Acne and acne scarring
Clinical name: Acne vulgaris · atrophic scarring
Active lesions, or the marks and pits left behind after they settle.
The cause
Follicular occlusion with excess sebum, bacteria and a hormonal drive. The aftermath is two distinct things: red or brown marks (pigment, which resolves on its own with time and protection) and textural pits (which never resolve on their own).
What we can actually change
Active acne is controlled within 8–16 weeks in most cases. Pigmented marks fade 70–90% with topical treatment and sunscreen alone, no laser required. Textural pits improve by 30–60% after a full fractional course — a clear reduction, not disappearance, and nobody can make them disappear. A promise of skin "like before" is a promise that cannot be kept.
Treatments that address it
Medical acne treatment
Reduces inflammation and sebum, and prevents new lesions forming.
3–6 SESSIONS · 4 weeks · No downtime · Painless
400 – 700 EGP
Fractional CO₂ laser
Creates microscopic thermal columns that drive collagen remodelling.
3–5 SESSIONS · 6 weeks · Downtime 7 days · Significant — anaesthetic used
3,500 – 6,000 EGP
Microneedling
Fine needles create microscopic injuries that stimulate collagen without heat.
4–6 SESSIONS · 4 weeks · Downtime 2 days · Moderate
1,000 – 2,200 EGP
Chemical peel
Removes defined layers of skin so it regenerates with smoother texture and less pigment.
4–8 SESSIONS · 3 weeks · Downtime 3 days · Mild
700 – 1,800 EGP
This will not work if
- If the acne is still active — laser on inflamed skin worsens it. It must settle first.
- If you have taken isotretinoin in the last 6 months — fractional laser is contraindicated.
- If you have a keloid history — the plan changes entirely.
- If the scars are deep ice-pick type — fractional alone is not enough, and this is a surgical referral.
- If you will not use daily sunscreen for 3 months afterwards — the result becomes pigmentation.
Aftercare
- SPF 50+ daily, winter and summer, indoors and out
- A simple fragrance-free moisturiser
- Do not squeeze anything — the commonest cause of permanent marks
Questions we are asked
- Will laser remove the pits completely?
- No. The realistic figure is 30–60% improvement after a full course, appearing over 3–6 months after the last session. We photograph before and after in identical light so you see the real difference, not the one the lighting made.
- Exactly how many sessions?
- Three to five fractional sessions, six weeks apart. The number is written into the plan before session one at a fixed price — and we do not add sessions mid-course.
- Can I have laser while I still have active spots?
- No. This is the question on which we most often say "wait" and lose the booking. Active lesions must be settled medically first; scarring comes after.
Results
The cards below are templates showing the format and the record that will sit beneath every image. No patient images are published yet, and we have not filled the space with stock photography or manufacturers' catalogue images.
Template record — not a real case
Boxcar scarring on the cheeks. Clear textural improvement. Skin was stable with no active lesions before starting.
Template record — not a real case
Partial outcome
Partial result — moderate scars responded, but the deep ice-pick component responded considerably less than expected. Explained to the patient before session two; she chose to complete the course. The correct next step is a plastic surgery referral, not more sessions.
Booking
Availability is shown first. We ask for nothing about you until you have chosen a slot.
1 · Choose a slot
Available slots
Consultation fee: 500 EGP · Deducted from your first session if booked within 14 days.