Understanding 3 Types of Acne Scars

An acne scar is the scar left behind by a preceding infection like a spot, blemish or a pimple. Acne most usually impacts the neck, face, shoulders and upper back.

The color can be reddish, purplish or even brownish. Most are stimulated by improper treatment to clear acne. Next are the primary types of acne scarring:

- Icepick Acne Scars

This is the most type of acne scar which appear mostly on the cheek. Ice pick scars comprise hard, irregular jagged borders and often the depth is also irregular. It is commonly too deep to repair with skin resurfacing treatments such as dermabrasion or laser resurfacing. The shallower character can be reinforced by stretching the skin.

- Rolling Acne Scars

Rolling scars come out as undulations in the skin. Traditional skin resurfacing techniques do not work effectively on this scar. Rolling scars have a wave-like look on skin. It is normally caused by tethering of the skin to underlying structures. It is able to be reinforced by breaking up the subcutaneous fibrous bands.

- Boxcar Acne Scars

Boxcar acne scar is superficial punched out scars that feature sharp vertical edges on cross section, and might look round or oval shaped. It is generally happening on the temple and cheeks, and usually deep or superficial. Shallow boxcar scars are 0.1-0.5 mm deep and can normally be treated with traditional skin resurfacing techniques. Deep boxcar scars are 0.5 mm deep and involve full-thickness treatment techniques.

Punch incision is an advanced way of taking care of boxcar scars since it is a variety of full thickness treatment technique.

Even though there are huge varieties of acne treatment options, there is no best acne treatment that applies in effect for everybody. This is as each person has distinct skin types. The effectiveness of a particular acne treatment product varies based on the person as well.

By Ron San