> > Skip to content
Acne Scar CO2 Laser · DEKA Tetra PRO SCAR3 · Subcision · TCA CROSS · IN Eternity Clinic, Singapore

Acne Scar CO2 Laser Singapore — Tetra PRO SCAR3

Reconstructed, Not Concealed

A fractional CO2 protocol for depressed acne scars on the DEKA Tetra PRO, used at IN Eternity Clinic together with subcision and TCA CROSS. Each scar type is mapped first, and the laser settings are chosen per scar by Medical Director Dr Sin Yong. For the full range of options, see acne scar treatment in Singapore.

Book My Appointment → Learn More ↓
4D
Reconstruction Protocol
All Types
Icepick · Boxcar · Rolling
DEKA KOL
S3 Resurfacing Laser
6
Device makers that invited him to share his clinical expertise
Assessed and treated by Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director · MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edinburgh) · MSc Aesthetic Medicine (London) · MSc Practical Dermatology (Cardiff) · Designated DEKA Centre of Excellence
4D
Reconstruction Protocol
All Types
Icepick · Boxcar · Rolling
DEKA KOL
S3 Resurfacing Laser
6
Device makers that invited him to share his clinical expertise
Key facts
  • Device: DEKA Tetra PRO fractional CO2 (SCAR3 protocol), FRACTIONAL and ULTRA modes.
  • How it is run: point-shots into individual scar pits, then a fractional pass over surrounding skin.
  • Combined with: subcision for tethered rolling scars, TCA CROSS for ice-pick scars, and an injectable where volume is lost.
  • Recovery: around 5–7 days for the treated skin to heal; redness settles over the following weeks.
  • Asian skin: settings and aftercare are chosen around the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
  • Where: IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza — a DEKA Centre of Excellence.
Reviewed by Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director, IN Eternity Clinic · Last updated
About This Treatment

Scars are a structural problem

A depressed acne scar is a change in the skin's structure, not a mark sitting on top of it. In a rolling scar, fibrous strands pull the surface down from below. An ice-pick scar is a narrow shaft running deep into the dermis. A boxcar scar is a wider dip with steep edges. Because the structures differ, so do the tools.

IN Eternity Clinic's 4D Scar Reconstruction protocol plans four things together: the surface texture, the depth of the scar in the dermis, tethering beneath the skin, and lost volume. The Tetra PRO SCAR3 laser handles the surface and dermal steps; subcision and, where needed, a collagen-stimulating injectable handle the other two. How far any scar changes varies from person to person.

The 4D Scar Reconstruction Protocol

01
Subcision — Release of Fibrous Tethering
Tethered rolling scars are freed first with subcision: a fine instrument cuts the fibrous strands under the scar so its floor can rise before any laser work.
02
S3 Resurfacing Laser Laser Resurfacing
The Tetra PRO places point-shots into scar pits and then fractional ablative columns across the area, prompting collagen remodelling over the following weeks.
03
TCA Cross (Chemical Reconstruction)
Ice-pick scars are too narrow for a laser beam alone, so high-strength TCA is placed inside each shaft. The scar walls respond by laying down collagen, and the depth reduces gradually over sessions.
04
Volumetric Correction
Where a scar has lost volume underneath, a collagen-stimulating injectable (Radiesse) may be placed after subcision. It gives support straight away and prompts new collagen over the following months, for areas that remodelling alone does not fill.
05
Results & Timeline
Change is assessed across a course rather than after one visit. A typical plan is several sessions spaced about 6–8 weeks apart, decided after assessment. Scar tissue is remodelled rather than temporarily filled, though the skin around it continues to age.

CO2, microneedling, RF microneedling and subcision — what each does

Most people researching acne scars come across the same list: CO2 laser, fractional CO2, microneedling, RF microneedling and subcision. Each acts on a different part of the scar, which is why the 4D protocol combines them instead of picking one.

01
Fractional CO2 laser
Fractional CO2 vaporises a grid of tiny columns so the skin rebuilds as it heals. It helps surface texture and scar edges, but on its own it reaches the base of a deep ice-pick scar poorly. In Asian skin, standard settings can leave prolonged redness or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, so the SCAR3 sequence and calibration at IN Eternity Clinic are chosen with that risk in mind.
02
Microneedling & RF Microneedling Singapore
Microneedling makes fine needle injuries to prompt collagen and suits mild, shallow texture. RF microneedling adds heat at depth for a stronger collagen response. Neither one cuts the fibrous strands behind rolling scars or fills volume loss under deep scars — that is the job of subcision and injectables, which Dr Sin Yong adds where needed.
03
Subcision & Laser Scar Removal Singapore
Subcision is the step that frees a scar held down by fibrous strands, the cause of the rolling pattern. In the 4D protocol it comes first, so the scar floor is already released when the laser later works on the surface and dermis above it.

How the SCAR3 protocol is run at IN Eternity Clinic

A Specialised Modified Protocol

A standard fractional pass spreads energy evenly across the whole area. At IN Eternity Clinic the Tetra PRO is used in two steps instead: first, single point-shots placed into individual scar pits; then a fractional pass over the surrounding skin. This lets the depth of treatment differ between the pit and the skin around it. The Tetra PRO's FRACTIONAL and ULTRA modes allow ablation depth and density to be set separately for different scar types and skin tones.

Ice-pick, boxcar and rolling scars in one plan

Ice-pick scars are difficult because their depth is out of reach of most surface treatments. In the SCAR3 plan they are handled with TCA CROSS and point-shots, while boxcar and rolling scars nearby are treated with fractional passes and subcision, so mixed scarring can be addressed within one course.

Planning for Asian and darker skin

The main concern with fractional CO2 in Asian and darker skin is lingering redness and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), because pigment cells in these skin types react more readily to heat.

For this reason the SCAR3 settings are chosen to limit heat spread into the skin around each column, and pre- and post-treatment care is planned to reduce PIH risk. Risk is lowered, not removed, and it is discussed openly at consultation.

Skin type is assessed before any laser is booked. For some darker skin types Dr Sin Yong may lean more on subcision, TCA CROSS or RF microneedling, with gentler laser settings or fewer laser passes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Tetra PRO's settings allow deep, targeted point-shots into individual scar pits, followed by a lighter fractional pass. Depth is set per scar type and per skin type, and the laser is combined with subcision, TCA CROSS and, where needed, an injectable within the 4D protocol. What it achieves for your scars is discussed at assessment.

Depressed scars of all three types: rolling (with subcision), boxcar and ice-pick (with TCA CROSS and point-shots), plus general uneven texture. Raised scars are planned differently.
Several sessions are usual, commonly spaced 6–8 weeks apart; the number depends on scar depth and type and is set after assessment. Collagen remodelling continues for weeks after each session.
Numbing is applied before the laser. Most people feel heat and some discomfort during the passes. Expect around 5–7 days for the treated skin to heal, with redness that settles over the following weeks.
It lets individual scar pits receive a deeper, targeted shot before a lighter fractional pass is spread over the surrounding skin. The aim is to match treatment depth to each scar rather than to the whole area, with settings chosen around PIH risk for Asian skin.
Yes. Expect about 5–7 days of healing after the SCAR3 laser, with redness, swelling and fine crusting as the skin repairs. Gentler options with less recovery exist, but they do not reach scars in the same way; this trade-off is discussed at assessment.
Microneedling and RF microneedling prompt collagen through needle injury and heat, and are used for milder texture or where less surface injury is preferred. They do not release tethering or reach the base of ice-pick scars, so they sit alongside subcision, TCA CROSS and the laser rather than replacing them.
Acne scar treatment Singapore price and scar removal cost Singapore vary widely by modality. Price depends on the device, the number of sessions and the scar types being treated. The consultation fee is waived with any medical treatment. A personalised quote for your scar type and treatment plan will be provided at consultation.
It can be. Back skin heals differently from facial skin, so scar types, spread and skin type are assessed first and the settings and sequence are adjusted for the back.
Because a tethered scar is held down from below. Releasing the strands first lets the scar floor move up; the laser then works on the surface and dermis above. For rolling scars, laser without release leaves the cause untouched.

Acne scar treatment pricing depends on scar type and depth, the area treated, and how many sessions the plan involves — deep or mixed scarring generally needs more sessions than shallow textural change. Because the work is matched to your specific scarring, IN Eternity Clinic gives a plan and cost after assessment rather than a fixed price.

Scarring is treated in layers over a planned course, with intervals allowing collagen to remodel between sessions. The number depends on the number, type and depth of your scars, and is set by Medical Director Dr Sin Yong at consultation.

Results from the S3 scar laser build in the weeks after each session as the skin renews, and are commonly maintained with periodic treatment. The interval depends on your skin and concern, and is planned individually.

Laser resurfacing treats acne scars by creating a controlled healing response in the dermis so the tissue remodels; depth matters, because atrophic scars sit deep. The S3 scar laser at IN Eternity Clinic runs on DEKA technology that reaches well into the dermis. It is often combined with subcision or TCA CROSS depending on scar type, decided at assessment.

Why Many Laser Treatments Underperform

A frequent story at consultation is several laser sessions elsewhere with little change. When that happens, the plan often treated surface texture only, while tethering, scar depth or post-acne pigment were left alone. A CO2 laser cannot cut the strands under a rolling scar or rebuild the walls of an ice-pick scar by itself.

The Tetra PRO SCAR3 is a DEKA fractional CO2 laser with FRACTIONAL and ULTRA modes, so ablation depth and density can be set for each scar type and skin tone. At IN Eternity Clinic it is the laser step of the 4D Scar Reconstruction protocol, used with subcision, TCA CROSS and, where volume is lost, an injectable.

Scar Type Assessment

Ice-pick scars — narrow shafts reaching the deep dermis. TCA CROSS inside the scar is the usual first step, because a laser alone reaches the base poorly.

Boxcar scars — wider dips with steep edges. Shallow ones are commonly resurfaced with fractional CO2; deeper ones may also need subcision or volume support.

Rolling scars — broad, wavy dips caused by tethering. Subcision is needed to release them; resurfacing alone leaves the tethering in place.

At the first visit Dr Sin Yong photographs your skin and maps each scar type, then writes the combination and sequence into your plan before any treatment. Plans differ because scar maps differ.

“A rolling scar is held down from below. Until that tether is released, resurfacing the skin above it is working on the wrong layer.”
— Dr Sin Yong, Medical Director, IN Eternity Clinic
Comfort

Does it hurt? Comfort and numbing

Fractional CO2 is one of the more intense scar treatments, so comfort is planned rather than left to chance. A numbing cream is applied for about 45 to 60 minutes and removed just before the laser. Where subcision is part of the plan, local anaesthetic is injected under those scars first; it stings briefly, then the area is numb and the release feels like pressure.

During the point-shots most people feel sharp, hot pinpricks; the fractional pass feels like rapid prickling heat that builds across the area. Cooled air is blown onto the skin throughout, and Dr Sin Yong works in sections so you can rest between passes. TCA CROSS causes a short sting inside each ice-pick scar. Afterwards the face feels hot and tight, like a strong sunburn, for the rest of the day, easing over 24 to 48 hours. Cool compresses and simple painkillers are usually all that is needed.

What to expect

What to expect, day by day

Myths and facts

Common myths, answered

Questions

More questions answered

Will people notice I had laser?

For the first week, yes: the skin is red with fine crusts, so most people keep that week free of meetings and events. Once the crusts have come away, residual pinkness can usually be covered with make-up. Change in the scars themselves builds over months, so people tend to notice smoother skin rather than a treatment.

Can I go in the sun after CO2 laser?

Sun on freshly lasered skin is the main trigger for post-inflammatory pigmentation in Asian skin. For the first few weeks, avoid direct sun, wear a hat and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day once the skin has closed, reapplying when outdoors. A beach holiday is better planned a few weeks after a session than just before it.

Do I need to stop my skincare before the laser?

Usually, for a short time. Exfoliating acids, scrubs and retinoid creams are typically stopped about a week before a session and restarted only once the skin has healed, because they make the surface more reactive. Oral acne medication needs particular care with timing. Dr Sin Yong reviews everything you use at assessment and gives you clear instructions.

SY
Dr Sin Yong
MBBS, National University of Singapore · MRCS (Edinburgh)
MSc in Practical Dermatology, Cardiff University · MSc in Aesthetic Medicine, University of London
Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine, Singapore
Invited to share his clinical expertise as an International Key Opinion Leader by CLASSYS, HIRONIC, DEKA, ALMA, FOTONA and LUTRONIC

For pigment left behind by acne — the brown and red marks that linger after a breakout — we also use the DEKA TORO, a Q-Switched Nd:YAG combining picosecond and nanosecond emissions to brighten and even tone alongside the scar-resurfacing work, refining overall skin texture and dilated pores.

Acne Scar Treatment in Singapore — A Layered, Per-Scar Approach

Why scars need more than one tool

Acne scars are not all the same: rolling, boxcar and ice-pick scars each respond to different techniques. Our acne scar treatment in Singapore combines subcision to release tethered scars, fractional CO2 laser to rebuild collagen, and S3 resurfacing — because effective acne scar removal addresses depth, surface and tethering together.

Calibrated per scar, per patient

Dr Sin Yong assesses each scar type and your skin tone before setting the plan, so the protocol fits your scars rather than a template. Leftover pigment from old breakouts is treated separately with the clinic's pico and TORO lasers alongside the resurfacing.

Course, downtime and cost

Acne scar laser usually requires a series of sessions for meaningful improvement, with downtime varying by intensity. We explain the realistic number of sessions and acne scar treatment cost in Singapore transparently at consultation, so you can plan with confidence.

Considering acne scar treatment in Singapore? At IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road off Orchard Road, each consultation starts with listening, not a treatment menu. Whether you are asking about acne scars, CO2 laser or fractional CO2, Medical Director Dr Sin Yong builds the plan around your skin and your schedule. IN Eternity Clinic was founded by AYA and is run with unhurried, doctor-led care.

References

  1. Jacob CI, Dover JS, Kaminer MS. Acne scarring: a classification system and review of treatment options. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45(1):109-17. doi:10.1067/mjd.2001.113451
  2. Manuskiatti W, Iamphonrat T, Wanitphakdeedecha R, Eimpunth S. Comparison of fractional erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet and carbon dioxide lasers in resurfacing of atrophic acne scars in Asians. Dermatol Surg 2013;39(1 Pt 1):111-20. doi:10.1111/dsu.12030
  3. Cheyasak N, Manuskiatti W, Maneeprasopchoke P, Wanitphakdeedecha R. Topical corticosteroids minimise the risk of postinflammatory hyper-pigmentation after ablative fractional CO2 laser resurfacing in Asians. Acta Derm Venereol 2015;95(2):201-5. doi:10.2340/00015555-1899
  4. Ahramiyanpour N, Rastaghi F, Parvar SY, et al. Subcision in acne scarring: A review of clinical trials. J Cosmet Dermatol 2023;22(3):744-751. doi:10.1111/jocd.15480
  5. Health Sciences Authority, Singapore. Infosearch — registered medical devices and health products. hsa.gov.sg
  6. Singapore Medical Council. Guidelines on Aesthetic Practices for Doctors (2016 edition). healthprofessionals.gov.sg/smc

These sources describe mechanisms and general evidence. They are not a promise of any individual result; suitability is decided at an in-person assessment.

Book a scar assessment with Dr Sin Yong

Which steps you need depends on the scars you have. Every plan starts with an assessment by Dr Sin Yong at 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza.

Book My Appointment
WhatsApp us