What causes acne scarring?
Acne damages the skin's tissue and the top layer of the skin. This causes the skin to try and repair itself by producing collagen, which helps to replace the tissue that has been damaged. However, too much or too little collagen production can lead to acne scarring.
With inadequate collagen, the skin will not develop enough tissue to repair the damage, leading to skin depressions called atrophic scars. On the other hand, excessive collagen production may lead to raised scars, also known as hypertrophic scars.
Factors that increase one’s risk of developing acne scarring include:
- Genetics – Sometimes, acne scarring has a hereditary factor and those with a family of acne scarring may be more likely to also develop acne scars.
- Picking or popping acne – This can push the debris further down into deeper layers of the skin, leading to deeper damage and slower healing.
- Sun exposure – Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause hyperpigmentation, making acne marks darker and more noticeable.
- Puberty – Hormonal changes during puberty may put one at a higher risk of getting acne breakouts, which in turn, makes one more prone to scarring.
- Delaying or not treating inflammatory acne – Inflammatory acne causes deeper and more severe damage to the skin, which increases the risk of more serious scarring. Prompt treatment from a dermatologist will lower the risk and intensity of that effect.
What are the types of acne scars?
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Atrophic scars – These are depressions in the skin caused by not having enough collagen while healing. This type of acne scar is divided into three subtypes:
- Ice pick scars – The most common type of atrophic scars, these scars are small but create deep holes in the skin, sometimes resembling a “V” shape.
- Boxcar scars – These scars are round or oval-shaped with sharp edges and look like chicken pox scars.
- Rolling scars – These scars are very shallow with soft, smooth edges. They create wide depressions in the skin with a rolling or uneven appearance, like an “M” pattern.
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Hypertrophic and keloid scars – These are raised scars that occur when the body produces too much collagen during the healing process, resulting in the overgrowth of scar tissue. They are commonly found in the chest, back, or jawline.
How can I get rid of acne scars?
While acne scars do not affect one’s physical health, they can have a negative impact on one’s confidence.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments available to make acne scars appear lighter and more even in texture.
The treatment for acne scars depends on the type of scarring and its severity. Some well-established treatments
include laser treatments and subcutaneous incisions (subcision). These procedures are best performed by
dermatologists for optimal safety and efficacy.
In short, our Acne and Acne Scar Treatment Program consists of:
Clearance
Active acne must first be cleared with the appropriate washes, medicinal creams, skin care routine,
and/or oral medication (which includes oral antibiotics, oral isotretinoin or contraceptive pills),
and sometimes microdermabrasion, and laser treatment (eg Smoothbeam laser).
Control
Once clearance is achieved, continuous control with the appropriate products and skin care routine
are essential to prevent or minimize future relapse.
Correction
Red marks, brown marks, raised acne scars and depressed acne scars left behind by acne can be
treated with a wide range of clinical procedures and lasers without unnecessary downtime:
