What ice pick scars are
Ice pick scars are small, narrow openings that look as though the skin was punctured with a fine point. On the surface they may be no wider than an enlarged pore, but they extend down like a narrow channel, often deeper than they are wide. They are most common on the cheeks and are frequently mistaken for large pores. They usually sit among other scar types — rolling scars and boxcar scars — and that mix shapes the treatment plan.
Why they form and which layer is involved
Ice pick scars typically follow deep, inflamed acne such as cysts, where the infection travels down along the follicle and destroys tissue on the way. As the area heals, fibrous tissue forms a narrow tract. In our 8-layer Skin Architecture model, the opening is in the epidermis , but the scar runs through the upper dermis into the full-thickness dermis and sometimes further. Because the base is so deep and the opening so small, surface-only treatments struggle to reach it — the energy or the healing response needs to be directed into the channel itself.
This is also why ice pick scars often look unchanged after general resurfacing that helped other scars. They usually need a more targeted plan, and sometimes a combination of methods over several visits.
How Obliv approaches ice pick scars
- Diagnosis first. A director examines your skin closely and Mark-Vu imaging helps distinguish true ice pick scars from enlarged pores, which need a different approach (see enlarged pores ). Any active acne is calmed first.
- Barrier preparation. We reinforce the barrier with ingredients such as ceramides and hyaluronic acid before treatment and protect it afterwards, so healing is calmer and more even.
- Reaching the depth. CO2 laser resurfacing is often central for deep scars, because it can work into the scar and encourage remodelling of the tissue around it. It needs a proper recovery period.
- Remodelling the surrounding skin. Potenza RF microneedling delivers radiofrequency energy into the dermis to stimulate collagen around the scars, with relatively short downtime. Combining it with CO2 across a course helps both the deep channels and the overall texture.
- Targeted techniques. For particularly deep, isolated scars your doctor may suggest an additional focused technique; they will explain the right option and what it involves at consultation.
Our Acne Scar Program brings these steps together in the order that suits your scar mix.
What to expect
Ice pick scars generally need patience. A typical course is 3–5 sessions of Potenza or CO2, spaced 4–6 weeks apart, letting collagen form between visits and working with the skin's roughly 28-day renewal cycle. Expect short-lived redness and tiny marks after Potenza, and a longer recovery after CO2, which your doctor will describe in detail. Improvement tends to be gradual — scars become shallower and less shadowed — and results vary from person to person. Your doctor will give an honest view of what is realistic.
Caring for your skin between visits
- Wear SPF50+ daily after laser and microneedling, reapplying outdoors.
- Leave any crusting to shed on its own; picking can worsen marks.
- Pause scrubs, strong acids and retinoids until your doctor advises.
- Use the pH-5.5-matched home care we prescribe to support recovery.
Visiting from abroad
Because CO2 needs recovery time, plan scar treatment early in your trip rather than just before flying. Many visitors start with a consultation and first session, then continue on later trips, with every step recorded in their Skin Library. Send close-up daylight photos and your travel dates on WhatsApp, and we will help you plan.
Aftercare in the first week
How you look after your skin in the days following a scar session has a real effect on comfort and on the final result. Your doctor will give you specific instructions, but the first week usually involves:
- Days 1–2: keep the skin clean, moisturised and protected. Redness, warmth and mild swelling are common, especially after CO2.
- Days 3–7: fine crusting or flaking may appear and shed naturally. Let it come away on its own and keep moisturising.
- Throughout: avoid saunas, swimming pools, heavy exercise and direct sun, and do not apply make-up until your doctor says the skin is ready.
If you are travelling home soon after treatment, read flying after laser for practical tips on the journey.
At a glance
- Skin layer: Epidermis opening, channel into the dermis
- Main tools: CO2 laser, Potenza
- Sessions: Typically 3–5, 4–6 weeks apart
- Downtime: Short with Potenza; longer with CO2
- Plan around travel: Treat early in your trip
- Related programme: Acne Scar Program
Questions about ice pick scars
Are these ice pick scars or just large pores?
They can look similar, but ice pick scars are deeper, narrower channels left by inflamed acne, while pores are natural openings. A doctor examines your skin and uses imaging to tell them apart, because the treatments differ.
Why haven't other treatments helped my ice pick scars?
Ice pick scars are deep and narrow, so treatments that mainly work on the surface often cannot reach the base. A plan that targets depth, such as CO2 resurfacing combined with Potenza, may help more. Results vary from person to person.
How much downtime should I plan for?
Potenza usually causes short-lived redness and small marks. CO2 laser needs a longer recovery, so your doctor will explain the timeline and help you schedule it around work or travel.
Can I start treatment on a short trip to Seoul?
Yes, many visitors start with a consultation and a first session, then continue on later visits. Book early in your stay so there is time to recover before flying home.
Talk to us about ice pick scars
Message us on WhatsApp in English. Obliv Clinic Seoul Origin, Pagoda Tower, 93 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu — about 5 minutes on foot from Jonggak and Euljiro 1-ga stations, close to Myeongdong.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Suitability, number of sessions and results vary from person to person and are decided with a doctor at consultation.
