Of all the skin concerns people walk into a medspa with, acne scars and large pores are two of the most emotionally loaded. The serums, the exfoliants, the expensive skincare stacks, most of them barely touch the surface of what’s actually going on beneath it.
The key is matching the right treatment to the right skin concern, because not all scars respond the same way, and not all pores need the same approach.
Here’s the thing: both acne scars and enlarged pores have a structural component. They’re not just on the skin, they’re in the skin. And that’s exactly why professional, more-than-topical treatments exist for them.
This guide covers the best options available in Cumming, GA, how they work, and how to choose the right one for your skin.
Understanding What You’re Actually Dealing With
Before choosing a treatment, it helps to understand what kind of scarring or pore concerns you have.
Types of Acne Scars
- Atrophic scars are the most common and the ones most patients want to address. They sit below the skin’s surface because the healing process didn’t produce enough collagen to fill the wound left by the breakout. There are three subtypes:
- Ice pick scars: Deep, narrow, and sharp-edged, like a small puncture in the skin. The hardest to treat because of their depth
- Boxcar scars: Wider, with sharp, defined edges. More shallow than ice picks; respond well to resurfacing treatments
- Rolling scars: Broad, shallow, and wavy. Often, the most dramatically improved by collagen-stimulating treatments
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is frequently confused with scarring, but it is technically different; it’s pigmentation, not structural damage. The dark marks left after a pimple heal. The good news is that PIH responds very well to treatments targeting pigmentation, and it fades over time.
- Hypertrophic and keloid scars are raised rather than depressed, less common with acne, but worth knowing. They require different treatment approaches and are outside the scope of most standard medspa protocols.
Why Pores Become Enlarged
Pores don’t literally open and close. Their visible size is determined by three things:
- Genetics (you largely inherited your pore size)
- Sebum production (oily skin stretches pores)
- Loss of collagen around the pore (which causes the walls to lose their firmness and the pore to appear wider).
This is why pores often look more noticeable with age; it’s not that they’ve changed, it’s that the surrounding skin has lost the structural support that kept them looking tighter.
This understanding matters for treatment: anything that stimulates collagen remodeling in the dermis helps with pore appearance. Which is why the same treatments that address acne scars also help minimize pores.
The Best Professional Treatments for Acne Scars & Large Pores
RF Microneedling (Genius) | The Gold Standard
RF microneedling using the Genius device is consistently ranked among the most effective treatments for both atrophic acne scars and enlarged pores. It’s the treatment that works at the structural level where scars and pore laxity actually live.
The Genius device uses ultra-fine insulated microneedles to penetrate the dermis and deliver radiofrequency energy precisely at the depth where collagen lives.
The combination triggers two simultaneous collagen-stimulating responses: the micro-channels from the needles initiate the skin’s wound-healing cascade, and the RF energy creates controlled heat zones that stimulate new collagen production and cause existing collagen fibers to contract and tighten. The result is a genuine remodeling of the dermal architecture, not just surface improvement.
The dual-action approach does two things at once
- Breaks down scar tissue: The mechanical needling disrupts the fibrous bands that cause depressed scars
- Rebuilds collagen and elastin: The RF heat energy triggers deep tissue healing and new collagen production
The result is progressively smoother, tighter, and more even skin, with most patients seeing meaningful improvement in scar depth, texture, and pore size after a series of sessions.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis published in PMC confirmed that RF microneedling delivers clinically significant improvement in atrophic acne scars, with particularly strong outcomes for rolling and boxcar scars. Most patients require two to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, with collagen remodeling continuing for up to six months after the final session.
Best for: Rolling and boxcar scars, enlarged pores, skin laxity alongside scarring, and patients wanting meaningful structural improvement without surgery. Safe for all skin types.
Downtime: 24-48 hours of redness and mild swelling, similar to a moderate sunburn.
Sessions recommended: 3-5, spaced 4-6 weeks apart
Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Fractional laser resurfacing, using ablative or non-ablative fractional technology, is one of the most effective options for deeper or more complex acne scarring. The same PMC meta-analysis noted that laser treatments, when combined with complementary therapies, show the highest efficacy for reducing acne scar severity scores.
Fractional lasers work by treating the skin in a grid pattern of micro-columns, leaving surrounding tissue intact. This allows for precise targeting of scarred areas while supporting faster healing than traditional ablative approaches.
Ablative fractional lasers (like CO2 or Erbium: YAG) remove surface tissue and produce more dramatic results with more downtime; non-ablative fractional lasers (like the Ultra Glo/Lutronic ULTRA) work beneath the surface with significantly less recovery.
For acne scars, fractional laser is most powerful for ice pick scars and deeper boxcar scars where surface resurfacing can improve the scar’s appearance from the outside in.
Best for: Ice pick scars, deeper boxcar scars, significant textural unevenness, and patients who can accommodate a post-treatment recovery phase.
Downtime: 3-7 days for non-ablative; 7-14 days for ablative fractional.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels address the surface dimensions of acne scarring: post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, shallow textural irregularities, and overall skin tone evenness.
For PIH, peels are among the most effective standalone treatments. The VI Peel Purify (formulated for acne-prone skin) and VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus (for PIH on acne-prone skin) are particularly well-suited for post-acne concerns.
Peels are less effective for structural, atrophic scarring; they work on what’s on and near the surface, not on the dermal architecture below. This is why they’re often used in combination with RF microneedling or laser rather than as a primary treatment for deeper scars.
Best for: Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, shallow scarring, overall skin tone and texture improvement, alongside other scar treatments.
Downtime: 3-7 days of visible peeling, depending on peel depth.
HydraFacial
HydraFacial isn’t a scar-correction treatment, but it earns a place in the acne-scar and pore conversation as a maintenance tool.
Its vortex extraction mechanism physically clears congestion from pores, reducing the ongoing cycle of clogging and breakouts that create new scar-forming breakouts. Regular HydraFacials between more intensive treatment sessions keep the skin’s surface clean, hydrated, and primed for the collagen-building work happening beneath the surface.
Specifically for pore minimization, HydraFacial with a pore-targeting booster serum reduces visible pore size in the short term and supports overall skin clarity.
Best for: Pore maintenance, preventing new breakouts during scar treatment series, and overall skin health between sessions.
Downtime: None
How to Choose the Right Treatment for Your Skin
The right approach depends on several variables: the type and severity of your scarring, your skin tone, how much downtime you can accommodate, and your timeline for results.
| Concern | Recommended Starting Point |
| Rolling and boxcar acne scars | RF Microneedling (Genius) (2-4 session series) |
| Ice pick scars | Fractional laser + RF Microneedling combination |
| Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark marks) | VI Peel Purify with Precision Plus + SPF |
| Enlarged pores, oily skin | RF Microneedling + regular HydraFacial maintenance |
| Combination of scars + pigmentation | RF Microneedling series + VI Peel between sessions |
| Sensitive skin with mild scarring | VI Peel + non-ablative fractional laser |
| Darker skin tones with scarring | Genius RF Microneedling (safe for all Fitzpatrick types) + Laser C Toning for PIH |
Can You Combine the Treatments?
The most significant improvements in acne scarring almost always come from a combination approach.
The logic is straightforward: atrophic scars have multiple dimensions. The depressed scar structure requires collagen remodeling from below (RF microneedling, fractional laser). The discoloration and surface texture require exfoliation and pigmentation targeting from above (chemical peels, laser toning). Monthly maintenance treatments (HydraFacial, light peels) keep the skin clear and support the longer healing arc.
A well-sequenced combination plan typically looks like:
- Months 1-2: Genius RF Microneedling (sessions 1 and 2), building the collagen foundation
- Month 2: VI Peel between sessions, addressing pigmentation and surface texture
- Month 3: Genius RF Microneedling (session 3 if needed) + HydraFacial for maintenance
- Months 4-6: Collagen continues building; results develop. Maintenance facials keep skin clear
This is for educational purposes only. Your provider at Windermere MedSpa will assess your scars, skin tone, and goals during your consultation to design the most effective sequence for you.
The Role of Sun Protection in Scar and Pore Treatment
This one gets underestimated, and it shouldn’t. Sun exposure is one of the most significant factors in determining how well acne scar treatments work and how long results last.
Here’s why it matters specifically for scar treatment: UV exposure triggers melanin production. After any resurfacing treatment, RF microneedling, chemical peel, or laser, your skin is in an active healing and remodeling phase where it’s more reactive to UV.
Unprotected sun exposure during this window can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation on top of the very scar marks you’re trying to reduce. It can also degrade the new collagen being produced, directly undermining the structural improvement your treatments are building.
Georgia summers in particular bring UV intensity that demands consistent protection, not occasional effort. The patients who see the most dramatic and lasting scar improvement are almost always the ones who are rigorous about sun protection between sessions. It’s not the glamorous part of the plan, but it’s one of the most impactful.
Acne Scar & Pore Treatments at Windermere Medspa, Cumming, GA
Windermere Medspa in Cumming, GA, offers Genius RF Microneedling, VI Peel, HydraFacial, Laser C Toning, and Ultra Glo laser resurfacing, a full range of treatments that can be combined into a personalized acne scar and pore improvement plan.
Every treatment plan at Windermere Medspa starts with a skin assessment. The type and depth of your scarring, your skin tone, and your lifestyle all factor into which treatments are recommended and how they’re sequenced.
The goal isn’t to sell you a single session; it’s to build a plan that actually moves your skin to a place you’re happy with. Visit windermeremedspa.com to learn more and book your consultation.
Same-day appointments are available for consultations. Virtual visits allow you to have the initial conversation about your concerns and treatment options before committing to an in-person appointment.
The Takeaway
Acne scars and large pores are among the most treatable structural skin concerns available in professional aesthetics today. The treatments have never been more precise, more inclusive across skin types, or more effective. But they require the right approach, matched to the right concern, and usually more than one tool working together.
If this is the year you finally do something about your skin, start with a consultation. Let the right plan find you. Book your acne scar consultation at Windermere MedSpa and take the first step toward smoother, clearer skin.
FAQs
Q1. Can acne scars actually be removed?
Ans: Results vary by scar type, severity, and skin. Not removed entirely, but significantly improved. Atrophic scars can be reduced by 50-70% or more with the right combination of treatment series.
Q2. How long does it take to see results from acne scar treatments?
Ans: Surface improvements from peels appear within 1-2 weeks. RF microneedling and laser results develop over 3-6 months as new collagen matures; patience is part of the process.
Q4. Are acne scar treatments safe for darker skin tones?
Ans: Yes, with the right treatment selection. Genius RF Microneedling is safe for all skin types. Your provider adjusts laser or peel settings based on your Fitzpatrick type to minimize the risk of pigmentation.
Q5. How many sessions do I need?
Ans: Most patients see meaningful improvement after 2-3 RF microneedling sessions. A complete plan addressing both structure and pigmentation may involve 4-6 appointments spread over several months.
Q6. Will my pores go back to being enlarged after treatment?
Ans: Pore tightening from RF microneedling and consistent maintenance facials holds well, but ongoing sun protection and regular professional treatments sustain results long-term.