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Acne Scar Treatment in Franklin, TN

Smoother Texture and a More Even Complexion

Common In:
Teens and adults who had inflammatory breakouts
Primary Causes:
Inflamed acne, collagen damage, picking
Treatment Time:
Personalized Exion Clear session plan
Results:
Build gradually over a series of sessions
Woman examining faded acne scars on her cheek after acne scar treatment at Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness in Franklin, TN
Close view of acne scarring and post-acne marks on adult cheek skin reviewed at Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness

What Are Acne Scars, and What Acne Scar Treatment Can Do

A Closer Look at Scarring and Marks

Acne scars are lasting changes in the skin left behind after a breakout heals. Deep, inflamed blemishes damage the collagen underneath, and the skin repairs itself unevenly. The result can be small dips and pits, rolling unevenness across the cheeks, or flat red and brown marks that linger for months after the pimple is gone.

Many people in Franklin, Brentwood, Cool Springs and Spring Hill start looking for acne scar removal once their skin is finally clear but the marks remain. Makeup can cover some discoloration, but it rarely hides texture, and that is often what bothers people most.

At Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness, we start by listening: which marks bother you, how your skin has changed and what you want to avoid, such as downtime. From there we match you to options from our non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments in Franklin, TN, and you can compare every issue we address on our concerns we treat page.

Why Acne Scars Form

What Happens as a Breakout Heals

01The Science

An inflamed pimple is a small wound inside a pore. When the inflammation runs deep, it breaks down collagen in the dermis, the supportive layer beneath the surface. As the skin heals, it may make too little new collagen, which leaves a depressed or atrophic scar, or too much, which leaves a raised scar. Atrophic scars are by far the most common type on the face.

Not every mark is a true scar. Flat brown spots, called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and flat red or pink marks come from pigment and blood vessel changes after inflammation. They can fade slowly on their own, while textured scars usually need help to improve.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that getting acne under control is the first step in preventing new scars, and a review of acne scar pathogenesis and classification explains how the depth and duration of inflammation shape the scar that forms.

02Deeper Understanding

Types of Acne Scars and How Exion Clear Helps

Why Scar Type Shapes the Plan

Depressed acne scars fall into three main shapes. Ice pick scars are narrow and deep, boxcar scars are wider with sharper edges, and rolling scars create a soft, wave-like unevenness. Many people have a mix, often alongside red or brown marks. Knowing which you have is a big part of how to get rid of acne scars realistically.

For scarring and post-acne discoloration on the face, neck and décolletage, Exion Clear acne scar treatment in Franklin uses radiofrequency energy on the FDA-cleared BTL Exion platform to support the skin’s natural renewal and a more even tone. It also addresses red and brown pigmentation and sun spots, so one plan can target both texture and color. Exion Clear is not a treatment for active acne. If you still have regular breakouts, we recommend getting them under control with your dermatologist or physician first.

You can read more about sessions, aftercare and expectations on our pigmentation treatment with Exion Clear page. If scarring comes with fine lines or crepey texture, see our page on wrinkles and fine lines.

What Makes Acne Scarring Worse?

Some people clear acne with barely a mark, while others scar from only a few breakouts. These factors shape how your skin heals.

  1. 01Deep, Cystic BreakoutsNodules and cysts sit deep in the skin and destroy far more collagen than small surface blemishes, raising the risk of lasting scars.
  2. 02Picking and SqueezingPressing on blemishes pushes inflammation deeper and tears the surrounding tissue, which often turns a temporary mark into a scar.
  3. 03Delayed Acne CareThe longer inflammatory acne goes untreated, the more chances each breakout has to leave a scar behind.
  4. 04GeneticsA family history of acne scarring makes you more likely to scar, even from breakouts that seem mild.
  5. 05Sun ExposureUltraviolet light darkens post-acne marks and makes discoloration linger far longer than it would with daily sun protection.
  6. 06Natural Collagen DeclineAs collagen thins with age, shallow scars can look deeper and more noticeable than they did years earlier.
Calm, modern treatment suite with BTL Exion technology for acne scar care at Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness in Franklin, TN

Why Choose Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness for Acne Scars Care in Franklin, TN

Your treatment is planned and performed by Nancy Siphonexay-Vadnais, our lead esthetician, who brings 9 years in aesthetics and 7 years specializing in advanced aesthetic treatments. She trained at the Aveda Institute and the National Institute of Medical Aesthetics, and she builds each plan around your skin and goals.

We Listen First
Your consultation starts with the marks that bother you most, so the plan reflects your skin and how you want it to look.
Texture and Tone Together
Exion Clear addresses acne scars alongside red and brown discoloration, so you do not need separate plans for each.
Latest BTL Technology
We use the FDA-cleared BTL Exion platform, part of a full suite of advanced facial technology under one roof.
Honest Expectations
We explain how results build over a series, what scars can realistically improve and when to see your dermatologist.

Acne Scar Treatment Options Compared

Compare the acne scar treatment we offer in Franklin, TN. Outside options such as chemical peels, lasers, subcision or fillers can also be discussed at your consultation.

TreatmentBest ForNeedlesAddresses DiscolorationDowntime
Pigmentation Treatment with Exion ClearAcne scars plus red and brown post-acne marksNoYes, red and brown pigmentationMinimal, most people return to their day

You May Have Acne Scarring If...

Knowing whether you have true scarring, discoloration or both helps set realistic expectations. These are the signs we look for most often.

  • Dips That Show in Side Light

    Your skin looks fairly smooth head-on, but small pits and shadows appear under overhead or side lighting.

  • Uneven, Rolling Texture

    Your cheeks or temples have a wavy, uneven surface that makeup sits on top of rather than smoothing out.

  • Marks That Outlast Breakouts

    Brown or red spots stay for months after a pimple has healed instead of fading within a few weeks.

  • Makeup Cannot Hide Texture

    Foundation covers color but settles into small depressions, making texture look more noticeable by midday.

  • Narrow, Deep Pits

    You notice small, sharp holes in the skin that look like enlarged pores but do not change with pore products.

  • Clear Skin, Lasting Scars

    Your acne is under control, but the scars it left behind still affect how you feel about your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will acne scars go away on their own?
Flat red or brown marks often fade slowly over months, especially with daily sunscreen. Textured scars, such as dips, pits and rolling unevenness, are structural changes in the skin and usually do not resolve on their own. An in-clinic acne scar treatment can help soften their appearance over a series of sessions.
What is the best acne scar treatment in Franklin, TN?
The right choice depends on your scar type and whether discoloration is part of the picture. At Williamson Aesthetics & Wellness, we use Exion Clear, a radiofrequency treatment on the BTL Exion platform that addresses acne scars along with red and brown pigmentation. We assess your skin first and build a personalized plan.
Can Exion Clear treat active acne?
No. Exion Clear is designed for acne scars and post-acne discoloration, not active breakouts. If you still get regular pimples or cysts, we recommend working with your dermatologist or physician to get acne under control first, which also prevents new scars from forming.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people need a series of sessions, because results build gradually as the skin renews itself. The number depends on the depth and type of your scars and how much discoloration you have. We map out your session plan and maintenance schedule at your consultation.
How much does acne scar treatment cost?
Pricing is personalized and quoted at your consultation, based on the areas treated and the number of sessions in your plan. These are elective, self-pay treatments. Ask about financing options, as patient financing through Cherry is coming soon.
Who should not have Exion Clear?
Exion Clear is not suitable for everyone. Pacemakers, implanted defibrillators or neurostimulators, metal implants in the treatment area, pregnancy and active acne or skin infection are common reasons to wait or choose another option. We review your health history before your first session.
How can I prevent new acne scars?
Treat breakouts early, avoid picking or squeezing blemishes and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day so marks do not darken. A dermatologist can help with persistent or cystic acne. In-clinic scar treatment works best once acne is under control.

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Scientific References

  1. Fabbrocini et al., Dermatol Res Pract. (2010). Acne scars: pathogenesis, classification and treatment. PMID: 20981308.
  2. Boen et al., Dermatol Surg. (2019). A Review and Update of Treatment Options Using the Acne Scar Classification System. PMID: 30856634.
  3. Kim et al., Arch Dermatol Res. (2023). Evidence-based management of cutaneous scarring in dermatology part 2: atrophic acne scarring. PMID: 38059974.
  4. Teymour et al., J Cosmet Dermatol. (2023). Energy-based devices in the treatment of acne scars in skin of color. PMID: 36575886.
  5. Sofen et al., Skin Therapy Lett. (2016). Melasma and Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Management Update and Expert Opinion. PMID: 27224897.
  6. Beasley et al., Dermatol Clin. (2014). Radiofrequency in cosmetic dermatology. PMID: 24267424.