Different Types Of Acne Scars

Most of us in our teens and twenties are affected by acne, while older people are mostly unaffected by this problem. Acne sometimes leaves ugly scars in its victims while the more fortunate ones suffer no such permanent effects. When an acne lesion is cured, it can leave a red or hyperpigmented mark on the skin; this, in fact, suggests that a healing process is in progress. If no more acne lesions appear in that area, the skin can heal normally. But if a color change or skin defect persists for over a year, it is a permanent acne scar. 

Acne may be mild such as whiteheads or blackheads that most of us get at various times; moderately severe, including red inflamed pimples called papules and red pimples with white centers called pustules; severe, which causes painful, pus-filled cysts or lumps to come up under the skin; and the most severe one that leaves permanent scars. Acne scars have been classified into five different types: ice pick scars, box car scars, rolling scars, hypertrophic scars, and also pigmented scars. Such classification of acne scars into different types actually helps in identifying the appropriate method to treat them. The type of the skin also plays a key role in choosing the right method of treatment. 

Among the different types of acne scars, the most common are ice pick scars. These scars look like deep pits. Ice pick scars are narrow and sharp as though the skin has been punctured with an ice pick. Box car scars are the types that usually appear on the cheeks and the temple. Resembling chicken pox cars to some extent, these angular scars may be quite shallow or even deep. Rolling scars give the skin of the victim a rolling or undulating look. Hypertrophic scars are the types that are thickened or keloid. Keloid means a raised scar tissue caused by excessive tissue repair. 

Pigmented scars are usually the result of nodular or cystic acne (the painful 'bumps' that lies beneath the skin). These scars leave behind an inflamed red mark, but one can often avoid them by not making any attempts whatsoever to pick, pop or itch the cyst or nodule. Most of these scars mercifully disappear with time taking between 3 months and two years to fade away completely. However, these scars can persist only in rare cases. 

Those who have naturally tanned skin may develop brown hyperpigmnentation scars because of excessive production of the pigment melanin. But these scars also fade away with time. 

There are a number of methods for the treatment of acne scars. Each procedure has its pros and cons, and in most cases, a number of them are combined for effective treatment of these scars. Among these methods are dermal fillers, punch excision, punch excision with skin graft replacement, punch elevation, subcutaneous incision, and laser resurfacing. The doctor will recommend the best treatment option for you after examining your scars. 

But you, on your part, should refrain from loading up your face with masks or fancy, popular lotions. Instead of helping your cause, it will cause further irritation on your skin and make your acne scars red and even more prominent.



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