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What is Acne Scarring?
Acne scarring occurs as a result of acne activity usually when it has been prolonged or severe, although in some individuals it may occur with only minor acne.
Is Acne Scarring Preventable?
Acne should be treated early and adequately. Acne is more likely to go on to scar if it has been left untreated or inadequately treated. This may involve a general practitioner or if difficult or severe early referral to a dermatologist may be suggested. A family history of severe acne or acne scarring may be an indication for early referral to see a dermatologist.
Are There Different Kinds of Acne Scars?
Acne may produce marks that are flat but discoloured – either red or brown. These marks usually heal without treatment. If they fail to settle relatively simple treatments can be beneficial. However, acne scarring is commonly more significant than this.
Acne may produce scars that are thickened or more commonly indented or depressed. Thickened scars are more common on the jawline, back and chest. Indented scars may occur anywhere but especially occur on the temples, cheeks and chin. Indented scars may be sharply “punched out”, and are called ice pick scars, or may be more gently sloping softer scars. They may take on a variety of shapes, patterns and sizes. Occasionally the scarring is severe enough that the structure of the skin appears dissolved away and patients will have broad and deep scars.
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Ice Pick Scars |
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Thickened raised scars may occur
on the jawline, chest and back |
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Indented deep scarring |
What Happens to These Scars Over Time?
Less severe scarring usually improves with time. More severe scarring does not tend to improve with ageing and may become worse.
Is Acne Scarring Treatable?
Acne scarring is best treated by prevention. However, if it has occurred there are many treatments for improving acne scars. You should discuss this with your dermatologist as different types and different severities of scarring requires different approaches.
How is it Treated?
Acne scarring is treated in three main ways. Surface scarring is usually treated by resurfacing the skin with dermabrasion, lasers and sometimes with chemical peels. Deeper scarring is usually treated by filling the area of scarring with an individual's own tissues (punch grafting, dermal grafting, fat transfer) or using injectable or implanted agents (collagen, hyaluronic acid, acrylates, Gore-tex®). Thirdly deep thick scars may be be broken free or separated from surface skin by a process called dermal undermining.
Are There Risks Involved With Treatment
Risks depend on the technique used. Resurfacing may cause short or long term problems with pigment (skin colour). This may be either increased skin colour (hyperpigmentation) and is usually temporary or decreased skin colour (hypopigmentation) that may be long term. Scarring, infection and persistent redness are also possible. The deeper agents used for filling the scars have a different range of potential problems, including allergy or incorrect positioning. Many potential side effects are temporary, but not all side effects resolve or improve with time.
Based on information provided to the Australasian College of Dermatologists
by Dr Greg J Goodman
Last Modified 4 March, 2001 Dr John R Sullivan / © 2001 Australasian College of Dermatologists |
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