Acne is done. The scars aren't.
Microchanneling is one of the best in-office treatments for softening acne scars — but marketing overpromises. Here's what's realistic at Alesca Aesthetics in Lancaster, PA.
What microchanneling can and CAN'T fix
Can meaningfully soften (50-80% improvement): - Rolling scars: Wavy, uneven surface texture - Boxcar scars: Shallow, wide depressions with sharp edges - Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH): Dark marks left after acne heals - Post-inflammatory erythema (PIE): Red/pink marks after acne - Enlarged pores from acne damage
Can modestly improve (20-40%): - Ice pick scars: Narrow, deep punctures. Best paired with TCA CROSS technique for full improvement. - Deep boxcar scars: Some improvement — often need laser or subcision for full correction
Cannot fix: - Keloid scars: Raised, thick. Require different treatment (steroid injection, laser). - Active acne: Don't treat active flare. Manage acne first. - Scarring from cystic acne with fibrous banding: Needs subcision (breaking bands) BEFORE microchanneling can help.
Why microchanneling works for scars
Scar tissue has abnormal collagen structure — dense, disorganized, not like healthy skin. Microchanneling:
- Creates controlled channels through scar tissue
- Triggers your body to remove old damaged collagen
- Stimulates production of new, organized collagen
- New collagen fills in the depression from below
- Skin surface smooths + evens tone
Series of 4-6 sessions = meaningful, cumulative improvement.
The Alesca acne scar protocol
Consultation (30 min): - Assess scar type + depth - Determine if you're a candidate (or need referral) - Photograph baseline for later comparison - Recommend session count
Session 1: - Deep cleanse - Numbing cream for 20-30 min (deeper depth needed for scars) - Microchanneling with 1.5-2.0 mm depth — deeper than standard cosmetic microchanneling - Growth factor serum infusion - Red light therapy immediately after - SPF + post-care instructions
Sessions 2-6: - Same protocol, adjusted depth based on healing response - Baseline photos referenced - Focus areas may vary session to session (e.g., session 3 focused on cheek scars, session 4 on temple)
Follow-up: - Assessment at week 12 post-final session - Additional sessions if wanted
Timeline — realistic
Post-session 1 (2-4 weeks after): - Slight tightness - Very subtle texture improvement - 5-10% improvement observable
Post-session 3 (~3 months in): - Noticeable softening of scar edges - Skin feels smoother to touch - 20-30% overall improvement
Post-session 5-6 (~5-6 months in): - Peak results - 50-80% improvement for most rolling and boxcar scars - 20-40% improvement for deeper ice pick scars
Maintenance: 1 session every 3-4 months to sustain results.
Cost — acne scar treatment at Alesca
Deep acne scar microchanneling is priced same as standard microchanneling:
- Single session: $199
- 4-pack: $650 (saves $146) — most acne scar clients start here
- 6-session package: contact for pricing
- Add chemical peel (helps hyperpigmentation): +$50 per session
Realistic total spend: $650-$1,200 for a full series.
Compare to alternatives: - Laser resurfacing (CO2, Fraxel): $1,500-$3,000 per session, multiple sessions - RF microneedling (Morpheus8): $800-$1,500 per session - Subcision + microchanneling combo: at dermatology office, $600-$1,200 per session - TCA CROSS for ice pick scars: $150-$300 per session (usually 3-6 sessions)
Microchanneling isn't the cheapest, but it's the best value at this depth of treatment.
Combining with other treatments (recommended for aggressive scars)
Microchanneling + chemical peels: - Chemical peel add-on ($50) at every microchanneling session - Helps PIH + PIE fade faster - Recommended for clients with red/dark spots + textural scarring
Microchanneling + medical-grade skincare: - Retinoids (tretinoin) between sessions - Vitamin C serum daily - Regular gentle exfoliants - Consistent SPF 30+ daily
Microchanneling + TCA CROSS for ice pick scars: - We refer to dermatology for TCA CROSS on individual deep scars - Then microchanneling for the rest of the face
What you MUST do to see results
Sun protection: - SPF 30+ every day, no exceptions. Support healing from within — consider monthly B12 shots for skin regeneration support - Even indoor, even winter - UV exposure = worse pigmentation + slower healing = poor microchanneling results
Consistency: - Complete the full series (4-6 sessions) - Miss no sessions - Don't skip aftercare between
Skincare routine: - Gentle cleanser - Retinoid at night (stop 3-5 days before each session) - Vitamin C morning - Moisturizer - SPF
Patience: - Don't judge results before session 4 - Don't judge results before 3 months post-last-session - Photograph baseline + monthly for tracking
Combining with acne medication?
You can microchannel while on: - Retinoids (topical) — stop 3-5 days before each session - Oral antibiotics for acne — fine - Spironolactone — fine - Birth control for acne management — fine
You CANNOT microchannel: - On Accutane (isotretinoin) — must be OFF for at least 6 months - During active acne flare — treat acne first - With active herpes/cold sore on face — treat first
Common mistakes
Doing 1 session and expecting results. Series required.
Skipping the 4-6 week spacing. Too frequent = skin doesn't heal fully.
Not addressing active acne first. Microchanneling doesn't fix new acne — it treats aftermath.
Poor sun protection between sessions. Worst mistake. Undoes all your progress.
Picking at post-treatment flaking. Delays healing + risks new pigmentation.
Comparing your session 1 to Instagram influencer session 6. Different starting points, different faces.
Realistic before/after expectations
At best case (perfect adherence, good candidate):
- Rolling scars: 60-80% smoother — visible surface improvement
- Boxcar shallow scars: 50-70% improvement — softer edges, less visible depth
- Boxcar deep scars: 30-50% improvement — softer but still present
- Ice pick scars: 20-40% improvement — narrower but still visible
- PIH (dark marks): 50-80% fade — most improvement in this category
- PIE (red marks): 40-70% fade — usually gone after a full series
Not 100%. Never 100%. But often enough to feel confident in makeup-free selfies.
When to consider laser instead of microchanneling
- Very deep ice pick scars — laser (fractional CO2) may be needed
- Widespread severe scarring — laser series may be faster
- Willing to accept 5-10 days downtime per session — laser downtime worth it for some
- Budget above $3,000-$5,000 total treatment — laser series in that range
Alesca doesn't offer laser resurfacing. We can refer to trusted dermatology partners in Lancaster.
Ready for a consultation?
Free consultation with Jordan. She'll assess scar type + severity, discuss realistic timeline + cost, and give honest before/after expectations.
Book microchanneling consultation or call 717-584-4912. Full details at our our microchanneling service.
Related reading
- Microneedling vs microchanneling
- Microchanneling aftercare guide
- Chemical peels — pair with microchanneling for scars
Advanced combo: PRF + microchanneling. For deeper acne scars, some Alesca clients add PRF EZ Gel ($700/session) to their microchanneling series. PRF delivers concentrated growth factors from your own platelets — stacked with microchanneling's collagen channels, the result is more dramatic for atrophic scars. Ask at consultation if this combo is right for your scar type.