| Acne scars are difficult to treat even if it is | | | | stretching it out. These scars mostly appear on |
| common. Its treatment is a process, which | | | | the cheeks. These types of scars are difficult to |
| includes the identification of its type. After that, | | | | treat because they are resistant to treatment. |
| the different issues that the patient faces are | | | | 3. Depressed fibrotic scars - These are lager |
| discussed. Only then, will the different options of | | | | types of scars are larger than the others. It is |
| treatment be presented. The patient should | | | | characterized by sharp edges with steep sides. |
| understand that even though the scars can | | | | These scars could be a product of the evolution |
| improve, there is a slim chance that it will be | | | | of ice pick scars. However, this is normally the |
| restored to its original structure. | | | | result of severe acne lesions, which involve cystic |
| Since the identification of the different types of | | | | and nodular acne. |
| acne scars is important for its treatment, the | | | | 4. Atrophic scar macules - these types of scar |
| different types of scars are presented below. | | | | are small when they appear on the face. |
| There are generally two types of acne scars. One | | | | However, it is larger when it is found in the body. |
| is with increased skin tissue and the other is the | | | | The scar is soft. It may have a wrinkled base at |
| loss of skin tissue. These two are further | | | | times. It usually has a bluish color because of the |
| classified into subcategories. | | | | blood vessel that is underneath it. Over time, it |
| Increased skin tissue - these types of acne occur | | | | changes its color to ivory white, which makes it |
| when there is overproduction of collagen. | | | | less visible. |
| 1. Hypertrophic scars - These scars are raised | | | | 5. Follicular macular atrophy - This type of scar is |
| that are within the boundaries of the original | | | | usually found at the back or at the chest of the |
| wound. These types of scars may decrease in | | | | acne sufferer. They appear like whiteheads that |
| size as time passes. The word hypertrophy | | | | failed to develop fully. Another term given this |
| means overgrowth or enlargement. | | | | condition is perifollicular elastolysis. It may take |
| 2. Keloid scars - Like the hypertrophic scars, | | | | months, even years before it disappears. |
| these too are enlarged scars. However, unlike the | | | | 6. Rolling scars - These scars look like waves or |
| above-mentioned scars, these scars go beyond | | | | like hills that do not have sharp edges. |
| the boundaries of the original wound. It is firm and | | | | 7. Box-car scars - these scars are flat and they |
| rubbery to the touch and may sometimes itch. | | | | have u-shaped bases. These scars are broader |
| Loss of skin tissues - These are actually more | | | | than ice-pick scars and they have angular edges |
| common than the acne scars due to increased | | | | with. They look more similar with the chickenpox |
| skin tissues. | | | | scar. |
| 1. Acne spots - these are characterized as flat | | | | 8. Soft scars - they are deep and soft to touch. |
| discoloration. Common colors for acne spots are | | | | They are small and may have circular or linear |
| brown and red. They slowly disappear on their | | | | shape. |
| own but patients may also use topical products. | | | | Experts need to identify the type of acne scar |
| 2. Ice-pick lesions - another term for this is the | | | | you have to be able to recommend the right |
| pitted scars. These are round scars with deep | | | | treatment. One must understand though, that |
| depression. They can be shallow or deep. They | | | | although scars can be treated gradually. It would |
| can be either soft or hard to the touch. If your | | | | be less likely to completely restore the skin to its |
| ice pick scar is soft, you can improve it by | | | | original state. |