Acne Scars
An acne lesion that becomes infected and forms a cyst deep in the skin can leave an acne scar if it is not treated.
Causes of Acne Scars
Acne scars occur as a result of the skin's post-inflammatory reactions to pimples. The body reacts to this inflammation as it would to any injury. When the body's defense mechanisms move to the site of the injury (or inflammation) to fight infection, the area may be left with scar tissue that can remain for weeks, months or longer. Therefore, an acne lesion that becomes infected and forms a cyst deep in the skin can leave an acne scar if it is not treated. The severity and duration of acne scarring varies widely. If your genetic makeup makes you susceptible to scarring, acne scars may remain for a lifetime.
How to Prevent Acne Scars
The best acne scar prevention is vigilant treatment at the onset of acne. It is also important to avoid irritating the skin with hard scrubbing or the use of harsh skin care products. Maintaining a "hands-off" policy is the best way to prevent certain kinds of acne scars. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises that picking, scratching, popping or squeezing pimples can create inflammation that can result in acne scarring. It's important to seek out the care and advice of a dermatologist if you are experiencing severe breakouts or cysts that can cause scarring.
Types of Acne Scars
Certain types of inflammatory acne, such as cystic acne, can leave scars in their wake, but milder forms of acne can leave scars after healing, too. Some types of acne scars are identified by their appearance. For example:
- Ice-pick scars get their name from their steep sides that resemble ice-pick wounds. These deep-pitted scars may be superficial or deep and may vary in texture.
- Rolling acne scars have a wave-like or rolling appearance and are caused by tissue bands that form between the skin's surface and the tissue below.
Acne scars also are classified by the way that skin tissue reacts to irritation.
- Increased tissue formation can cause scars called hypertrophic and keloid scars, which are elevated above the skin and can appear swollen.
- Scars caused by tissue loss are more common. One example of this type of acne scar is an atrophic scar, which is actually a skin depression or indentation.
Scarring vs. Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Another reminder that may be left at the site of a healed or healing acne lesion is a condition called post-inflammatory pigmentation. Most often found in people with darker skin, this is actually a discoloration of the skin at the site of an inflammatory wound. The condition is triggered by an increase in melanin, the substance that gives the skin its color. Post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation may remain for a year or longer after the acne has healed, but unlike acne scarring, it does not mark the skin permanently.
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After you have identified the cause and types of acne scars, you can learn how to treat them. Go to the next page to learn about nonsurgical acne scar treatments.