Acne Scarring

What is acne scarring?

Acne scars can develop from superficial and deep acne lesions leading to textural changes. While some scars fade over time, others require professional treatment to improve their appearance. True acne scars are either depressed or raised. Depressed or atrophic scars are caused by loss of tissue while raised/hypertrophic scars are caused by too much scar tissue.

Other “scars” include brown discoloration (post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or pink discoloration (post inflammatory erythema). These are not true scars and are typically not permanent.

Scarring can occur independent of picking/manipulating acne lesions and even despite treating acne. Genetic predisposition and severity/type of acne can also lead to scarring.

Treatment options for acne scars

There are several treatment options available for acne scarring. Non-invasive or minimally invasive treatments include medical grade creams, retinoids and skin-brightening agents. Chemical peels can help exfoliate the skin to reduce pigmentation and improve superficial scarring. Microneedling can help stimulate collagen production for smooth depressed scars. More advanced treatments include fractional laser resurfacing for stimulation of new collagen growth and IPL (intense pulse light) to target redness and pigmentation.

Contact board-certified dermatologist Dr. Austin Newsome for evaluation and discussion of appropriate treatment options for your acne scarring. Her practice is in Rolesville, North Carolina.