Acne scars are caused by the breakouts of pimples and also by makeup mistakes. This happens when clogged pores and oil glands in your skin become inflamed, usually because of an overproduction of sebum. When you have acne, your body tries to flush out these bacteria and dead skin cells by producing more sebum. 

If your pores become blocked, it can cause blackheads or whiteheads to form under the surface of your skin. Severe acne scarring is often caused by inflammation that occurs deep below your skin’s surface. Your skin needs the best skincare products.

Acne is a bigger problem than injuries.BRIAN CLOUGH

What Are Acne Scars?

Acne scars are a type of scar that results from inflammatory acne. Acne scars occur when the sebaceous follicle becomes clogged, causing the walls to rupture and release oil into the surrounding tissue. This causes inflammation in the skin and can lead to the formation of redness, swelling, and pain.

The symptoms of acne are usually easy to recognize; however, it can be more difficult for some people to identify their acne scarring and determine what kind they have developed. To achieve optimal recovery from your condition in as short a time as possible, understanding how you can spot different types of scars on your face is crucial so that you know exactly where treatment should begin.

Types Of Acne Scars With Pictures 

After gaining an understanding of what acne scars are, the next step is to become familiar with the various types of acne scars.

The most common acne scars are as follows:

Atrophic Scars

atrophic-scars

Atrophic scars are the result of a loss of collagen and are generally flat, depressed, and have irregular borders. They’re redder than normal skin, as well. These types of acne scars are more common in people with darker skin.

They’re also more common in people with oily skin and in those who have had severe acne.

Boxcar Scars

boxcar-scars

Box car scars are the most common type of acne scar. They’re called “box” scars because they look like a box or rectangular shape, with vertical sides and one flat side (the top). Box car scars are caused by deep, wide pits in the skin that have been precipitated by inflammation and infection within the hair follicle.

Box car scars can be very noticeable; they often appear red and raised, giving them an elevated appearance compared to your other skin. Though box car scars tend to be more prominent on darker-skinned people, they aren’t limited to this demographic; anyone can get them—even fair-skinned folks who don’t burn easily should be vigilant about sun protection during their recovery period!

Ice Pick Scars

ice-pick-scars

Ice-pick acne scars are small, deep holes that look like pin pricks. They are very common and are usually caused by inflammation of the skin. Ice-pick acne scars can be treated with dermabrasion or laser resurfacing. 

Ice-pick acne scars are small, deep holes that look like pin pricks. They can be caused by inflammation of the skin and are very common. Ice-pick acne scars can be treated with dermabrasion or laser resurfacing.

Rolling Scars

rolling-scars

Rolling scars are the most common types of acne scars, and they are caused by damage to the skin’s dermis.

They are raised and red, but they are not as deep as ice-pick scars. Rolling scars can be round or oval-shaped and look like a wave went through your skin (hence their name). 

These types of acne scars can be treated with dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, or other surgical procedures to help flatten them out.

Rolling acne scars are deep, narrow pits in the skin. These types of acne scars can be treated with dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, or other surgical procedures to help flatten them out.

Hypertrophic vs Keloid Scars – The Scar Debate 

Scars that form above the surface of the skin are referred to as keloid and hypertrophic scars, respectively. 

Do you remember how atrophic scars develop because there is insufficient collagen? On the other hand, the opposite problem can occur in hypertrophic and keloid scars.

Keloids expand beyond the borders of the initial injury and do not fade away over time, whereas hypertrophic scars tend to stay put around the injury site. 

A histological examination reveals that hypertrophic scars have collagen in a wavelike, regular pattern, whereas keloids display no such pattern. 

Keloid Scars

keloid-scar

The body produces an abnormally high amount of collagen, and as a result, this protein accumulates on top of the initial wound. The answer to this question is that keloids and hypertrophic scars have very different characteristics.

It is the overproduction of scar tissue that causes the keloid scar, which is a firm, smooth, hard growth. In most cases, keloid formation follows a skin injury, but in rare cases, keloid formation can occur spontaneously in the absence of any significant prior skin injury. 

They can form anywhere on the body and spread past the site of the initial injury; however, the face, shoulders, ears, and neck are particularly vulnerable.

Hypertrophic Scars

types-of-acne-scars-hypertrophic

Hypertrophic scars, in contrast to keloid scars, are confined to the site of injury. A thicker-than-normal scar results when there is a lot of pressure on a healing wound. In contrast to the persistent nature of keloids, hypertrophic scars often fade and disappear over time.

Hypertrophic scars/keloids are discussed in this activity, along with the evaluation and management of these conditions and the important role that the interdisciplinary team plays in both areas.

What Type of Acne Scar is Most Difficult to Treat?

The treatment for icepick acne scarring is considered to be the most challenging type of acne scarring. Ice pick scars are disfiguring wounds with a V-shaped profile that penetrate the skin to a significant depth. They frequently take the form of tiny oval holes, much like the scars left behind by chicken pox.

Acne scars are some of the most difficult skin conditions to treat due to the above-mentioned characteristics. The deeper they go under the surface of the skin, the more difficult it is to heal them.

When To See A Dermatologist?

If you have severe acne, a dermatologist can help you manage it. If you have scarring from your previous breakouts, a dermatologist can help treat and remove them. If you’re experiencing hyperpigmentation (darker skin tone) or keloid scars (thickened skin), a dermatologist may be able to help advise you on how to deal with these issues.

FAQs

How Are Boxcar Scars Developed?

Boxcar scars are typically the result of chronic, inflammatory acne, and the way in which the skin heals during and after acne treatment can influence their formation. These scars occur when the body fails to produce sufficient collagen during the healing process, leading to the inflamed lesion sinking further into the skin.

What Causes Hypertrophic Scars?

Hypertrophic scars are caused by the trauma to the skin, such as cuts, scrapes, or burns, can also lead to the development of hypertrophic scars.

What Causes Ice Pick Scars?

Ice pick scars are often the result of an inflammatory breakout, such as a deep papule or cyst, that has caused damage to the skin’s structures. They tend to occur most frequently on the cheeks.

What Causes Rolling Scars?

Rolling scars are caused by bands of scar tissue that form beneath the skin, resulting in a rolling, uneven appearance on the surface. They also occur due to dermal tethering to the subcutaneous tissue.

What Are The Features Of Persistent Scarring?

Elevation: Persistent scars may be raised or elevated above the surrounding skin.
Depressed: Persistent scars may be sunken or depressed below the surrounding skin.
Thickness: Persistent scars may be thicker or more rigid than the surrounding skin.
Redness: Persistent scars may be red or pink, due to increased blood flow and inflammation.
Itchiness: Persistent scars may be itchy or painful.
Textural changes: Persistent scars may have a different texture than the surrounding skin, such as being smoother or rougher.
Discoloration: Persistent scars may be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.

Conclusion

In conclusion, different types of acne scars are treatable with different methods. However, a few goes away completely and some stays forever. 

It’s essential to identify the type of acne scarring you have in order to determine the most effective treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available for acne scars, including topical creams, microneedling, laser therapy, and surgery. 

It’s a good idea to speak with a dermatologist or other qualified healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for your specific case. 

With the right treatment, it is possible to improve the appearance of acne scars and boost your self-confidence. So, don’t let acne scars hold you back—take control and seek out the right treatment for you.

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