Acne scars are commonly referred to as the marks left behind after severe acne. Acne scars come in various depths and sizes. They may be small and barely noticeable or very prominent. Prominent scars generally have a different texture from surrounding unaffected skin and can be in the form of pockmarks or depressions. Any pockmarks or indentations that appear are the result of an alteration in the skin’s collagen structure. Most acne scars tend to cause an indentation in the skin’s surface – a few will leave raised scars. There are several different kinds of acne scars:
Ice pick scars: These are deep, narrow scars that form pits in the skin and are the most common sign of acne scarring.
Box car scars: These are angular scars with well defined edges that usually appear on the temple and cheek area. These can be either superficial or deep and resemble chickenpox scars.
Rolling scars: These are wide, shallow scars that give the skin a wave-like appearance.
Keloid scars: Keloid scars are over-growths of collagen at the site of the wound that often form to be much larger than the original acne wound. Keloid scars are firm and rubbery to the touch and may itch.
Hypertrophic scars: These are raised scars that remain within the boundary of the original acne wound and are also formed by the overgrowth of collagen at the inflammation site.
Pigmentation scars: Not true scars. These are the result of nodular or cystic acne. They are inflamed red marks that nearly always fade away with time, however, pigmentation scars can be avoided if the nodule or cyst is treated and not aggravated (picked or squeezed).
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