Why Won't Those Acne Scars and Enlarged Pores Fade on Their Own in Gahanna, Ohio?

Long after your breakouts have cleared up, the evidence can still be sitting right there on your skin. Shallow indentations, rough patches, or pores that seem to have stretched out and stayed that way. It is a common and frustrating reality for anyone who dealt with acne, whether that was during your teenage years or more recently, and it often feels like there is nothing left to do but accept it.

The good news is that textural concerns like scarring and enlarged pores are actually some of the most treatable skin issues out there, once you understand what is causing them to stick around. That understanding is exactly why so many people researching rf microneedling are finding their way to it after years of feeling stuck with their skin's texture.

Updated August 2026

Why Do Acne Scars and Large Pores Stay Long After Breakouts Are Gone?

To understand why these issues persist, it helps to know what is actually happening beneath the surface of your skin.

Collagen Damage From Inflammation

When a breakout is inflamed, especially deeper cystic acne, it can damage the collagen and supportive tissue beneath the skin. As the area heals, the body does not always rebuild that collagen evenly, which creates the shallow depressions we recognize as acne scars.

Stretched Pore Walls

Chronic oil production and repeated clogging can gradually stretch the walls of your pores. Once stretched, pores tend to stay enlarged even after the underlying oil production improves, since the surrounding skin structure has already lost some of its elasticity.

Natural Collagen Decline With Age

Collagen production naturally slows as we age, which means existing scars and textural irregularities that were once less noticeable can become more visible over time as the surrounding skin loses volume and firmness.

Sun Exposure Making Texture Worse

Ongoing sun exposure can further break down collagen and elastin, which compounds existing scarring and texture issues rather than allowing the skin to remodel and smooth out on its own.

What Are the Common Signs You Are Dealing With Textural Scarring?

Not everyone experiences post-acne texture the same way. A few common patterns include the following.

• Shallow, saucer-like indentations across the cheeks or jawline
• Narrow, deep pitted scars that look like small pinpricks
• Rough or uneven texture that feels different from the surrounding skin
• Visibly enlarged pores, particularly across the nose and cheeks
• Skin that looks fine with makeup but reveals texture in natural light or close up

If any of these describe what you see in the mirror, it is a sign your skin may respond well to a treatment that works at a deeper level than typical skincare products.

How Does RF Microneedling Improve Scarring and Pore Size?

RF microneedling combines traditional microneedling with radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen production more effectively than either method alone. At Beyond Skin Aesthetics, we use the Virtue RF microneedling system, which delivers controlled micro-injuries alongside radiofrequency energy to encourage the skin to rebuild collagen and elastin from the inside out.

This process helps fill in shallow scarring over time, as the body lays down new, healthier collagen in areas that previously healed unevenly. The same collagen stimulation also helps tighten and refine the appearance of enlarged pores, since firmer surrounding tissue naturally makes pores look smaller and less prominent.

What Should You Expect From an RF Microneedling Treatment?

A typical session takes around 45 to 60 minutes, including a numbing period to keep the treatment comfortable. Most clients describe mild redness similar to a sunburn for a day or two afterward, with some light flaking possible over the following days as the skin renews itself.

Because collagen remodeling is a gradual process, results continue to improve for several months after each session, with many clients noticing smoother texture and reduced pore visibility within four to six weeks. A series of sessions, typically spaced about a month apart, is usually recommended for the most noticeable improvement in scarring and texture.

For clients dealing with more significant pigment or redness alongside texture concerns, we often recommend pairing rf microneedling with an Aerolase laser facial or a chemical peel to address multiple layers of skin quality at once.

Who Is a Good Candidate for RF Microneedling?

RF microneedling is especially popular among clients dealing with scarring, acne scars, or surgical scars, as well as those bothered by large pores or rough texture that has not improved with topical treatments. It is also commonly used for clients noticing early wrinkles and fine lines, since the collagen stimulation benefits texture and firmness at the same time.

Clients with active, inflamed acne are usually advised to get breakouts under control first, since microneedling works best on skin that is not actively flaring. Once active acne is managed, RF microneedling becomes an excellent next step for addressing the marks left behind.

How Many Sessions Will You Actually Need?

The number of sessions needed depends on the depth and extent of your scarring. Shallow, mild texture concerns may show meaningful improvement in as few as three sessions, while deeper or more extensive scarring often benefits from a longer series. Your provider at Beyond Skin Aesthetics will assess your specific skin during a consultation and build a treatment plan around realistic expectations for your unique texture and goals.

When Should You Consider Professional Treatment Instead of Waiting It Out?

If your scarring or pore size has remained unchanged for a year or more despite a consistent skincare routine, that is generally a sign the issue will not resolve on its own. Textural concerns like these typically require a treatment that stimulates deeper collagen remodeling rather than surface level exfoliation or hydration, which is exactly the gap that rf microneedling is designed to fill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does RF microneedling hurt? Most clients tolerate the treatment well thanks to a topical numbing agent applied beforehand, describing the sensation as light pressure or mild discomfort rather than significant pain.

How long is the recovery after RF microneedling? Most clients experience redness similar to a mild sunburn for one to two days, with the ability to return to normal activities shortly after treatment.

Can RF microneedling completely remove acne scars? While results vary depending on the depth and type of scarring, many clients see a significant improvement in the appearance of scars, though very deep scarring may require a longer treatment series for the most noticeable results.

How many RF microneedling sessions are typically recommended? Most treatment plans involve a series of three to six sessions, spaced about a month apart, depending on your specific texture concerns.

Is RF microneedling safe for darker skin tones? Yes, RF microneedling is generally considered safe across a range of skin tones since it relies on radiofrequency energy rather than light-based technology that can carry more risk for pigment changes in darker skin.

Give Your Skin the Fresh Start It Has Been Waiting For

Acne scars and enlarged pores do not have to be a permanent souvenir from breakouts you have long since moved past. With the right collagen-stimulating treatment, your skin has more room to heal and smooth out than most people realize.

If you are ready to finally address the texture that has been bothering you, schedule a consultation with Beyond Skin Aesthetics in Gahanna to see what rf microneedling can do for your skin.