Vivace RF Microneedling for Acne Scars & Skin Rejuvenation
RF microneedling for acne scars in Fleming Island: how Vivace may soften pitted scarring, what a session is like, how many visits you may need, and recovery.
Written by Julie Davis, Founder Medically reviewed by Emily Arnold, PA-C Updated October 16, 2026 4 min read
If frequent blemishes and acne are not difficult enough to deal with, many patients are also left with the pits and indentations they leave behind. Over-the-counter products do little to lessen the appearance of acne scars, which is why a skin care specialist may recommend more advanced treatment. At Pura Vida Medspa, Vivace is the device behind our RF microneedling service, and it is one of the tools we use to address the pitting and textural scarring that moderate to severe acne can cause.
Microneedling uses very fine needles to create controlled micro-channels in the skin, triggering the body’s natural healing response. Vivace adds radiofrequency energy through those channels, which helps it reach further into the skin. At our luxury medspa in Fleming Island, FL, our team can assess whether RF microneedling is the right approach for your acne scars, or whether another treatment would serve you better.
Why Acne Leaves Scars Behind
When a deep blemish heals, the skin does not always rebuild the collagen it lost. That shortfall leaves a dip or pit in the surface, which is what most people mean by acne scarring. Some scars are broad and rolling, some have sharper edges, and some are narrow and deep. The type and depth of your scarring shapes which treatment is likely to help most, and many people have a mix of all three. That is why we look closely at your skin in good light before recommending anything, rather than assuming one device fits every scar.
Acne does not always end after your teenage years, either. Many men and women see breakouts well into their 20s and beyond, and scarring can appear on the face, chest, and back. If breakouts are still active, an acne laser like Aerolase NeoClear can help get them under control first, since scar treatment works best on calm skin.
How Vivace RF Microneedling Works on Acne Scars
The Vivace is an FDA-cleared device that pairs microneedles with radiofrequency energy and LED light. The needles create precise channels, and the radiofrequency delivers gentle heat beneath the scar, which may encourage the skin to lay down new collagen and gradually lift depressed areas. For a closer look at the technology, our article on what makes Vivace unique walks through how it compares with classic microneedling.
Its depth control is part of why our providers choose it for scarring. Your provider can adjust how far the needles reach in different zones of the face, treating thicker cheek skin differently from thinner skin near the eyes or jaw. Results continue to improve over time with each session in a series, because collagen keeps remodeling for weeks after every treatment.
Is RF Microneedling Right for Your Acne Scars?
RF microneedling tends to suit people with rolling or shallow boxcar scars, enlarged pores, and rough texture who want meaningful improvement without a long recovery. It may also help with fine lines, uneven tone, and stretch marks, which is why many patients treat several concerns at once.
It is not the answer for every scar. Very deep or etched scarring may respond better to a resurfacing laser such as AcuPulse fractional CO2, which works deeper and asks for more downtime in return. During your one-on-one consultation, we assess your skin, talk through your goals, and tell you honestly which approach fits.
What to Expect During Your Session
When you arrive at our Fleming Island medspa, we lead you to a comfortable treatment room and cleanse the skin. A numbing cream is applied first so the session stays tolerable, and most patients describe the feeling as warmth and pressure. Your provider then passes the Vivace handpiece evenly over the treatment areas. Depending on how much skin is being treated, the session usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
Afterward, we may apply a growth factor or nutrient-rich serum, followed by moisturizer and sun protection, since your skin will be sensitive for a little while.
Recovery and Aftercare
Mild redness and swelling are normal and usually settle within a few days. Most patients go back to their regular routine soon after, and a lightweight mineral powder can help soften any lingering pinkness once your provider says it is safe to wear.
For the next several days, avoid strenuous exercise that makes you sweat, direct sun, and exfoliants or other harsh products that could irritate healing skin. Staying out of the sun before treatment matters too, since sunburned or tanned skin can slow healing and increase swelling.
When Will You See Results?
New collagen takes time to form, so acne scars soften gradually rather than overnight. Many patients start to notice visible improvement about one to two months after their first session. Acne scarring often needs more treatments than general texture concerns, and a common plan is several sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Your provider will recommend a number that fits your skin. To see how other patients have progressed, our before and after gallery is an honest place to start.
Book an Acne Scar Consultation in Fleming Island
Microneedling with radiofrequency may noticeably improve the texture of scarred skin, and our team will help you understand what is realistic for yours. Request an appointment at our luxury medspa in Fleming Island, just outside Jacksonville, FL, and we will map out a plan for your acne scars.
Frequently Asked Questions
RF Microneedling for Acne Scars: Common Questions
Which types of acne scars respond best to RF microneedling?
Rolling scars and shallow boxcar scars, the soft, wave-like dips and broad depressions acne can leave, tend to respond well because collagen rebuilt beneath them helps lift the surface. Narrow, deep icepick scars are harder to treat with any single tool, so your provider may suggest combining approaches or using a resurfacing laser for those areas.
Can I get RF microneedling while I still have active acne?
We usually want active breakouts under control first. Treating over inflamed blemishes can irritate the skin and spread bacteria, so your provider may recommend an acne-clearing plan before starting scar treatment. Once the skin is calm, RF microneedling can focus on the scarring left behind.
How many RF microneedling sessions do acne scars need?
Acne scarring often needs more sessions than general texture concerns. Many patients plan several treatments spaced four to six weeks apart, and the exact number depends on how deep and widespread the scarring is. Your provider will set a realistic plan at your consultation.
Will RF microneedling remove my acne scars completely?
Most patients see scars soften and the skin surface look smoother, but complete removal is not a realistic promise for any treatment. The goal is meaningful, visible improvement that makes scarring less noticeable in everyday light. We would rather set honest expectations than overpromise.
Is RF microneedling for acne scars safe on darker skin?
It is generally considered a good option for many skin tones, because the radiofrequency energy is delivered below the surface rather than across the top layer. Darker skin can still be prone to pigment changes after any procedure, so your provider will review your skin and adjust settings conservatively.
Can RF microneedling treat acne scars on the chest or back?
Acne scars on the face are the most common reason patients book, but scarring on the chest can be treated as well. Larger areas take longer and may cost more, so bring up every area you want addressed at your consultation and your provider will plan accordingly.
All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.
Authored & Medically Reviewed
Written by
Pura Vida's founder, with two decades of healthcare leadership and a master's in health administration — built on relentless education and rigorous technology vetting.
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Medically reviewed by
Physician Assistant-Certified
A board-certified physician assistant specializing in aesthetic medicine, with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Augusta University.
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