Different Types of Acne Scars

Any burn, injury, or trauma like surgery can cause scars on skin. Of all kinds, acne scars are most distressing and widely discussed topic in the world.

Acne scars are common to teenagers as well as adults. They are not just unsightly but can cost you your confidence too.

To treat them, it is necessary to know the type of scar one has. Yes! Scars too have types.

Essentially there are four type of major acne scars. They are listed below:


Ice Pick Scars

Deep, narrow scars that appear like the skin has been pierced with a sharp object such as an ice pick are called ice pick scars.

They seem to make a small but deep hole in the skin which may look like a large, open pore.

An infection from a cyst or other deep inflamed blemishes can cause ice pick scars. The skin tissue is destroyed leaving a long column-like scar.

This type of scar can be treated through punch incision or punch grafting.

Boxcar scars

They are round or oval incisions with steep vertical sides. These scars are wider than the ice pick scars and give the skin a pitted appearance.

When acne destroys the collagen, tissue is lost. The skin above this area is left without support and a depression is formed.

Boxcar scars can be mild to severe, depending upon the amount of tissue lost.

Treatment for Boxcar scars include elevation, dermal fillers and laser resurfacing.

Rolling Scars

This type of scar is usually wave-like motion across a normal appearing skin.

When the fibrous bands of tissue develop between the skin and the tissue living below it, rolling scars are formed.

These bands pull the epidermis, binding it to the deeper structures of the skin.

This pulling of epidermis from within creates the wave-like appearance on the skin.

These types of scars can be treated with subcision.

Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars

This scar looks like a raised, firm mass of tissue. They often grow larger than the original acne.

Hypertrophic scars are mostly found on the torso, especially in men.

These scars are caused by an over-production of soften scar tissue unlike boxcar and ice pick scars that are caused by a loss of tissues.

These types of scars can be treated with steroid creams or injections that help shrink and flatten the scar. Interferon injections are also used for this purpose.