Hongdae Dermatology: Can UltraPulse Encore Transform Indented Acne Scars?

Indented acne scars are not simply a superficial skin issue.

One of the most common remarks I hear in the consultation room is,

“My makeup applies nicely, but whenever the light hits my face, the scars become so prominent.”

Even after active acne subsides,

if the deep dermal structures collapse and fail to regenerate properly,

they remain as indented acne scars.

That is why treating acne scars

with methods that only treat the surface reaches a clear limit.

Hello.

I am Dr. Go-eun Lee from Nine Clinic Hongdae, your dermatology clinic at Hongik University Station🙂

Today, I would like to share an honest, professional perspective

on a topic frequently discussed in our clinic: acne scar treatment.

Hongdae Dermatology: Why are acne scars so difficult to improve?

Acne scars occur when the collagen structure is destroyed in areas affected by severe inflammation.

The problem is that this lost collagen does not naturally regenerate on its own.

Even if the epidermis appears normal,

if the dermal layer underneath has collapsed,

the skin continues to look hollow and uneven.

Consequently,

it is difficult to expect noticeable improvements

relying solely on regenerative ointments, medications, or light skincare treatments.

What is needed in these cases

is a treatment that fundamentally “reconstructs” the dermal layer.

The key to acne scar treatment lies in the “choice of laser.”

While various lasers are utilized for acne scar treatment,

I typically select devices such as the Pico Enlighten Fraxel or the UltraPulse Encore based on the depth and shape of the scars.

☑️ Enlighten MLA (Pico Fraxel)

① Improves overall skin regeneration environment with microscopic fractional beams

② Highly effective for refining surface texture and shallow scars

③ Relatively low downtime

However,

for deep, depressed acne scars,

this level of stimulation is often insufficient.

"That is why we need UltraPulse Encore."

☑️ UltraPulse Encore

Its approach is fundamentally different from conventional fractional lasers.

① High-power CO2 laser

② Accurately reaches deep into the dermal layer

③ Strongly reorganizes the collapsed collagen framework

From a clinical standpoint,

it induces a regenerative response approximately 5 times more powerful

than conventional fractional lasers,

and results tend to appear much more rapidly.

Still,

many patients ask,

“Doesn’t that make it very painful?”

UltraPulse Encore delivers potent results while minimizing pain.

Because UltraPulse Encore delivers high energy in exceptionally short pulse durations,

it minimizes collateral thermal damage to surrounding tissue.

It penetrates deeper than traditional acne scar lasers,

enabling substantial improvement even in severe acne scarring.

⭐ 5 times more powerful results compared to conventional scar lasers

⭐ Rapid recovery speed (short downtime)

⭐ Reduced pain, shortened treatment period

⭐ Proven safety profile (US FDA-approved)

This represents the greatest difference from typical fractional lasers.

It is not merely a laser that "fires with high energy,"

but one engineered to stimulate precisely to the exact depth required.

Laser treatment alone may not always be enough for acne scars.

Let me highlight one more crucial point.

When treating acne scars,

combining laser treatments with skin boosters yields significantly better outcomes

than laser treatment alone.

Once the laser

⭐ stimulates the collapsed architecture and

⭐ creates micro-channels,

delivering essential restorative ingredients that facilitate skin remodeling

proves far more effective.

Effective Skin Boosters for Combination Therapy

Common combination procedures during clinical practice include:

■ Juvelook: Alleviates scars through targeted collagen stimulation

■ Mihee Injection: Optimizes collagen synthesis and restores base volume in scars

■ Rejuran Healer: Promotes damaged skin healing and refines overall texture

■ Rituo / Cellrediem: Fortifies the dermal regenerative matrix

■ Exosomes: Suppress inflammation and accelerate tissue recovery

Think of UltraPulse Encore as

“preparing the skin to rebuild,”

while these skin boosters serve to actively fuel that regeneration process.

The Most Critical Factor in Treating Acne Scars at Hongdae Dermatology

The following elements are vital in acne scar treatment,

and because they vary for every single patient, treatment requires high expertise:

✔️ Depth

✔️ Morphology

✔️ Density

✔️ Skin type

Therefore,

rather than claiming "this specific laser is the single best,"

the key is determining which custom combination suits your specific scar condition.

In my practice, I develop treatment plans by first assessing three fundamentals:

Scar Depth Analysis / Extent of Dermal Damage / Estimated Healing Speed

Here are two patient cases treated toward the end of December.

These are before-and-after results following just a single session of UltraPulse Encore laser.

The transformation is truly remarkable, isn't it?

Even I am often amazed by the clinical results.. haha

(Case 1)

(Case 2)

Closing Thoughts

Depressed acne scars

will not resolve simply with time.

However,

⭐ Selecting the right acne scar laser

⭐ Utilizing powerful remodeling therapies such as UltraPulse Encore

⭐ Combining targeted skin boosters like Mihee Injection, Rejuran, or Juvelook

When a customized plan is established with these factors in mind,

indented scars can show remarkable, visible improvement.

If your breakouts have ended

yet sunken scars continue to cause distress,

you have every reason to look forward to positive change haha.

Thank you for taking the time to read this🙂

"We wish for you to become more beautiful at every single moment."

Hongdae Dermatology Clinic,

Dr. Go-eun Lee at Nine Clinic Hongdae.

Also,

did you know we run a YouTube channel?

We share concise and useful information on various aesthetic procedures,

so please feel free to drop by 😊

Goeun Skin Dr. Go-eun Lee Share videos with friends, family, and the world www.youtube.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't indented acne scars improve with ointments or topical medication?

Because the collagen architecture within the deep dermal layer has collapsed. Collagen destroyed by severe acne inflammation does not regenerate naturally on its own; therefore, surface care is insufficient, making professional dermal-remodeling laser therapy necessary.

How does UltraPulse Encore differ from standard fractional lasers?

UltraPulse Encore is a high-power CO2 laser that reaches deep into the dermis to strongly restructure damaged collagen. It delivers approximately five times more regenerative energy than standard fractional lasers while delivering pulses so rapidly that surrounding thermal damage and pain are minimized.

Should skin boosters be combined with acne scar laser treatments?

Yes, combining them creates a powerful synergistic effect. Once the laser stimulates tissue and creates micro-channels, skin boosters such as Juvelook, Rejuran, or exosomes provide the essential building blocks for tissue regeneration, delivering superior results over laser treatment alone.

How do you decide between Pico Fraxel and UltraPulse Encore?

The choice depends on scar depth and type. Pico Fraxel (Enlighten MLA) is ideal for refining skin texture and shallow scars with minimal downtime, whereas UltraPulse Encore is recommended for deep, severely indented scars that demand deeper dermal penetration.