Acne scars can be treated but the improvement is partial. That is why early treatment of moderate to severe acne is so important. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Types of acne scars:
- Boxcar scars are broad, punched-out depressions with sharp vertical edges that move straight down into the skin
- Ice pick scars are small indentations with steep edges that narrow to a point as they reach down into the ski n. They look like punctures caused by an ice pick.
- Rolling scars are shallow and wide with sloped edges, giving the skin a “rolling” or wavy, uneven appearance.
- Keloids are raised scars with a shiny or smooth surface and a firm or rubbery feel. They may be itchy and painful. Keloids can occur from acne anywhere on the body but is more prone in areas such as the shoulders, upper back and chest. Asians and Africans are more prone to keloids.
Treatment of scars
- Keloids can be treated with intralesional steroids.
- Acne scars can be treated with a variety of methods including chemical peels, chemical reconstruction, laser resurfacing, fractional laser or laser toning, subcision, punch excision with or without elevation and grafting, dermabrasion, microneedling and dermal fillers.
- A combination of treatments may be necessary as patients may have more than one type of acne scars.
- The results are variable and need to be discussed with the doctor. Hence, it is best to treat acne early so as to prevent scars (see Acne).