An atrophic scar is a sunken, indented scar that sits below the surrounding skin because not enough collagen formed as a wound healed. Common types include acne scars, chickenpox scars, and some surgical scars. They look like small pits, depressions, or shallow craters rather than raised bumps.
What an atrophic scar actually is
The word "atrophic" simply means loss of tissue. When a wound heals normally, the body rebuilds collagen to fill the gap smoothly. With an atrophic scar, that rebuilding falls short, so the healed skin sits lower than the skin around it. The result is a depression, pit, or shallow crater you can often feel as well as see.
Dermatologists group most atrophic scars into three familiar shapes. Ice-pick scars are narrow and deep, like a tiny puncture. Boxcar scars are wider with sharper, more defined edges. Rolling scars create a gentle, wave-like unevenness across the skin. Many people have a mix of all three, especially on the cheeks and temples after acne.
- Ice-pick — small, narrow, deep pits
- Boxcar — wider depressions with defined edges
- Rolling — broad, wavy, uneven texture
- Common causes: acne, chickenpox, surgery, injury
Why atrophic scars come up in laser and scar removal
Atrophic scars are the opposite of raised scars such as keloids or hypertrophic scars, and that difference matters for treatment. Because the problem is missing volume rather than excess tissue, the goal is usually to encourage the skin to build new collagen and even out the surface, not to flatten something that stands proud.
This distinction is also why a careful, in-person evaluation is the honest first step. Scar type, depth, skin tone, and how long the scar has been there all shape what is realistic. Atrophic scars often improve in appearance rather than disappear completely, and being clear about that up front is part of responsible, physician-led care.
How Laser Eraser approaches atrophic scars
At Laser Eraser, every treatment is performed by a physician, not a spa technician. Founder Dr. Alvaro Alban is an emergency-medicine physician in New Jersey who pursued specialized laser training at the Institute for Laser Medicine in Skippack, Pennsylvania. That medical background means your scar is assessed by a doctor who can tell an atrophic scar from a raised one and set expectations you can trust.
Our core technology is the PicoWay picosecond laser, delivered in ultra-short pulses and customized to your skin type. While PicoWay is best known for tattoo removal, the same physician-led, skin-tailored philosophy guides how we evaluate texture and scarring. The most important step is a complimentary consultation, where a physician looks at your specific scars in person and gives you a straight answer about what is and isn't achievable.
Frequently asked questions
Most atrophic scars can be improved rather than erased completely. Because the issue is lost tissue, the aim is to soften depth and even out texture so scars become less noticeable. Results vary with scar type, depth, and skin tone, which is why a physician evaluates your scars in person before discussing any realistic plan.