Acne scars carry reminders of past breakouts long after the acne itself has resolved — creating uneven texture, visible depressions, and surface irregularities that affect how skin reflects light and how confident you feel without makeup. UltraClear® cold fiber laser technology offers Salt Lake City patients a clinically proven approach to softening acne scars and restoring smoother skin texture, with results that continue improving for months after treatment and safety across all skin tones.
Board-Certified Precision for Scar Revision
Effective acne scar treatment requires understanding how different scar types respond to laser energy — and the judgment to customize treatment parameters accordingly. Dr. Kian Eftekhari brings this expertise as a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in facial reconstruction and skin resurfacing. His surgical background in tissue healing and scar revision informs every laser treatment, ensuring patients receive protocols optimized for their specific scar patterns and skin characteristics.
“Acne scars aren’t all the same — ice pick scars, boxcar scars, and rolling scars each require a different treatment strategy,” explains Dr. Eftekhari. “UltraClear’s adjustable settings let me target each scar type precisely, which translates to better outcomes with fewer treatments.”
Understanding How UltraClear® Improves Acne Scars
Acne scars form when inflammatory breakouts damage the skin’s collagen structure, leaving behind depressions, raised areas, or textural irregularities as the skin heals improperly. Traditional treatments often struggle to reach the deeper dermal layers where this structural damage resides — or they do so at the cost of significant downtime and elevated complication risks, particularly for patients with darker skin tones.
UltraClear® addresses acne scarring through its unique cold fiber laser technology and 3DIntelliPulse® delivery system. The fractional ablative energy creates microscopic channels in scarred tissue, triggering the body’s wound-healing response and stimulating fresh collagen production to fill and smooth depressed scars. Simultaneously, surface ablation removes irregular texture and post-inflammatory pigmentation that often accompanies acne scarring.
Because UltraClear® delivers energy through ultra-short pulses with minimal thermal buildup, patients experience faster healing and significantly reduced risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — a critical advantage for the many acne scar patients who have medium to darker skin tones and have been told traditional lasers aren’t safe for them.
Types of Acne Scars That Respond to Treatment
UltraClear® effectively treats the full range of atrophic (depressed) acne scars that most commonly affect patients. Rolling scars — the broad, wave-like depressions that create shadowing across the cheeks — respond well as new collagen production lifts the depressed tissue. Boxcar scars, characterized by sharply defined edges and flat bottoms, soften as laser-stimulated remodeling smooths their angular borders. Ice pick scars, the narrow deep pits that extend into the dermis, improve with targeted treatment that stimulates collagen from within the scar channel.
Beyond specific scar types, UltraClear® addresses the generalized textural irregularities that make skin appear rough, uneven, or pockmarked. Enlarged pores, post-acne discoloration, and the overall loss of skin smoothness all improve as treatment stimulates comprehensive surface renewal and dermal remodeling.
For patients with hypertrophic or raised acne scars, Dr. Eftekhari may recommend combining UltraClear® with other modalities or adjusting the treatment approach to achieve optimal results.
The Advantage for All Skin Tones
Historically, patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV through VI — including many patients of Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African American heritage — faced limited options for laser scar treatment. Traditional ablative lasers generate substantial heat that disrupts melanin production, frequently causing hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation that can be more distressing than the original scars.
UltraClear® changes this equation. Its cold fiber technology and precise energy delivery minimize thermal injury to surrounding tissue, dramatically reducing pigmentation risks. The laser is FDA-cleared for all skin types, making effective acne scar treatment accessible to the diverse patient population throughout Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front.
“I see many patients who were previously told laser treatment wasn’t an option for their skin tone,” notes Dr. Eftekhari. “UltraClear allows me to offer them real improvement with confidence in their safety.”
What to Expect During and After Treatment
Acne scar treatment with UltraClear® typically takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on the treatment area and scar severity. A topical numbing cream applied before the procedure ensures comfort throughout. Most patients describe the sensation as warmth with occasional mild snapping — significantly more tolerable than traditional ablative resurfacing.
Following treatment, expect three to five days of redness and mild swelling as the skin heals. Some patients experience light peeling as damaged surface tissue sloughs away. Most feel comfortable returning to work and social activities within three to five days, though individual healing varies based on treatment intensity and skin type.
Initial improvement in skin texture and brightness appears within the first two weeks. The more significant transformation — visible softening of scar depth, smoother overall texture, and improved light reflection — develops progressively over three to six months as new collagen fills and remodels scarred tissue. Many patients notice continued improvement for up to a year following treatment.
Treatment Planning for Optimal Results
The number of UltraClear® sessions needed depends on scar severity, scar type, and individual treatment goals. Patients with mild scarring and textural concerns often achieve satisfying results with one to two treatments. Those with moderate to significant acne scarring typically benefit from a series of three to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart, allowing each treatment to build upon the collagen stimulation from the previous session.
During your consultation, Dr. Eftekhari will assess your specific scar patterns, skin type, and goals to recommend a treatment plan designed to deliver meaningful improvement while respecting your timeline and lifestyle considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions About UltraClear® for Acne Scars
UltraClear® delivers results comparable to more aggressive ablative lasers while offering significantly shorter recovery and better safety for darker skin tones. Clinical studies demonstrate meaningful improvement in scar depth and skin texture, with patients typically seeing 30% to 50% improvement after a treatment series.
Yes. UltraClear® is FDA-cleared for Fitzpatrick skin types I through VI, making it one of the safest laser options available for patients with medium to dark skin who face elevated hyperpigmentation risks with traditional lasers.
Most patients with moderate acne scarring benefit from three to four treatments spaced four to six weeks apart. Mild scarring may require fewer sessions, while severe scarring may benefit from additional treatments or combination approaches.
Topical numbing cream applied before treatment keeps most patients comfortable throughout the procedure. The cold fiber technology produces less thermal discomfort than traditional lasers, with most patients rating the sensation as very tolerable.
Because UltraClear® stimulates your body's own collagen production, results are long-lasting. The new collagen that fills and smooths scars becomes a permanent part of your skin structure, though natural aging will continue over time.
Active inflammatory acne should be well-controlled before pursuing laser scar treatment. Dr. Eftekhari can evaluate your skin and recommend timing that optimizes both acne management and scar improvement.
Why Choose Eyelid Center of Utah for Acne Scar Treatment
Dr. Eftekhari’s reconstructive surgery background provides him with deep expertise in tissue healing and scar revision — knowledge that directly informs his approach to laser acne scar treatment. His understanding of how different scar types form and respond to treatment allows him to customize UltraClear® parameters for each patient’s unique presentation. Combined with his commitment to offering the most advanced technology available, patients receive care grounded in both scientific evidence and practical clinical experience.
Begin Your Journey to Smoother Skin in Salt Lake City
Acne scars don’t have to be permanent. Dr. Kian Eftekhari and the team at Eyelid Center of Utah are ready to evaluate your scarring, discuss realistic expectations, and create a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the smoother, more even skin texture you deserve. Contact our Salt Lake City, Draper, or Heber City office to schedule your UltraClear® consultation today.