Acne scars are a bit different from regular scars. Usually when a person suffers from an injury that results in a scar, the scar is located directly on top of the skin. However, acne causes damage within the skin tissue. Therefore, acne scars affect not only the surface of the skin, but the tissue within the skin as well. This type of scarring leaves shallow to deep depressions that affect the appearance of the skin’s surface and can be very difficult to treat or eliminate.

The Types Of Acne Scars

Boxcar Acne Scars

These scars usually appear on the cheeks or close to the temples. Boxcar scars closely resemble the scars left by chickenpox and are well defined in appearance. The edges of these scars are sharper than more other scars and may appear a bit boxy.

Rolling Scars

Rolling scars are large scars that leave shallow impressions on the skin. They are called rolling scars because they create a rolling or wavy texture on the skin when in close proximity to one another.

Ice Pick Scars

Ice pick scars are thin, deep scars in the skin that appear as they could have been made by an ice pick. These scars are the most common of all acne scars and are generally the kind of scars that one associates with acne. While ice pick scars are common, they can vary in depth and severity depending on how severe one’s acne is.

Hypertrophic

Hypertrophic scars are the opposite of the other acne scars. Instead of causing a depression in the skin, hypertrophic scars actually cause a bump to form on the skin. This type of acne scarring is due to the tissue growing past the initial wound, which leaves scars larger than the original blemish. Fortunately, these scars are also known to decrease in size as time passes.

Keloid scars

Keloid scars are similar to hypertrophic scars as they appear as a raised scar on the skin. Unfortunately, these scars can be even larger than hypertrophic scars and may sometimes cause an itching sensation. Keloid scars are also not known to shrink or decrease in size over time, as hypertrophic scars are.