% said it was ineffective.
| Treatment | Reviews with effects | It was good | It was ineffective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin booster (Rejuran, etc.) | 94 cases | 98% | 0% |
| microneedling | 317 cases | 93% | 2% |
| fractional laser | 164 cases | 93% | 4% |
| Juvelook | 243 cases | 92% | 2% |
| V Beam | 79 cases | 89% | 6% |
| Potenza | 167 cases | 83% | 6% |
| Excel V | 150 cases | 77% | 7% |
| picofractional laser | 86 cases | 72% | 10% |
| Toning | 140 cases | 70% | 11% |
Looking at the red marks reviews, the proportion of those who said they were good was 88% (58) for V-beam, 94% (63) for other lasers, 77% (31) for toning, and 72% (64) for Excel V. Looking at the depressed scars reviews, Juvelook was 96% (109), microneedling was 92% (191), fractional laser was 92% (26), and Potenza was 83% (23).
How many acne scar treatments are commonly reported?
The average of 1,273 reviews was 2.8 sessions, and the rate of good reviews was higher in reviews with two or more reviews than with one review.
| Number of times received | Number of reviews | Proportion that the effect was good |
|---|---|---|
| 1 session | 335 cases | 79% |
| 2 to 3 sessions | 256 cases | 91% |
| 4 to 6 sessions | 151 cases | 91% |
| 7 or more sessions | 73 cases | 95% |
The average number of treatments per procedure is microneedling 4.0 times (214 cases), toning 3.8 times (98 cases), pico fractional laser 3.0 times (78 cases), V-beam 2.7 times (47 cases), fractional laser 2.5 times (105 cases), Excel V 2.4 times (104 cases), Juvelook 2.4 times (201 cases), Potenza It was 2.2 times (181 cases). Positive-effect rates were higher in reviews covering more sessions, but it is impossible to tell from the reviews alone whether the difference is due to the number of reviews. There were 2,564 reviews of one treatment performed, with 86% saying it was good, 753 reviews of two treatments, 89%, and 103 reviews of three or more treatments, 97%.
How painful are acne scar treatments?
Potenza had the most reviews saying it was quite painful (40%), while microneedling had the least at 4%. This is based on reviews based on the level of pain.
| Treatment | Number of reviews | It almost didn't hurt | It was bearable | It was quite painful |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potenza | 186 cases | 24% | 36% | 40% |
| fractional laser | 85 cases | 35% | 38% | 27% |
| Juvelook | 200 cases | 40% | 38% | 23% |
| picofractional laser | 65 cases | 45% | 43% | 12% |
| Excel V | 60 cases | 48% | 40% | 12% |
| microneedling | 159 cases | 51% | 45% | 4% |
Anesthesia was mostly topical anesthetic cream (268 cases), sedation (21 cases), and local anesthesia (14 cases).
How long can redness and scabbing last after acne scar treatment?
The average time for redness to subside was 2.1 days for Potenza, 2.8 days for fractional laser, 3.8 days for Juvelook, and 4.7 days for microneedling. Only procedures with more than 20 reviews were listed.
| Treatment | redness average | Number of reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Potenza | 2.1 day | 25 cases |
| fractional laser | 2.8 days | 23 cases |
| Juvelook | 3.8 days | 22 cases |
| microneedling | 4.7 days | 31 cases |
There were 19 reviews that said that fractional laser took an average of 7.0 days for scabs to fall off.
What inconveniences were reported after acne scar treatment?
Of the 3,491 reviews, the most common complaints were pain (144) (4.1%) and redness (113) (3.2%).
| Reported inconvenience | Number of reviews | ratio |
|---|---|---|
| pain | 144 cases | 4.1% |
| redness | 113 cases | 3.2% |
| bruise | 46 cases | 1.3% |
| Acne comes up | 37 cases | 1.1% |
| swelling | 35 cases | 1.0% |
| cost burden | 33 cases | 0.9% |
| Rather, it gets worse | 17 cases | 0.5% |
| Hyperpigmentation after procedure | 8 cases | 0.2% |
There were 78 (2.2%) reviews that said they regretted it or did not recommend it.
How much does acne scar treatment cost?
The average price per treatment written in reviews of only one procedure was about 211,000 won for Potenza, about 175,000 won for Juvelook, about 153,000 won for microneedling, about 116,000 won for fractional laser, about 100,000 won for Excel V, and about 90,000 won for pico fractional laser.
| Treatment | Number of reviews | Average price per time written in reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Potenza | 170 cases | Approximately 211,000 won |
| Juvelook | 110 cases | Approximately 175,000 won |
| microneedling | 140 cases | Approximately 153,000 won |
| fractional laser | 75 cases | Approximately 116,000 won |
| Excel V | 112 cases | Approximately 100,000 won |
| picofractional laser | 147 cases | Approximately 90,000 won |
The review amount is not the clinic's official regular price, but the payment amount written on the platform, and the event price, VAT notation, and included management vary by clinic.
How did studies compare acne scar treatments?
In a 2026 analysis of 56 randomized trials for depressed scars, cases of combined treatment were more likely to rank higher than those performed alone. This is an analysis comparing 1,488 people and 34 treatments.
- Analysis of 56 trials for depressed scars (2026): CO2 laser and subcision, and CO2 laser and PRP combined were the highest in scar scores and patient satisfaction. Most studies compared half of the face.
- CO2 Laser vs. Needling, Analysis of 17 studies (2026): It was ineffective difference in scar score reduction, and the treatment success rate was higher with CO2 laser. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation was 3.04 times higher with CO2 laser than with regular microneedling.
- Microneedling analysis of 12 studies and 414 people (2022): Microneedling without radiofrequency was ahead in objective indicators, and no secondary scars or infections were reported.
- red marks case (2025): When comparing half faces of a 23-year-old woman, the redness of tranexamic acid injection and pulse dye laser was reduced by 17.8% and 16%, respectively, on the 14th day. This was a single case, so the level of evidence is low.
What should I ask during an acne scar consultation?
First, check whether your marks are depressed scars, red marks, or hyperpigmentation. This is because the treatments shown in the reviews were different for each type.
| What to check | Questions to Ask |
|---|---|
| Mark type | Which is more common: depressed scars, red marks, or hyperpigmentation? |
| Treatment | What procedures do you have, how many times, and why? |
| Anesthesia and Pain | Is it numbing cream or sedation? How much does it hurt? |
| redness and scab | How many days will my redness last and when can I start wearing makeup? |
| hyperpigmentation | What should I do if hyperpigmentation occurs after the procedure? |
| price | Is it a one-time amount or a total package amount? Is VAT included? |
| Treating clinician | Will the doctor I consult perform the procedure? |
How DermaFocus compares clinics offering acne scar treatment
The recommendation guide applies the same four criteria to all clinics.
| Comparison Items | Verification criteria |
|---|---|
| Treatment information | Description of treatment by type, frequency and interval, and whether information is disclosed in case of side effects |
| medical staff | Specialist status and the actual treating clinician, verified through official sources |
| cost | Confirmation date, VAT, price conditions, whether anesthesia is included |
| Reviews | Repeated mentions by platform, including source, posting date, consultation and explanation |
Review counts and specialist credentials are not scores and do not guarantee treatment outcomes. The role of a recommendation guide is to display confirmed facts side by side using the same standards.
How this article was checked
The DermaFocus editorial team organized the reviews and research papers, and they were not supervised by medical professionals.
- Reviews: Among the reviews by Gangnam Unni and Babitalk, we classified 4,950 (as of October 2, 2026) that mentioned scars, marks, and acne. Among them, 3,491 reviews of acne scars and marks treatment are the subject of this article.
- Analysis criteria: The type distribution is based on 1,543 reviews that identified the mark type, the effect ratio is based on 1,787 cases using the effect, and pain and price results use the reviews that reported those measures.
- Study: The evidence set includes four PubMed-indexed acne scar studies. There is one analysis of 56 randomized trials, one analysis of 17 trials, one analysis of 12 trials, and one case study. I only checked the abstract.
- Limitations: 97% of reviews were written within 1 month after the procedure. Reviews are collected by procedure name and scar search term, so the number of cases for each procedure is not the percentage of use, but the composition of the collected reviews. There are also few reviews that mention age.
- Personal Information: The original text of the review, the author, and the name of the clinic are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are depressed acne scars different from red acne marks?
Depressed scars are sunken marks on the skin, and red marks are the redness left behind after acne subsides. In the reviews, depressed scars included 277 cases of microneedling, 191 cases of Juvelook, and 61 cases of Potenza, and red marks included 133 cases of Excel V and 107 cases of V-Beam. The rate of good effect was 91% for depressed scars and 83% for red marks.
What treatments are most commonly used for acne scars?
Of the 3,491 reviews, 533 were for Juvelook, 496 for microneedling, 453 for Potenza, 339 for toning, and 282 for fractional laser. The number of cases for each procedure is composed of reviews collected by search words, so it is not the actual usage rate.
What treatments are used for acne red marks?
Of the 415 red mark reviews, 133 were for Excel V, 107 for V-Beam, 84 for other lasers, and 59 for toning. The positive-effect rate was 88% for V-beam, 72% for Excel V, and 77% for toning.
How many acne scar treatments are commonly reported?
The average number of sessions reported was 2.8. Positive effects were reported in 79% of one-session reviews, 91% of two-to-three-session reviews, and 95% of reviews covering seven or more sessions.
Do acne scar treatments hurt?
Each procedure was different. Potenza was quite painful in 40% of cases, fractional laser in 27%, Juvelook in 23%, and microneedling in 4%. Topical anesthetic cream was the most frequently mentioned anesthesia method, in 268 reviews.
How long does redness last after acne scar treatment?
Redness subsided in an average of 2.1 days for Potenza, 2.8 days for fractional laser, 3.8 days for Juvelook, and 4.7 days for microneedling. There are 19 reviews of fractional laser saying that scabs fell off after an average of 7.0 days.
How much does acne scar treatment cost?
The average price per treatment written in reviews of only one treatment was about 211,000 won for Potenza, about 175,000 won for Juvelook, and about 153,000 won for microneedling. Please check the event and value-added tax conditions together as this is a review price, not the clinic's regular price.
Can hyperpigmentation occur after acne scar treatment?
There were 8 reviews out of 3,491 (0.2%) that hyperpigmentation occurred after the procedure. In the study, CO2 laser resulted in 3.04 times more post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation than standard microneedling.
Can a single treatment be enough for acne scars?
Among the reviews, there were 2,564 reviews where only one thing was received, and 86% reported a positive effect. Two treatments were 89% (753 cases), and three or more treatments were 97% (103 cases). In the 2026 analysis, many cases of receiving treatments together such as CO2 laser and subcision, or CO2 laser and PRP were ranked high.
Which procedures were most often recommended in acne scar reviews?
Based on reviews, the most recommended procedures are Juvelook and microneedling for depressed scars, and V-beam for red marks. This is the result of looking at the number of reviews and the percentage of positive reviews.
- Depressed scars are Juvelook and microneedling. The rate of good reviews is high at 96% (109) for Juvelook and 92% (191) for microneedling, and there are more than 100 reviews. Juvelook had 23% of reviews saying it was quite painful, and microneedling had 4%, so if you look at the pain level, microneedling is less burdensome.
- red marks are V-Beam. The share reporting a positive effect was 88% (58 reviews) for V-Beam, 77% (31 reviews) for Toning, and 72% (64 reviews) for Excel V. Laser reviews that did not mention the type of treatment were 94% (63 cases).
- In the hyperpigmentation reviews (135), toning was the most popular with 62, and out of the 81 cases that used the effect, 80% reported a positive effect. There are many cases where red marks and hyperpigmentation are mixed, so it is important to distinguish between the types first.
Although 88% of the reviews that wrote about the effect said it was good, most of them were written immediately after the procedure, and this ranking is based on reviews and not medical superiority or inferiority. During the consultation, ask what type of mark you have, how many treatments you will receive, how many days the redness and scabs last, and what to do if hyperpigmentation occurs.
Sources and verification dates
- 2026 Aesthetic Plast Surg. Network meta-analysis of laser, microneedling, and concurrent treatment for moderate to severe atrophic acne scars (PMID 42429955)(confirmed 2026-10-02): 56 randomized trials, 1,488 people, 34 treatments, top concurrent treatment
- 2026 Lasers Med Sci. Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing fractional CO2 laser and needling (PMID 42334669)(confirmed 2026-10-02): 17 articles, treatment success rate RR 1.10, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation RR 3.04
- 2022 Aesthetic Plast Surg. Meta-analysis of microneedling alone for acne scars (PMID 35426044)(confirmed 2026-10-02): 12 randomized trials, 414 patients
- 2025 Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. Comparison of tranexamic acid injection and pulsed laser for red marks after acne (PMID 40904413)(confirmed 2026-10-02): 1 23-year-old woman, comparison of half face, redness index decreased by 17.8% and 16% at 14 days
- Gangnam Unni review and Babitalk review (platform review, confirmed on 2026-10-02): Based on classification of 4,950 reviews related to scars and marks. The original text of the review is not included.
Editorial responsibility and relationships
DermaFocus has no advertising, contract, or affiliation with any clinic or manufacturer mentioned in this article, and has not received any money or sponsorship. This article is a compilation of information needed to select a procedure and does not replace a personal diagnosis or treatment plan.