Juvelook builds collagen with an injectable, while Potenza remodels scar tissue with RF microneedling. Here is how they compare for acne scars, and why many plans in Seoul use both.
For most acne scars, Potenza RF microneedling is the stronger single treatment because heat delivered through fine needles remodels scar tissue and tightens pores, with two to four days of redness. Juvelook, a PDLLA collagen stimulator, is gentler and especially helps shallow rolling scars and overall texture, with small bumps for one to three days. Many doctors combine them for the best result. Both usually need about three sessions. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong in Seoul, Juvelook starts from ₩299,000 (2cc) and Potenza from ₩299,000 (full face), excluding 10% VAT.
Prices are in Korean won, exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed by a doctor at consultation.
Juvelook vs Potenza: how do they work on acne scars?
Depressed acne scars form when inflammation destroys collagen, leaving a dip in the skin. Sometimes fibrous bands also pull the surface down. Both Juvelook and Potenza aim to rebuild collagen, but they do it differently.
- Juvelook, from Vaim Global in Korea, is an injectable that combines PDLLA with hyaluronic acid. Placed in the dermis under and around scars, the PDLLA particles stimulate new collagen over two to three months, gradually lifting the base of shallow scars and smoothing texture.
- Potenza, from Cynosure, is a radiofrequency (RF) microneedling device. Fine needles enter the skin to a set depth and release RF energy at the tips, heating the deeper layers. This remodels scar tissue, can loosen tethered bands and stimulates collagen while the surface stays largely intact.
Put simply, Juvelook adds a collagen-building material, while Potenza uses controlled injury and heat to remodel what is already there. See our Juvelook and Potenza treatment pages.
Which acne scars does each treat best?
| Scar type | Juvelook | Potenza |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling (soft, wave-like) | Good, especially shallow ones | Good |
| Shallow boxcar | Moderate | Good |
| Deep boxcar | Limited alone | Moderate; often combined with other methods |
| Ice pick | Limited | Limited alone |
| Enlarged pores with scars | Moderate | Good |
| Active acne alongside scars | Not a treatment for acne | Can also help active acne |
General guidance. Most people have mixed scar types, so a doctor maps them before planning.
Flat red or brown marks are not true scars and respond better to lasers or light treatments; see post-acne marks.
Why combine Juvelook and Potenza?
Many doctors in Korea treat acne scars with a layered plan because no single tool fixes every scar. Potenza remodels the scar tissue and surface, while Juvelook adds collagen-building support from within. Together they can improve depth, texture and pores more evenly than either alone.
Common approaches include Potenza and Juvelook staged a few weeks apart, or Potenza followed by a booster delivered through the microchannels in the same session. Your doctor will choose the order based on how your skin heals and how long you are in Seoul. Our acne scar treatment plan explains typical sequences.
For deeper boxcar scars that do not respond enough to Potenza and Juvelook, your doctor may also discuss CO2 fractional laser, which resurfaces the skin more aggressively but needs about five to seven days of downtime. Ice pick scars are the hardest to improve with any of these tools and often need targeted techniques that your doctor will explain at consultation.
It is also worth knowing that scar treatment is a long game. Collagen keeps maturing for months after each session, so the improvement you see three months after your last treatment is usually better than what you see in the first few weeks. Setting expectations early, and planning return visits if needed, helps you get the most from each session without rushing.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Juvelook | Potenza |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Injection | RF microneedling device |
| Session time | About 30–45 minutes plus numbing | 40–60 minutes including numbing |
| Typical plan | 2–3 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart | About 3 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart |
| Downtime | Small bumps for 1–3 days | Redness for 2–4 days |
| Results | Build over 2–3 months | Build over weeks to months |
| Main specific risk | Nodules if placed too superficially | Pigmentation changes if sun-exposed |
Who is a good candidate?
Usually a good fit
- Rolling or shallow boxcar scars on the cheeks and temples
- Scars with enlarged pores and rough texture
- Acne that is controlled or mild
- Patience for gradual change over a series
Talk to the doctor first
- Active, inflamed cystic acne
- Recent isotretinoin use
- History of keloids or raised scarring
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or skin infection
If you still have frequent breakouts, controlling acne usually comes first. Our Acne Clinic Program is designed for active acne.
What happens on treatment day
- Scar mapping. A licensed doctor examines your scars under angled light and identifies their types and depth.
- Plan and price. The doctor explains what is realistic during your stay, in English, and confirms the price before treatment.
- Numbing. Topical numbing cream for 30–40 minutes.
- Treatment. Potenza passes over each area with depth and energy adjusted to your scars; Juvelook is injected in small amounts under and around scars.
- Soothing and aftercare. Cooling or a calming mask, then written English aftercare and a contact for questions.
Results timeline
- Days 0–4: Potenza leaves redness and mild swelling, sometimes with tiny grid marks. Juvelook leaves small bumps that settle within one to three days.
- Weeks 2–4: skin looks fresher and texture slightly smoother, but scar change is still early.
- Months 1–3: collagen builds and scars gradually look shallower. This is when most people notice a meaningful difference.
- After the series: improvement continues to mature for several months.
Scars improve by degrees rather than disappearing. Before-and-after photos in the same light are the fairest way to judge. See Potenza results.
Is it safe? Risks and side effects
Both treatments are widely used for acne scars by trained medical staff. Expected effects are redness, swelling, tenderness and small bumps.
- Potenza: temporary dryness or flaking, rare infection, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is more likely in darker skin tones or with sun exposure. Energy settings are tailored to skin type to lower this risk.
- Juvelook: small nodules or lumps if placed too superficially or mixed inadequately; bruising; rare infection or vascular complications. Read does Juvelook cause lumps.
Avoid saunas, alcohol, intense exercise and active skincare for a few days, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.
How much do Juvelook and Potenza cost in Seoul (2026)?
| Treatment | Plan | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| Juvelook | 2cc, one zone such as both cheeks | ₩299,000 |
| Juvelook | 4cc, full face | ₩549,000 |
| Potenza | Full face, 1 session | ₩299,000 |
| Potenza | Full face with booster | ₩399,000 |
| Potenza | 3-session course | ₩799,000 |
Prices exclude 10% VAT. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on January 1, 2026 — see payment & tax. See the Potenza price page for details.
Planning acne scar treatment around your Seoul trip
- Treat early in your trip. Potenza redness lasts two to four days, so book it in the first half of your stay.
- Plan the series. One session is a start; many visitors complete the next sessions on return trips four to six weeks apart.
- Avoid your arrival day to leave a buffer for delays.
- Location: Dernia is in Myeongdong, near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2).
- Book ahead with clear photos of your scars through our consultation form.
Can't complete the series in one trip? That is normal for acne scars. Ask your doctor for a written plan you can continue later. See what if I can't finish a series.
Frequently asked questions
Is Juvelook or Potenza better for acne scars?
Potenza is usually the stronger single treatment for most scar types, while Juvelook especially helps shallow rolling scars and texture. Many doctors combine them for the best overall result.
Can I do Juvelook and Potenza together?
Yes. They are often staged a few weeks apart or combined in one plan. Your doctor decides the order based on your skin.
How much downtime does Potenza have?
Expect redness and mild swelling for about two to four days.
How many sessions will I need?
Usually about three sessions of Potenza and two to three of Juvelook, spaced four to six weeks apart.
Will my acne scars go away completely?
Complete removal is unlikely. The realistic goal is a meaningful softening of scar depth and smoother texture.
What do they cost at Dernia?
Juvelook starts from ₩299,000 for 2cc and Potenza from ₩299,000 for the full face, both excluding 10% VAT.
Planning acne scar treatment in Seoul?
Send photos of your scars and your travel dates. A doctor maps your scars in person, explains Juvelook and Potenza in English and confirms your plan and price.
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This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.