This 28-year-old patient came in wanting to address acne scarring that had affected her confidence for years. Although active breakouts had largely settled, she was left with boxcar scars and ice pick scars across the cheeks, with some areas of uneven texture that became harder to hide under makeup. She described feeling frustrated that even when her skin was otherwise clear, the surface still didn’t look smooth.

She had become especially aware of the scarring in photos and natural daylight. Foundation could soften redness, but it could not blur the indentations. She felt that her skin often looked different depending on the angle, and that the scars were one of the first things she noticed about herself.

After assessment, Fractional CO2 resurfacing was recommended to address the visible textural changes and help improve the appearance of the scarred skin. Because her scars included a combination of more defined boxcar changes and narrower pitted areas, treatment focused on resurfacing and skin renewal to help the surface appear more even and more refined over time.

For her, the goal was not perfection. It was to feel comfortable leaving the house with lighter makeup, to stop adjusting her angle in selfies, and to see the skin looking smoother and more luminous instead of interrupted by old acne marks.