Acne

Many patients think that when they have acne under control, another problem arises, this is the terrible acne scars. Acne scars can be an enduring reminder of challenging skin days, impacting self-esteem. Emerging as a consequence of untreated or severe acne, these scars come in various forms, ranging from subtle indentations to more pronounced depressions on the skin’s surface.

An acne scar treatment is an aesthetic, non-surgical treatment that revises the skin’s condition to correct uneven tone or texture caused by scarring. There are several treatments to choose from, but the best treatment for you is the one that addresses your specific type of scar and matches well with your skin type and tone. When we make our acne scar treatment recommendations, we consider every aspect of your skin so you can love the skin you’re in again.

Acne scars are the marks left on your skin after acne has healed. Typically, scarring happens when the skin tries to heal inflammation caused by active acne before the acne has gone away. Collagen loss and tissue damage during the acne healing process contribute to scar formation. Scarring can also be caused by exposure to the sun, repeated acne in the same area, or skin habits like picking or popping pimples.

Scars comes in many forms, so both your skin type and the type of acne you are dealing with will determine how your skin scars after acne. As a note, while some scarring may fade by itself, such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, most scars don’t go away on their own and will require treatment. Some common scars include: *Hyperpigmentation *Dark spots *Enlarged pores *Icepick scars *Rolling scars *Boxcar scars

Hyperpigmentation refers to the darkening of the skin due to an excess of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. In the context of acne, hyperpigmentation often manifests as flat, discolored spots that result from the inflammation and healing process associated with acne lesions.

Enlarged pores are not scars in the traditional sense but can contribute to an uneven skin texture. They often result from the dilation of hair follicles and oil glands during acne outbreaks. The increased production of oil, combined with the inflammation of surrounding tissues, can stretch the pores, making them more noticeable and giving the skin a rougher appearance.

Icepick scars are deep, narrow pits that resemble small puncture wounds on the skin’s surface. These scars typically result from severe cystic acne that causes damage to the skin’s deeper layers.

Rolling scars create a wave-like or undulating texture on the skin. These scars are characterized by broad depressions with sloping edges, which give the skin a rolling or wavy appearance.

Boxcar scars are broader depressions with well-defined edges, resembling the appearance of chickenpox scars. These scars often result from inflammatory acne and are characterized by their box-like shape.

Pigmented scars are the dark spots, red spots, or flat hyperpigmentation that is left behind after acne heals; pigmented scars only affect the upper layers of the skin.