Have you ever noticed that some people with acne have a lot of scarring while others have no scarring? Whether or not you get a scar from acne is dependent on a number of factors, including:
- Acne type – The more inflamed the acne, the more likely it is to scar.
- Where you have the acne – For example, the chest is more likely to scar.
- Individual biology – Some people simply scar more easily than others.
- Person’s tendency to pick at lesions – This can increase the inflammation and therefore scarring.
- How the acne is treated – For example, no treatment at all, over-the-counter creams, prescription medication, etc.
ACNE SCAR TYPES
Different types of acne scars arise depending on the amount of damage done to the skin and how the skin repairs itself from the damage. Most people tend to have more than one type of acne scarring:
- Hypertrophic – A thickened, red raised lump above the surrounding skin; occurs when the body overproduces collagen in response to an injury to the skin. Raised scars are less common in acne patients than atrophic scars.
- Atrophic – A sunken scar that results when there is a loss of skin tissue, creating a pockmarked look to the skin.
- Ice Pick – The skin has an obvious hole, looking like it was pierced by an ice pick or other sharp instrument; caused by an inflammatory breakout.
- Boxcar – A depressed acne scar, round in shape with steeply angled sides similar to a chickenpox scar; occurs when an inflamed lesion destroys tissue, creating a sunken area.
- Rolling – A wider, shallow scar caused by damage under the surface of the skin, giving the skin a rolling, wave-like appearance.
ACNE SCAR TREATMENTS
Ideally your acne should be well controlled before undergoing any scar treatment. In general, better results are seen with treating the scars of younger patients, mostly due to younger skin having better healing properties.
There are a few different options for the treatment of acne scarring. The most successful results are seen with laser therapy, with technologies such as the Gemini, V-Beam and Fraxel lasers. Your doctor will determine which laser is the best fit for your needs. Dermal filler may also be used to fill atrophied (sunken) areas.
Surgical removal of scarring is used as a last resort when other treatments have been unsuccessful. A dermatologist will sometimes use subsicion for deep-seated scars. This technique utilizes a needle under the scar to help free up underlying tissue, allowing the skin to become smooth again as the healing process takes place.
As with many skin rejuvenation treatments, it might be necessary to perform several treatments over a period of time in order to achieve your desired results.
If you have acne scars that are causing you to be self-conscious, contact us to make an appointment with one of our dermatologists to learn about your treatment options.