Acne is a common condition that causes blocked pores, pimples, cysts, and other lesions on the skin. While most common in teenagers, it can affect people of all ages, often appearing on the face, neck, chest, back, shoulders, and upper arms.

For many patients, once acne lesions clear, they can leave behind discoloration and indentations. Severe acne may lead to scarring, which varies from person to person. Some may have small, flat scars, while others may develop more noticeable, indented scars. Acne scarring is most often caused by larger lesions, such as cysts or nodules, which can swell and rupture, breaking the pore wall. Infected material from the lesion can spill into nearby healthy tissue, resulting in a scar.

Although not harmful, many people seek treatment to remove or reduce the appearance of these scars.

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Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars vary in appearance and texture depending on the original lesions. Each type may require a different treatment to repair damaged skin and restore a smooth, clear appearance.

Atrophic Scars
Atrophic scars form due to tissue loss. Common types include ice pick scars and boxcar scars. Ice pick scars are narrow indentations that extend deep into the skin, resembling punctures from an ice pick. Boxcar scars are round depressions similar to chickenpox scars and may be shallow or deep, depending on the severity of the acne.

Hypertrophic Scars
Hypertrophic scars result from excess collagen production during healing, creating raised tissue on the skin. Also called rolling scars, they give the skin a wave-like appearance caused by bands of tissue pulling the epidermis down in certain areas.

Acne Scar Treatment

Treatment depends on scar type, severity, and the patient’s skin and desired results. Options include:

  • Tissue fillers to smooth depressed scars
  • Dermabrasion and microneedling to remove surface scars or reduce deeper scars
  • Laser treatments and chemical peels to remove the skin’s surface layer and promote new cell growth
  • Medical-grade skin care to speed up cell turnover

Often, a combination of treatments is most effective. Treating acne scars can be complex and may require multiple approaches.

Preventing Acne Scars

Preventing scars involves stopping lesions from forming and avoiding picking or popping active acne, which can lead to infection and increase scarring risk. Picking scabs should also be avoided to allow natural healing. Sun exposure can further damage the skin and delay healing, so it should be minimized.

Some patients are naturally prone to scarring and may not be able to prevent it entirely. Fortunately, many treatments are available to reduce the appearance of acne scars and rejuvenate the skin.