Types of Acne Scars

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Did you know that about 50 million people in the United States have acne between 11 and 44? That might make you feel a little bit better knowing that you’re not alone.

If you’re an acne-prone individual, you likely know all too well about the difficulties in getting rid of acne scars that can occur from unfortunate outbreaks.

We’ll explain some of these and what you can do to treat the different types of acne scars if you’re dealing with them. Keep reading to get the lowdown.

Atrophic Scars

Atrophic scars are one of the types of acne scars that are most commonly seen. These scars occur when the affected area loses its natural tissue due to acne. This can result from an overly aggressive inflammatory response to an acne lesion or collagen destruction.

Icepick Scars

These deep, narrow scars can appear as small holes created when bacteria inside a pimple get into the skin and cause deep indentations and depressions. Icepick scars are usually more noticeable than other types of scarring.

It can cause irregular texture, pitting, and indentations that can be hard to disguise with makeup. This type of scarring can sometimes be more severe than other types, depending on the size and depth.

Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are shallow, rolling depressions in the skin that create unevenness in the skin’s surface. They often look like indentations in the skin, much like a golf ball or the surface of an orange.

These scars form when the top layer of the skin begins to sag after inflamed acne lesions end in the middle layer of the skin. Rolling scars are usually mild and fairly easy to treat.

Laser resurfacing treatments, dermal fillers, and skin excisions can help to fill in the scarred area and encourage collagen production.

Boxcar Scars

Boxcar scars are one of the four main types of acne scars. They are often compared to chickenpox scars. However, they are usually deeper and wider. Boxcar scars are usually round or oval with very sharp edges.

They look like indentations in the skin, appear in clusters, and range in size from pinpricks to large crevices. The severity may vary, and deeper boxcar scars may appear almost crater-like.

The good news is that boxcar scars can be treated with scar removal treatment, fillers, or chemical peels. These acne scar treatments can also help improve boxcar scars’ appearance. It can also include dermabrasion and microdermabrasion to remove dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of the scars.

Educate Yourself With the Types of Acne Scars

There are different types of acne scars which can affect us physically and mentally. Treatments range from topical creams to laser surgeries.

Everyone’s struggles with acne and scars are unique, but options exist. Talk to your dermatologist to find the best treatment plan for you.

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