CO2 Laser for Acne Scars: Why Scar Type Matters

• Posted on: May 15 2026
• By: Dr. Gary Butka

Acne may eventually clear, but the scars it leaves behind can be much harder to improve. If you’re considering CO2 laser resurfacing for acne scars, understanding your scar type is an important first step. Different scars affect the skin in different ways, which means they may not respond equally to the same treatment. At Creative Image Laser Solutions in Brownwood, our experienced providers evaluate your skin and individual scar patterns before recommending a personalized laser treatment plan.

Why Acne Scars Look So Different

Acne scars develop when inflammation damages the skin and disrupts normal collagen production during healing. Some scars form when the body doesn’t produce enough collagen, creating depressions. Others result from excess collagen and become raised.

Among depressed, or atrophic, acne scars, there are three common types:

• Boxcar scars are broad depressions with relatively defined edges.
• Rolling scars create shallow, wave-like indentations that give skin an uneven texture.
• Ice pick scars are narrow but extend more deeply into the skin.

You can have more than one type at the same time, which is one reason a professional evaluation matters.

How CO2 Laser Resurfacing Helps

CO2 laser resurfacing delivers controlled laser energy into the skin. This removes damaged surface tissue while stimulating the body’s natural healing response and new collagen formation. As your skin remodels, certain scars may become shallower, and overall texture can appear smoother.

Rolling and boxcar scars may respond particularly well to resurfacing because improving collagen and texture can soften their appearance. Deep ice pick scars can be more challenging and may require a different or combined treatment approach.

CO2 resurfacing can also help address other concerns that sometimes accompany acne scarring, including uneven texture and signs of sun damage.

Why Your Treatment Should Be Personalized

Choosing acne scar treatment isn’t simply a matter of deciding whether CO2 laser resurfacing “works.” Your scar type and depth, skin characteristics, treatment history, desired improvement, and willingness to accommodate recovery all influence the appropriate approach.

At Creative Image Laser Solutions, your treatment begins with a careful skin assessment, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation. This experience-driven approach helps determine whether CO2 laser resurfacing is appropriate and what you can realistically expect from treatment.

Explore CO2 Laser Treatment in Brownwood

You don’t have to treat every acne scar the same way. Understanding what caused the texture you’re seeing can help you choose a treatment suited to your skin.

Contact Creative Image Laser Solutions at (325) 641-1927 to schedule a consultation in Brownwood, TX, and learn whether CO2 laser resurfacing could help improve your acne scars.

Posted in: CO2 LASER RESURFACING