Acne Scarring
Textural and pigment changes left behind after inflammatory acne.
Overview
Acne scarring develops when inflammation damages collagen in the dermis. Scars may be atrophic (icepick, boxcar, rolling) or raised, and are often accompanied by post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Common symptoms
Scarring
Textural change remaining after skin injury.
Skin texture change
Roughness, bumpiness or loss of smoothness.
Dark patches
Areas of darker pigment than surrounding skin.
Why it happens
Deep or prolonged inflammation, delayed treatment of active acne, picking or squeezing lesions, and genetic predisposition.
Self-care that helps
Protect skin daily with SPF 50 to limit pigment darkening, and treat active acne before starting resurfacing treatments.
When to seek advice
Speak to a dermatologist if scarring is affecting your confidence or if you still have active acne alongside scarring.
Treatment options
Specialists who treat this
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Questions people ask
- Can acne scars be removed completely?
- Complete removal is rare. Most protocols achieve a fifty to eighty percent improvement in scar depth and texture.