Acne Scarring

Acne scarring can be devastating and very problematic for both men and women of all ages. Acne scarring can be different from individual to individual and may also be more problematic for those with particular skin types or skin tone. In addition to permanent scarring from acne, there are also some more temporary skin discolorations and marks that can occur from acne that will usually clear up and disappear on their own. These marks include:

Post-inflammatory pigmentation – this is the darkening of the skin area around a lesion, pimple or site of inflammation. Most post-inflammatory pigmentation discoloration lasts for up to twelve months, but some discolorations can last as long as eighteen months. Chemical peels can be used to remove the darker pigments, as can dermabrasion treatments. Most pigmentation issues occur on those individuals with darker skin tones, however fair skinned people may also have reddish discoloration.

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Macules – these are the flat discolorations that remain on the surface of the skin for up to six months after the acne has occurred. Different from post-inflammatory pigmentation, these slight discolorations usually fade away in less than six months. Dermabrasion and chemical peels can speed up the process, but usually the skin’s natural shedding will eliminate the problem.

More severe scarring that actually changes the physical appearance of the skin is very problematic and requires more in-depth and intensive treatments. Usually these treatments involve removing the very fine surface layers of the skin until the blemish or scar is gradually removed from the surface. This may require numerous treatments depending on the severity of the scarring and depth of the scar. Scars may be one of two types: scars that increase tissue and are almost like small growths, called keloids; or scars that cause deep or minor pit-like scars. The following are scars that leave indented types of scars:

Ice-pick scars – these are usually seen as the multiple, irregular-shaped indentations on the surface of the skin of the cheeks, jaw and forehead. They may be treated with stretching the skin’s surface, dermabrasion or chemical peels, although this will be a lengthy process. Lasers may also be used to reduce the scarring.

Soft scars – these scars have less severe appearances and are often minimal, however they can be fairly deep and problematic. They can often be treated by dermabrasion and laser treatments and are the most easily minimized of all the types of scars.

Atrophic macules – are color changes in the skin around the acne that also cause a wrinkling of the actual tissue. This often results in a bluish scar that will increasingly turn white over time on fair skinned people.

Follicular macular atrophy – is more often seen on the chest and back, and results in slightly raised white ridges around the area where the acne was present. Usually, with time, these small ridges will shrink, but in some cases they remain noticeable for many years.

Understanding the various treatments for acne scarring depends on the type of scarring that is present. A dermatologist can help in providing information on the type of treatment that most effectively reduces the acne scarring present with the greatest chance of success.