Pimples and Blackheads
Acne scars often lead to complications that can affect the individual's emotional well-being. More than physical scars, it can leave psychological scars that last a lifetime.
Acne cases range from mild to severe and, as a result, the signs and symptoms also vary. While pimples, blackheads and other types of acne can leave physical scars and discoloration on the skin, acne also can leave emotional scars that can take years to overcome.
Acne scars serve as a visible reminder of past whiteheads, cysts and blackheads. Mild acne usually does not leave scars, unless pimples are squeezed or "popped." More severe forms of inflammatory acne, such as cystic acne, can lead to the rupture of nodules and abscesses, which can result in scarring that remains for weeks or a lifetime.
Acne scarring often has a genetic component, so if you come from a family that tends to scar easily, acne scars could be a problem for you. Yet, the extent and severity of acne scars varies from person to person. Acne scars range from tiny, deep holes to wider pits to large, irregular indentations. The most common types of acne scars are caused by tissue loss in the area of the pimple. Some of these are small ice-pick scars, usually appearing on the cheek, which can evolve into fibrotic scars that are often large and deep with jagged edges. Other types of acne scars include soft scars with sloping edges that merge with normal skin, and atrophic macules (a type of scarring specific to acne) that may appear bluish and change over time to ivory white. Follicular macular atrophy, scars that commonly occur on the chest or back, resembles whiteheads that have not fully developed and may persist for long periods.
Discoloration
Discoloration of the skin, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, can occur in the area of an inflamed acne lesion when it has healed or is healing, and is triggered by an increase in melanin, the substance that gives the skin its color. While most commonly found in individuals with darker skin, discoloration can also occur in people with lighter skin. Post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation can persist for as long as 18 months after the initial acne has been treated, especially in cases where there has been extended sun exposure. For more information about this condition, see the acne scars page.
Psychological
Acne scars often lead to complications that can affect the individual's emotional well-being. More than physical scars, it can leave psychological scars that last a lifetime. Because acne is disfiguring to varying degrees, it can lead to social withdrawal, low self-esteem and depression.
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Pimples, blackheads and other symptoms of acne don't always disappear with age. Go to the next page to learn about the causes and treatment of adult acne.