Acne and scarring treatments are among the most common reasons people in Arlington visit our SkinDC team. Teens and adults visit us expecting real results, and we deliver. Board‑certified dermatologists Dr. Terrence Keaney and Dr. Lina Naga combine medical skill with the latest technological advances. Our acne and scarring treatments can help reduce breakouts fast, then smooth leftover marks so you can face every day with clear, even skin. Below are five in-office options (each available at SkinDC), along with who they help and what recovery looks like.
AviClear Laser
AviClear is one of the treatments that SkinDC has for acne & acne scarring. It’s the first and only FDA-cleared laser specifically designed for acne. It uses a 1726 nm wavelength to calm overactive oil (sebaceous) glands.
Who it helps
Teens or adults with mild to severe breakouts who want a drug‑free path to clearer skin. Suitable for every skin tone.
How it works
Three 30‑minute sessions, one month apart, heat the glands just enough to slow oil production. Clinical data show that flare-ups grow shorter, milder, and less frequent as oil production drops.
Downtime
None. Skin may look pink for a few hours, then you go back to school, work, or sports.
Microneedling
Also known as collagen-induction therapy, microneedling uses tiny, sterile needles to create microscopic channels in the skin. It can help with scars from acne or other scarring. These micro‑injuries prompt fresh collagen and elastin.
Who it helps
Anyone in Arlington with acne pits, large pores, or a rough texture, especially those with medium to deep skin tones, may not be suitable for aggressive lasers.
How it works
After our SkinDC team applies numbing cream, a specialized microneedling pen glides across scarred areas. New collagen fills in dents from the inside, softening scars and refining texture.
Downtime
One to two days of redness similar to a sunburn. Makeup is usually fine after 24 hours. A series of three to six visits, spaced four weeks apart, gives the best result.
Morpheus8 RF Microneedling
Morpheus8 combines microneedles with gentle radiofrequency heat, delivered deep into the dermis. The combo tightens skin and triggers extra‑strong collagen remodeling to relieve scars or acne.
Who it helps
Arlington Adults with deeper boxcar or rolling scars, mild laxity, or uneven jawline who want clear skin plus subtle tightening. Safe on all complexions because settings are customizable.
How it works
The device stamps the skin, deposits RF energy, and retracts. Heat contracts existing collagen while needling sparks new strands, smoothing scars from multiple angles.
Downtime
Two to three days of redness and tiny “stamp” dots that soon flake off. Full results are built over a three-month period. Most SkinDC patients schedule three visits, one month apart.
HALO Hybrid Laser Resurfacing: dual‑action renewal
HALO combines an ablative wavelength (to vaporize pinpoint columns of scar tissue or acne) with a non‑ablative wavelength (to warm deeper layers). You get big changes with shorter recovery than typical CO₂ lasers.
Who it helps
Fair to medium skin tones with noticeable acne craters, mixed scars, or rough tone, who can take a long weekend for healing.
How it works
Your SkinDC laser specialist glides the HALO handpiece across your face. Fractions of skin receive controlled micro‑damage while untouched skin speeds healing. New collagen lifts scars and refines pores over weeks.
Downtime
Three to five days of redness and bronze “pepper” flaking, then a pink glow that fades in a week. One session often delivers major smoothing; severe scars may need two.
BBL
SkinDC’s BroadBand Light (BBL) platform harnesses high-intensity pulses of light to refresh skin tone, calm acne-related redness, and fade dark spots in a quick and comfortable visit. Because settings are adjustable, our team can fine‑tune each treatment for teen acne breakouts, adult discoloration, or the lingering scars that follow a flare‑up.
BBL BroadBand Light
Standard BBL uses targeted bursts of light to break up excess pigment, shrink visible vessels, and gently heat oil glands. The process leaves surrounding tissue untouched, so most patients experience only brief pinkness before returning to daily life with clearer, more even skin.
BBL HEROic
BBL HEROic is the next‑generation version that delivers higher‑energy pulses while gliding smoothly across larger areas. The faster treatment time means the full face, neck, or chest can be covered in minutes, and built‑in cooling keeps the procedure comfortable. It is ideal for anyone in Arlington who’s seeking a quick “head‑to‑toe” tone and texture boost alongside their acne‑focused care.
VBeam PDL
The VBeam pulsed‑dye laser focuses on redness rather than bacteria. It’s bursts of energy zero in on tiny blood vessels just under the surface, causing them to collapse and fade.
That’s what makes VBeam an ideal follow‑up once active acne or scarring has settled, but red bumps or post‑inflammatory marks linger. A treated area may appear pink for a day, and tiny bruises can form at higher settings; however, these mild effects typically clear within a few days, leaving the skin tone noticeably more even.
Medical‑Strength Chemical Peels
Chemical peels involve a controlled application of salicylic, glycolic, or other acids that remove a thin surface layer, clearing clogged pores and lifting discoloration.
Who it helps
Teens with blackheads and whiteheads or adults with brown marks and fine surface scars who need a quick refresh.
How it works
The solution remains on for a set time, then it is neutralized. Over the next week, dull skin flakes away, revealing smoother, brighter skin.
Downtime
Light flaking for two to five days. A series of light peels every few weeks can maintain your results.
Scarring And Acne Treatments At Your SkinDC Visit
- Skin analysis – Our Arlington specialists analyze active acne, scar types, and skin tone.
- Custom roadmap – You may start with AviClear, add peels to keep pores clear, then finish with HALO or microneedling for texture.
- Comfort & safety – All devices are FDA‑cleared, and settings are adjusted for your complexion.
- Real-life recovery – Most options have minimal downtime, allowing you to live your life while your skin improves.
To find out how our SkinDC team can help you with acne or scarring treatments in our Arlington office, go here to schedule your first consultation.