Acne & Acne Scar Treatment Vancouver
Acne & Acne Scar Treatment in Vancouver
Acne is one of the most common skin concerns at any age — and the marks and scars it leaves behind can bother people long after the breakouts settle. At IV League Injections by Vicki Nguyen, RN, located within Six Clinic in Vancouver, we build personalized plans to calm active breakouts, clear congestion, and improve the texture and tone left behind.
Acne Marks vs. Acne Scars — They’re Not the Same
This is the distinction that changes your whole treatment plan. The flat brown or red marks left after a breakout are usually post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH) or redness (PIE) — not scars. They sit on the surface and fade with pigment control, skincare, gentle resurfacing, and time. True acne scars are textural — rolling, boxcar, or ice-pick depressions where the skin’s structure has changed — and they need collagen-stimulating and resurfacing treatments to improve. Most people have a mix, and the two are treated differently, so identifying which you have is the first step. More on pigment and marks →
What Causes Acne?
Acne develops from a combination of factors, usually more than one at a time:
- Excess oil (sebum) production
- Clogged pores and dead skin cell buildup
- Acne-causing bacteria and inflammation
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Genetics, stress, and some skincare or lifestyle triggers
What We Treat
- Active breakouts and congestion (blackheads, whiteheads)
- Hormonal and jawline acne
- Post-acne marks — brown pigmentation (PIH) and lingering redness (PIE)
- Textural acne scarring (rolling, boxcar, ice-pick)
- Enlarged pores and uneven texture left behind
Our Approach
We take a layered approach, matched to whether we’re calming active acne, fading marks, or improving scar texture.
HydraFacial & Deep Cleansing
- Decongests pores and clears buildup
- Gently exfoliates and hydrates
- Improves clarity with no downtime — more on HydraFacial
Chemical Peels
- Accelerates cell turnover and clears congestion
- Helps fade post-acne marks and smooth texture
- Medical-grade options for a range of skin types — more on chemical peels
Laser & Resurfacing
- Targets redness, pigment, and scar texture
- Stimulates collagen to improve depressed scarring
- Builds smoother, clearer skin over a series — more on laser facials
Medical-Grade Skincare
- Supports oil control, cell turnover, and pigment management
- Protects and maintains your results between treatments
Some cases — particularly severe, painful, or cystic acne — are best managed medically, and we’ll always tell you honestly if a referral for prescription treatment is the right next step before or alongside aesthetic care.
What to Expect
Acne and scarring improve gradually and in stages. Active breakouts and congestion often respond first, marks fade over subsequent weeks, and textural scarring improves over a series of treatments as collagen rebuilds. We’ll set realistic timelines at your consultation. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between acne marks and acne scars?
Acne marks are flat brown or red spots left after a breakout — post-inflammatory pigmentation or redness — and they fade over time with pigment control, skincare, and gentle resurfacing. Acne scars are textural changes in the skin, like rolling, boxcar, or ice-pick depressions, and they need collagen-stimulating or resurfacing treatments to improve. Many people have both, and they’re treated differently.
Can you treat active acne and scarring at the same time?
Usually we calm active, inflamed acne first, then move on to marks and texture. Treating scars aggressively while acne is still very active can irritate the skin, so the order matters. We’ll sequence your plan so each stage sets up the next.
How many sessions will I need for acne scars?
Textural scarring improves over a series rather than in a single session, since it depends on rebuilding collagen. The exact number depends on the depth and type of scarring and your skin’s response. We’ll give you a realistic plan at your consultation.
Is acne treatment safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, with the right approach. Deeper skin tones are more prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation, so treatment choices and settings are selected carefully — and sometimes we prioritize gentler, skincare-led approaches. Your plan is tailored to your skin type at your assessment.
Will my acne come back after treatment?
Acne is often driven by ongoing factors like oil production and hormones, so maintenance and a good skincare routine help keep it under control. We focus on managing the causes, not just clearing the current breakout, and we’ll build a maintenance plan that fits your skin.
Do I need to change my skincare before coming in?
Sometimes. Certain active ingredients (like retinoids or exfoliating acids) may need to be paused before some treatments. We’ll send you clear prep instructions once we’ve chosen your plan, so you’ll know exactly what to do beforehand.
Book Your Acne Consultation
If you’re dealing with breakouts, marks, or scarring, a consultation is the best place to start — we’ll assess your skin and build a plan around what you’re actually dealing with.
Disclaimer
Individual results may vary. A consultation is required to determine the most appropriate treatment plan.