What are Acne Scars?

Acne scars are usually the result of inflamed blemishes caused by skin pores engorged with excess oil, dead skin cells and bacteria. The pore swells, causing a break in the follicle wall. Shallow lesions usually heal more quickly.

Types of Acne Scars

Atrophic Scars – An atrophic scar is an indented scar that heals below the normal layer of skin tissue. Atrophic scars form when the skin is unable to regenerate tissue. As a result, it leaves behind imbalanced scarring.

Atrophic scars are often the result of severe acne

Hypertrophic Scars – A hypertrophic scar is a thick raised scar that is an abnormal response to wound healing process. They more commonly occur in taut skin areas following skin trauma, burns or surgical incisions.

Treatments include medication, freezing, injections, lasers and surgery.

Post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation (PIH) – PIH are those dark marks or spots left behind after a pimple heals. They can be more aggravating and distressing than pimples. PIH is discolouration of the skin that remains after a wound heals. It is the skin’s natural response to inflammation

Topical Applications:

• Alpha hydroxy acids

• Lactic acid

• Retinoids

• Salicylic acid